Electrical distribution and transmission
UAV applications for power lines inspection and maintenance.
Overhead Power Line Inspection by Drone
The inspection of overhead power lines, whether medium or high voltage, is essential to ensure the reliability of the electricity distribution and transmission network.
Drones now offer an efficient solution for inspecting power lines and electricity transmission pylons. Equipped with high-definition optical cameras and thermal sensors, our drones enable precise diagnostics to be carried out safely.
Thanks to these technologies, grid operators can:
- Detect faults invisible to the naked eye
- Monitor the structural condition of pylons and paint corrosion
- Observe vegetation near the lines
- Plan preventive or corrective maintenance interventions
Assessment of Electrical Grid Integrity
Hydro-Québec, Canada’s largest electricity producer, and DRONE VOLT have developed the LineDrone for high-voltage power line inspection.
This drone offers a non-intrusive and highly precise technology for assessing the health of power lines.
Equipped with two onboard sensors, the LineDrone can carry out various non-destructive inspection missions.
LineOhm: enables non-destructive evaluation of the electrical resistance of compression splice sleeves on electrical conductors, allowing for accurate maintenance planning.
LineCore: enables live-line assessment of corrosion and early detection of the zinc layer’s degradation process using a non-destructive method. The LineCore probe checks and measures the remaining thickness of the galvanic protection.
Drone-Based Installation of DLR Sensors
Our LineDrone, specially designed to operate safely on live high-voltage power lines, is redefining the standards of intelligent power grid inspection.
Thanks to its advanced technology, it enables the installation of DLR (Dynamic Line Rating) sensors directly onto conductors—without power interruption or ground-based human intervention.
This innovative process significantly reduces operational costs and supports the modernisation of electrical infrastructure, paving the way for more efficient and predictive grid management.
- Lower installation costs
- Reduced intervention time
- Enhanced technician safety
- Deployment on live lines
Power Line Stringing by Drone
Thanks to drones, high-voltage power lines can be strung from one transmission pylon to another in a safer, faster, and more cost-effective way than traditional methods such as helicopters or manual stringing. Energy sector companies can now reduce operational costs and save time by stringing power lines with drones.
How does it work?
The drone carries an ultra-lightweight, thin, and highly resistant pilot line. This guide cable is laid across the transmission tower to reach the ground team, who will then install the final conductor.
This drone-based method reduces both human and material risks compared to traditional approaches like helicopters or pylon climbing by operators.
- Avoids human risks
- Reduces operational costs
- Fast deployment
Grid Mapping and Vegetation Monitoring
Drone mapping using LiDAR or RGB cameras combined with an RTK system enables the capture of high-resolution images of electrical networks, safely and at reduced cost.
Mapping the electrical grid by drone allows the inspection of thousands of kilometres of power lines, helping to optimise network maintenance and planning.
It also enables vegetation monitoring, verification of maintenance work and services carried out by operators or external companies, as well as the assessment of the general condition of the power lines.
- Reduced costs
- Time savings
- No power outages
- Eliminates human risk
Rely on Our Experts for Your Power Line Inspections
Drone Volt Expert is our department dedicated to drone service operations in the field of electrical networks.
We support infrastructure operators with the inspection, diagnostics, and mapping of their power lines, using cutting-edge technology and certified drone pilots.
Our missions include visual and thermal inspections, carried out safely without service interruption, as well as specialised operations using our LineDrone, which can land directly on live power lines. This enables high-precision and rapid analyses of corrosion, electrical resistance, or the installation of DLR (Dynamic Line Rating) sensors.
We also conduct photogrammetry and LiDAR surveys for detailed mapping of electrical networks, vegetation monitoring, and support for predictive maintenance.
By combining technical expertise, continuous innovation, and strict adherence to safety standards, Drone Volt Expert has established itself as a trusted partner for optimising the performance and sustainability of electrical infrastructure.
[su_accordion class=””] [su_spoiler title=”Are you an electrical transmission or distribution company or a service prodvider? Do you operate transmission grid and secure electricity supply for your customers? Do you want to improve and optimize your electrical network maintenance operations?” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Alabama Power, a part of the Southern Company, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, Inc., Wiregrass Electric Cooperative, Tennessee Valley Authority, Golden Valley Electric Association, Chugach Electric Association, Copper Valley Electric Association, Municipal Light & Power, Kodiak Electric Association, Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project, Tucson Electric Power, Entergy, Azusa Light & Water, East Bay Municipal Utility District, Glendale Public Service Department, Gridley Municipal Utilities, Healdsburg Municipal Electric Department, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Merced Irrigation District, Modesto Irrigiation District, Nevada Irrigation District, Placer County Water Agency, Pacific Gas & Electric, Pacific Power, Riverside Public Utilities, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Santa Clara Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric, Sierra-Pacific Power, Southern California Edison, Southern California Public Power Authority, Turlock Irrigation District, California Department of Water Resources, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Pasadena Water & Power, Burbank Water & Power, Anaheim Public Utilities, Xcel Energy, Northeast Utilities, United Illuminating, Delmarva Power and Light, PEPCO, Florida Power & Light, TECO, Progress Energy Florida, Lake Worth Utilities, JEA, Gulf Power Company, Kissimmee Utility Authority, Ocala Electric, Florida Public Utility Company Palm Beach, Florida Municipal Power Agency, LCEC, Georgia Power, Flint Energies,, Tennessee Valley Authority, Hawaiian Electric Industries (HECO), IDACORP, PacifiCorp (Rocky Mountain Power), ComEd, Ameren, Duke Energy, Indianapolis Power & Light, Northern Indiana Public Service Company, American Electric Power, MidAmerican Energy, Kansas City Power & Light, Westar Energy, Kansas City Board of Public Utilities, Kentucky Utilities, Louisville Gas & Electric, Duke Energy, American Electric PowerOwensboro Municipal Utilities, SWEPCO (a subsidiary of American Electric Power), Entergy, CLECO, Central Maine Power, Bangor Hydro Electric, Allegheny Power, Baltimore Gas & Electric, Choptank Electric Cooperative, Delmarva Power, PEPCO, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative,, Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), NSTAR, Northeast Utilities (including Western Massachusetts Electric, Berkshire Company/WMECO), National Grid (including Nantucket Electric and Massachusetts Electric), Peabody Municipal Light Plant, Consumers Energy, DTE Energy/(Detroit Edison), We Energies, American Electric Power, Wyandotte Municipal Services City of Wyandotte only, Holland Board of Public Works, Lansing Board of Water & Light, Entergy, Southwest Mississippi Electric Power Association, Magnolia Electric, Mississippi Power company, a part of the Southern Company, Tennessee Valley Authority, Great River Energy (and its 28-member cooperatives), Minnkota Power Cooperative (and its 11-member cooperatives), Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Dairyland Power Co-op, East River Electric Power Co-op, Hutchinson Utilities Commission, Interstate Power and Light Company, L&O Power Co-op, Marshall Municipal Utilities, Minnesota Power, Minnetonka Power Co-op, Missouri River Energy, Otter Tail Power Company, Rochester Public Utilities Commission, Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, Willmar Municipal Utilities, Freeborn-Mower Co-op Services, People’s Co-op, Tri-County Electric Ameren, Kansas City Power & Light, Empire District Electric, Aquila, City Utilities of Springfield, Independence Power and Light Central Montana Electric Power Cooperative, MDU, Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association (and its 25-member cooperatives), NorthWestern Energy, Omaha Public Power District, Nebraska Public Power District, Nevada Power, Sierra Pacific Power, Northeast Utilities (including Public Service of NH), National Grid (including Granite State Electric), Atlantic City Electric (A subsidiary of Exelon), Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), Northeast Utilities, FirstEnergy, Jersey Central Power and Light Company (A subsidiary of GPU Energy, which is a subsidiary of GPU; all of which is now part of FirstEnergy), Vineland Municipal Electric Utility(the only municipal-owned utility in New Jersey), Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative (the only Electric Utility Cooperative in New Jersey), Public Service Company of New Mexico, New York (Con Edison), Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), Northeast Utilities, National Grid (including Niagara Mohawk), New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG), Rochester Gas & Electric, Progress Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy, ElectriCities, North Carolina Electric Membership Corp., Otter Tail Power Company, MDU, Central Power Electric Cooperative, Minnkota Power Cooperative, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Upper Missouri G&T Cooperative, Duke Energy, FirstEnergy (Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison), AEP Ohio, Dayton, Power & Light, South Central Power Company, Consolidated Electric Cooperative, Oklahoma Gas & Electric, Public Service Company of Oklahoma (part of American Electric Power), Columbia River Public Utility District, Eugene Water & Electric Board, PacifiCorp (Pacific Power), Portland General Electric, West Oregon Electric Cooperative, Northeast Utilities, Rural valley electric Co. FirstEnergy (Penn Power, Met-Ed, Penelec), PECO, Allegheny Power, PPL, Duquesne Light, Citizens Electric of Lewisburg, Pike County Light & Power Company, UGI Utilities, Inc. and Wellsboro Electric Company, Autoridad de Energía Electrica, EcoEléctrica, Northeast Utilities, National Grid (including Narragansett Electric), South Carolina – Santee Cooper, Duke Energy, Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc., Progress Energy Carolinas, South Carolina Electric & Gas Company, Otter Tail Power Company, Northwestern Energy, Black Hills Power, East River Electric Cooperative, Rushmore Electric Cooperative, Citizens Utilities Board, Electric Power Board, Knoxville Utilities Board, Kingsport Power (Appalachian Power), Lenoir City Utilities Board, Memphis Light, Gas and Water, Nashville Electric Service, Tennessee Valley Authority, AEP Texas, Austin Energy, CPS Energy, dPi Energy, Electric Database Publishing, Entergy, Garland Power and Light, Lower Colorado River Authority, Reliant Energy, CenterPoint Energy, Texas Electric Service Company, TXU Energy, Intermountain Power Agency, Central Vermont Public Service, Green Mountain Power, Allegheny Power, Appalachian Power, Dominion Virginia Power, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, PacifiCorp (Pacific Power), Puget Sound Energy, Seattle City Light, Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD), Mason County Public Utility District 3, Klickitat Public Utility District, Cowlitz County PUD, Clark County PUD, Asotin County PUD, Benton County PUD, Chelan County PUD, Clallam County PUD, Douglas County PUD, Ferry County PUD, Franklin County PUD, Grant County PUD, Grays Harbor County PUD, Jefferson County PUD, Kitsap County PUD, Kittitas County PUD, Lewis County PUD, Okanogan County PUD, Pacific County PUD, Pend Oreille County PUD, Skagit County PUD, Skamania County PUD, Stevens County PUD, Thurston County PUD, Wahkiakum County PUD, Whatcom County PUD, Allegheny Power, Appalachian Power, Wheeling Electric Power (AEP Ohio), We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service Corp., Madison Gas and Electric, Wisconsin Power & Light, Lower Valley Energy, OST sh.a (OST), Transnet BW, TenneT, Amprion et 50Hertz, Power Grid AG (APG) et Vorarlberger, Übertragungsnetz GmbH (VUEN), Elia, Nezavisni operator sustava u Bosni i Hercegovini (NOS BiH), Electroenergien Sistemen Operator EAD (ESO), Cyprus TSO, HEP-Operator prijenosnog sustava (HOPS), Danemark Energinet.dk, Red Eléctrica de España, Réseau de transport d’électricité (RTE), Elering AS, Fingrid Oyj, Independent Power Transmission Operator S.A. (IPTO), Mavir ZRt, EirGrid plc, Islande, Landsnet, Terna, AS Augstsprieguma tÏkls, Litgrid AB, Creos Luxembourg, Macedonian Transmission System, Operator AD (MEPSO), Crnogorski elektroprenosni sistem AD, Statnett, TenneT, Polskie Sieci, Elektroenergetyczne S.A. (PSE S.A.), Rede Eléctrica Nacional (REN), ČEPS, Transelectrica, National Grid, System Operator for Northern Irland Ltd (SONI), Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SHE Transmission) et Scottish Power Transmission plc (SPTransmission), Akcionarsko društvo Elektromreža, Srbije (EMS), Slovenská elektrizačná prenosová sústava, a.s. (SEPS), ELES, Svenska Kraftnät, Swissgrid, TEİAŞ, Hydro Quebec, ATCO, TC Energy.[/su_spoiler]
[su_spoiler title=”Do you want to hire our drone pilots for your aerial electricity network inspection?” open=”no” style=”default” icon=”plus” anchor=”” class=””]Contact us to get more information on our UAVs and services by drone.[/su_spoiler] [/su_accordion]
Our dedicated drone fleet for the inspection of electrical distribution and transmission networks.
Discover all our professional drones for electric power transmission network inspection and power lines mapping.
