Drone technology takes flight: working on dam safety inspections - International Water PowerDrone technology is playing an increasingly larger r...
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network
Drone technology is playing an increasingly larger role within dam safety inspections
Just a few years ago, it would have sounded more like a scene from a science fiction film but now pilotless drones look set to play a greater role in maintaining the safety of critical infrastructure, such as dams and hydropower projects.
In the US, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) has received its first federal approval to conduct fully remote drone operations, such as asset and vegetative management inspections, at its Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project in Schoharie County. NYPA’s growing drone programme supports its asset management strategies and is part of an authority-wide digitisation initiative to modernise grid infrastructure.
“The power authority is proud to be leading the way in the advanced deployment of automated flight technologies for use in the utility industry,” said Justin E. Driscoll, New York Power Authority Acting President and CEO. “Drones will become an even more valuable tool as we expand our capability to detect infrastructure issues and support our mapping and land management responsibilities. Being able to capture images remotely, regardless of weather conditions or distances, will allow us to track and evaluate our assets more efficiently and safely.”
NYPA has been granted a waiver by the Federal Aviation Administration that allows operators to conduct operations without the requirement for the pilot or an observer to see the unmanned aircraft, or to scan the surrounding airspace throughout the entire flight. Routes, however, must be pre-planned and the drone must remain within 50 feet above ground level or within 50 feet of structures.
https://www.nypa.gov/news/press-releases/2023/20230216-drone
Media
Taxonomy
- Dams
- Flood damage
- Non Destructive Testing of Dams
- Damage Insurance
- Drones