Utilities Gear Up for BVLOS Operations Amid Post-DJI Industry Changes
Challenges Faced by Utilities in Drone Program Development
By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill
Electric utility companies, early adopters of drone technology, are currently navigating a landscape of new challenges and opportunities. These include anticipated regulations for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations and government pressures to phase out certain foreign-made drones from their fleets.
Regulatory Changes and Their Impact
During the InnovateEnergy Week conference in The Woodlands, Texas, representatives from the electric power sector discussed the hurdles they face in developing effective drone programs that meet operational needs while remaining cost-efficient.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is in the process of finalizing the Part 108 rule, which aims to standardize BVLOS operations for commercial drones. Jason Goodick, UAS manager for Entergy, noted that while the new regulations could facilitate extended BVLOS flights, they may have limited benefits for certain applications, such as inspecting long-distance power lines after storms.
Goodick explained that the substantial amount of data collected during inspections—up to a terabyte from a single 20-mile flight—poses significant challenges in data management. The time required to process and analyze this data can hinder rapid response efforts in storm recovery situations.
As a result, Entergy often opts for shorter inspection flights of two to three miles during emergencies, which allows for quicker assessments and repairs.
In-House Drone Operations
Entergy employs approximately 100 trained UAS pilots for its inspection work, which Goodick believes yields better results compared to outsourcing to third-party contractors. He emphasized the cost efficiency of using in-house personnel for storm damage assessments.
Southern Company’s Approach
Tim Hadaway, UAS operations lead for Southern Company, echoed similar sentiments regarding the importance of in-house drone operations. The company, which serves around 9 million customers, employs about 190 UAV pilots. Hadaway highlighted the commitment and care that full-time employees bring to projects, contrasting it with the performance of contractors.
Southern Company has transitioned away from using DJI drones due to regulatory concerns and is now utilizing Skydio X10s and Alta X drones, along with SwissDrones for LiDAR missions. One significant challenge the company faces is obtaining airspace access over disaster areas, often requiring a Certificate of Authorization (COA) to operate within temporary flight restrictions.
Additionally, Southern Company has secured a BVLOS waiver that allows for extended operations over its infrastructure, which is particularly beneficial in remote areas.
Transitioning Drone Technology
Both Entergy and Southern Company are moving away from DJI drones. Goodick mentioned that while Entergy continues to use DJI equipment for its ease of use and superior optics, the company is actively seeking alternatives. He expressed confidence in the cybersecurity measures in place to mitigate any potential risks associated with using DJI products.
Goodick noted that Entergy has implemented systems to ensure that DJI equipment does not connect to its network infrastructure, and any collected imagery undergoes thorough checks for security threats.
Despite the challenges, both companies remain focused on enhancing their drone programs to improve operational efficiency and safety in their respective service areas.