A devastating wildfire in California in 2018 was sparked by a failed equipment failure on a transmission line, highlighting the urgent need for improved grid inspections. Current methods rely heavily on crewed helicopters, which can be costly and pose risks to operators. The solution lies in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), but the industry requires regulatory clarity.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 108 rule governs beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations for drones. A new executive order from President Trump aims to accelerate this process, requiring the agency to submit a BVLOS rule proposal within 30 days and finalize it within 240 days.
UAVs offer significant advantages over traditional helicopters. They can be automated to fly identical patterns repeatedly, capturing vast amounts of data that can be analyzed using AI to identify changes and detect early warning signs of equipment failures. This technology has the potential to reduce crew risk, fuel burn, and costs.
The proposed regulation will enable widespread BVLOS allowances for UAVs in the energy industry, paving the way for the integration of drones into grid inspections. As the next generation of infrastructure inspections emerges, it promises to be safer and more efficient than ever before.
Source: https://www.utilitydive.com/news/faa-uav-drones-utility-inspection-bvlos/756610