Drones in Green space management

Power lines are among the most sensitive parts of our infrastructure – their condition determines security of supply, risks of failure, and long-term sustainability. As part of a joint research project with EVN, Dronetech is developing modern, drone-supported methods to inspect the power grid of the future with greater precision, speed, and resource efficiency.

Our drones are equipped with high-precision LiDAR technology, which generates detailed point clouds along the power lines in the shortest possible time. This data allows for precise measurement of cable sag and early detection of changes. At the same time, areas are identified where vegetation could potentially grow into the route. Particularly critical treetops or fast-growing areas can be clearly filtered out and are subsequently located in a digital risk model. The advantage of this method lies in its exceptional accuracy: even the smallest deviations, which could later lead to dangerous situations, become visible and can be addressed in a timely manner.

Beyond simple measurement, the combination of drone flights and intelligent data processing creates a comprehensive, three-dimensional image of the entire pipeline. This model forms the basis for further analyses – for instance, where future risks may arise or which areas require particular attention in upcoming maintenance cycles. The processed results can be seamlessly integrated into platforms like Google Earth or Google Maps, making the planning of measures intuitive and clear. Deployment teams can prepare their missions more precisely, deploy resources more effectively, and significantly reduce travel.

Drone-based inspection therefore not only supports the immediate safety of the power grid, but also enables a completely new, predictive maintenance approach. Instead of reacting only when damage occurs, critical points can be de-escalated preventatively – a crucial contribution to avoiding outages, reducing repair costs, and securing long-term grid stability. The collaboration with EVN impressively demonstrates how modern technologies help to ensure a sustainable supply security while simultaneously reducing the ecological footprint of grid maintenance.