The UK’s
National Grid has launched what it says is the world’s first centralised, autonomous aerial inspection capability for electricity infrastructure, with a system from
Sees.ai, a UK-based
Boeing-backed company developing autonomous aerial solutions that allows drones to fly ‘beyond visual line of sight’ (BVLOS) close to live power infrastructure while being piloted from a central control room.
The drones capture images and data of National Grid’s infrastructure, primarily high-voltage towers (pylons) and conductors (cables). This data is then used to help to inform National Grid’s maintenance and investment programmes throughout its transmission network in England and Wales.
Kathryn Fairhurst, National Grid’s overhead line operations director, said: “This roll-out underscores our commitment to use innovative technologies to manage and upgrade our network. By handling non-intrusive inspection tasks, this technology enables our line workers to focus more efficiently on the complex, hands-on work that requires human expertise; the technology will also form an important part of how we continue to manage our assets and deliver a safe and reliable network.”
Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “We want to see more innovations like drone technology becoming viable solutions that benefit people’s lives, which is why our Regulatory Innovation Office is working with companies and regulators like the Civil Aviation Authority to cut unnecessary red tape and unlock discoveries that can grow our economy.”
Sees.ai’s CEO John McKenna concluded: “National Grid’s willingness to invest in and deploy emerging technologies demonstrates the kind of forward-thinking approach that will be essential for utilities worldwide as we navigate the energy transition. The contract with National Grid validates the maturity of our technology and shows what is possible when infrastructure, innovation, and regulation align to support long-term energy goals.”