Renewable energies :

Some forms of renewable energy can benefit from the use of drones for a variety of tasks. Here are just a few examples:

• Solar energy :

Drones equipped with cameras, particularly thermal ones, can be used to visually inspect solar panels for damage, cracks or areas of dirt that reduce their efficiency. Thanks to their flight ranges, they can easily access equipment installed at height, as well as cover large areas equivalent to fields of photovoltaic panels.

• Wind power :

The main applications of drones for this type of energy are :

• 3D modeling of wind farms, where drones can map these farms and generate precise 3D models of the terrain, wind turbines and surrounding infrastructure; this modeling can also be used to plan the location of wind turbines, optimize their performance and facilitate maintenance;
• Wind turbines are increasingly inspected using drones, which can carry out visual inspections of the condition of blades, nacelles and other components; the high-resolution images thus captured can help detect potential problems, such as damage, cracks or wear, without the need for human intervention at height.

   

• Hydroelectric power :

When inspecting equipment such as dams, including walls, spillways, canals and associated structures, the images and videos captured by drones provide valuable information on the condition of installations, enabling potential problems to be identified and maintenance work to be planned.

• Geothermal energy :

The production of this energy requires the use of a range of geophysical sensors. Thanks to their miniaturization, drones can be equipped with thermal, geomagnetic, gravimetric and seismic sensors. This makes it possible to map and assess a region's geothermal potential by collecting data on temperatures, heat flows and subsoil density.

It should be noted that while the use of a thermal camera with a drone is commonplace, the integration of other equipment on a drone requires a very high level of technical expertise, for example to calibrate these sensors.

Nuclear power :

In the nuclear industry, drones are a versatile tool for improving the efficiency, safety and management of nuclear facilities. They can be deployed during the following phases:

• Nuclear facility inspections :

To carry out visual inspections of nuclear facilities, the use of a drone is a solution for capturing high-resolution images and videos to assess the condition of equipment, check the integrity of structures and detect any problems or faults.

• Plant maintenance :

Similarly, to facilitate maintenance operations at nuclear facilities, drones can provide real-time information on equipment, helping to plan maintenance activities.

• Site safety and security :

Thanks to their range of flight, drones can monitor large perimeters such as those found on a nuclear power plant, detecting potential intrusions and providing an overview in real time. These same image captures are also useful for detecting any technical problems that could have consequences for site safety.

One prospect is radiological surveillance, which will use dedicated sensors to monitor and measure radiation levels in sensitive nuclear zones. As nuclear safety regulations are very strict to guarantee protection against risks, the use of a drone in this context will require highly skilled operators and guarantees of the quality of the equipment used.

Fossil fuels :

The use of drones in the various stages of oil and gas production is of real technical and financial interest, with significant benefits in terms of efficiency, safety and data collection. From exploration to delivery, here's how drones can be used in every stage of these processes:

• Exploration :

During this phase, by combining a drone with techniques such as aerial thermography and 3D mapping, geophysical and geological surveys can be carried out. These techniques help to identify potential reserve areas and to plan drilling operations more precisely.

• Drilling :

During the drilling phase, the use of drones enables rigs to be monitored in real time, reducing risks to workers and improving operational efficiency. Still using aerial photos or videos, drilling equipment such as wellheads, circulation systems and safety devices can be easily inspected. With a thermal camera, it is possible to monitor temperature and detect any abnormal overheating.

• Extraction :

Drones can also be useful in the extraction phase, this time to inspect oil and gas wells. They provide images and videos to assess the integrity of installations, detect fluid leaks visually or thermally, as well as any damage or corrosion problems.

• Refining :

In the refining phase, drones are used to inspect critical refinery equipment, such as tanks, distillation towers and process units. They detect anomalies, leaks and potential damage, enabling proactive maintenance and reducing unplanned downtime.

• Routing :

There are many ways of doing this, and drones are particularly useful for pipelines. They carry out regular inspections to detect leaks, damage or changes in infrastructure integrity. This ensures the safety of transport operations and minimizes environmental risks. The use of a thermal camera will help detect temperature variations associated with leaks, even if they are not visible to the naked eye.

The use of drones in every stage of operations offers significant benefits, such as rapid surveys, accurate inspections, early detection of problems, improved worker safety and reduced inspection costs. Drones contribute to the efficient and responsible management of fossil resources, while minimizing potential environmental impacts.

Conclusion

The use of drones in the renewable, nuclear and fossil fuel energy sectors offers significant advantages in terms of operational efficiency, safety and facility management.

• In renewable energies, drones enable precise monitoring of wind and solar farms, facilitating proactive maintenance and production optimization;
• In the nuclear industry, drones are versatile tools for inspection, radiation monitoring and access to complex areas, improving plant safety and maintenance;
• As for fossil fuels, drones are used to monitor extraction sites, inspect infrastructures and detect leaks, contributing to the efficiency and safety of operations.

By fully exploiting the capabilities of drones, the production of these 3 types of energy benefits from better management, reduced costs and minimized environmental risks. The integration of drones in these industries marks an important evolution towards more efficient and sustainable practices.

FAQ

• What are the advantages of using drones in the renewable energy industry?

In the renewable energy industry, the benefits of using drones include efficient plant monitoring, improved preventive maintenance and production optimization thanks to precise inspections.

• How are drones used to inspect wind and solar farms?

For wind and solar farm inspections, drones are used to provide detailed visual data to assess equipment condition, detect anomalies and maximize plant performance.

• What types of sensors and cameras are used by drones in the renewable energy sector?

Drones can be equipped with specific sensors and cameras, such as thermal cameras and light and spectrum measurement sensors, enabling comprehensive and accurate data collection in the renewable energy sector.

• What are the benefits of using drones in the nuclear industry?

In the nuclear industry, the use of drones offers advantages such as safe inspection of facilities, radiation monitoring and access to hard-to-reach areas.

• How are drones used to inspect and monitor nuclear facilities?

Drones are used to inspect and monitor nuclear facilities, providing high-resolution images for equipment integrity assessment, leak detection and preventive maintenance.

• What are the regulations and legal requirements for using drones in the nuclear sector?

While regulations on the use of drones are becoming more uniform across EU member states, legal requirements for the use of drones in the nuclear sector vary from country to country, with particular emphasis on safety, confidentiality and radiation risk management.

• How can drones contribute to the safety and maintenance of fossil-fuel power plants?

Drones contribute to the safety and maintenance of fossil energy facilities by providing regular inspections of extraction sites, detecting leaks and potential damage, and optimizing operational efficiency.

• What types of drones are used to inspect pipelines and oil and gas installations?

While multi-rotor UAVs are the most common, a fixed-wing UAV can be an even more appropriate solution, as it enables you to cover long distances. Used to inspect pipelines and oil and gas installations, they are capable of delivering high-resolution images. Other alternatives include VTOLs and helicopter-type drones.

• How do drones help detect oil and gas leaks in fossil fuel infrastructures?

Drones help detect oil and gas leaks in fossil energy infrastructures, using thermal and multispectral cameras and gas sensors to identify thermal anomalies and gas emissions.

• What are the future prospects for the use of drones in the renewable, nuclear and fossil fuel energy sectors?

The growing use of drones in the renewable, nuclear and fossil fuel energy sectors is opening up promising prospects in terms of efficiency, safety and management, while fostering technological innovation for more sustainable exploitation of energy resources.