For five months, Union Fenosa Distribucion, the Spanish electricity distribution subsidiary of Gas Natural Fenosa, has been using drones to check more than 250km of high voltage power lines and 1,000 support structures in the province of Leon, northwest Spain. The company says it is now able to monitor all its customers at once, with a view to improving reliability and reducing costs.
For five months, Union Fenosa Distribucion, the Spanish electricity distribution subsidiary of Gas Natural Fenosa, has been using drones to check more than 250km of high voltage power lines and 1,000 support structures in the province of Leon, northwest Spain. The company found the benefits of using drones included increased safety, a 20% rise in productivity, and detection of defects that were difficult to identify with traditional inspection methods, such as operators and helicopter flights.