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Power Generation Industry Use Cases for Indoor Drones: An Overview of Assets and Applications
Indoor drones are revolutionizing the power generation industry by enabling remote visual inspections of critical internal assets. These advanced tools are being widely adopted to improve safety, reduce downtime, and increase efficiency in a variety of power plant environments.
In this article, we’ll explore the key use cases for indoor drones in power generation, along with real-world case studies that highlight their impact. From coal-fired boilers to nuclear plants, these drones are helping engineers and inspectors gather vital data without putting personnel at risk.
**Key Use Cases for Indoor Drones in the Power Generation Industry**
1. **Coal-Fired Boilers**
Drones are used to inspect burners, refractory materials, and superheater piping inside combustion chambers. They help identify clogs, wear, and structural damage, which is crucial for maintaining system integrity.
2. **Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSGs)**
During power outages, drones assess the condition of supporting pins, burners, and lances within HRSGs. This allows for quick diagnostics and reduces the need for manual access in hazardous areas.
3. **Wind Turbines**
Drones are deployed during planned shutdowns to inspect turbine blades, as well as during operation to examine the tower and base. This ensures early detection of damage and improves maintenance planning.
4. **Pulp and Paper Mill Recovery Boilers**
Drones visually inspect refractory surfaces, burners, tubes, and pipes during both scheduled and unscheduled shutdowns, ensuring optimal performance and safety.
5. **Asset Commissioning**
Before a new coal-fired boiler is operational, drones perform pre-commissioning checks to verify that all components have been installed correctly and safely.
6. **Nuclear Power Plants**
In radioactive areas, drones are used to detect leaks and assess equipment integrity without exposing workers to harmful radiation, significantly improving safety protocols.
7. **Waste Incinerators**
Drones inspect refractory materials, burners, tubes, and pipes inside combustion chambers, especially during unplanned shutdowns, to ensure continued safe operation.
8. **Hydro Power Plants**
Drones collect visuals from confined spaces such as surge tanks, water canals, penstocks, and flood gates, helping to monitor infrastructure health and prevent failures.
9. **Transformers**
High-voltage underground transformers are inspected using drones to check liquid levels and detect leaks, ensuring proper functioning and preventing costly breakdowns.
10. **Chimneys / Smokestacks**
Drones perform internal inspections of tall chimneys, identifying cracks, corrosion, and other anomalies that could lead to structural failure or environmental issues.
**Power Generation Industry Case Studies**
- **Internal Wind Turbine Blade Inspection with Elios 2**
Ørsted, a leading energy company, used the Elios 2 drone to inspect offshore wind turbine blades. The results were impressive: inspection time was cut in half, and 40% more blade area was covered. This improved safety and efficiency significantly.
- **Drone Reduces Time Needed for Scrubber Inspection by 98%**
TVA tested the Elios 2 for scrubber inspections and found that it drastically reduced the time required for the process, saving 470 hours of work while keeping staff safer.
- **$420,000 Saved with Elios 1 Test**
Pampa EnergÃa, an Argentine energy company, saved $420,000 during its first test of the Elios 1 for boiler inspections. This success led them to invest in the newer Elios 2 model for even better performance.
- **Drones in Chimney Inspections: Elios 2 Helps Avoid Dangerous Climbs**
DTEK, a Ukrainian energy company, used the Elios 2 for chimney and boiler inspections. The drone collected data quickly and safely, eliminating the need for dangerous climbs and reducing risks for workers.
As the power generation industry continues to evolve, the integration of indoor drones is becoming essential. With their ability to access hard-to-reach areas, collect high-quality data, and enhance safety, these drones are set to play a major role in the future of power plant operations.