Networks and energy

Power line and wind turbine inspection
by drone

Drone inspection of energy infrastructure examines components at height, live or moving, at close range: conductors, insulators, pylons and supports on power lines; blades, tower and nacelle on wind turbines. The pilot stays on the ground throughout.

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Why use a drone

Get close to the structure without sending anyone up

Inspecting a line or a turbine usually means climbing the pylon, working on ropes along the blades, or flying a helicopter over the route. These methods are expensive, require heavy planning and expose operators directly.

The drone approaches the same components at a safe distance and brings back detailed views of each one. Defects are photographed and located, so a targeted intervention can be planned instead of mobilising a full team just to go and look.

Operators stay on the ground during the inspection
Detailed views of every component at height
No pylon climbing or rope access just to make the assessment
Defects located so maintenance can be targeted

Deliverables

Our services on energy infrastructure

The protocol is defined with your operations team: safety distances, any isolation required, machine shutdown and the scope covered.

Visual inspection of lines and supports

Survey of conductors, insulators, cross-arms, pylons and poles, with close-up views of critical points.

Wind turbine blade and tower inspection

High-definition survey of both faces of the blades, the leading edge, the tower and the external parts of the nacelle.

Infrared thermography

Detection of abnormal heating on connections and switching devices, an early sign of a developing fault.

Vegetation and corridor mapping

Mapping of clearances between vegetation and conductors to plan tree-cutting works.

Located inspection report

Findings tied to the support, span or machine concerned, illustrated with the matching views.

Use cases

When clients call us in

Periodic check of a distribution network
Fault finding after an incident or a trip
Blade inspection before or after the operating season
Assessment after a lightning strike, storm or impact
Preparing a vegetation management programme under a line

Frequently asked questions

Does the line have to be isolated?

Not necessarily for an external visual inspection: the drone stays at a safe distance. The arrangements are settled with your operations team before the visit.

Does the turbine have to be stopped?

Yes for blade inspection: the machine is stopped and the blades positioned, in coordination with the operator.

Which defects are looked for?

Degraded insulators, corrosion, loosening and connection overheating on the network side; leading edge erosion, cracking, lightning strikes and delamination on the blade side.

Can several machines be inspected in a day?

Yes, depending on the size of the farm, wind conditions and the downtime allowed per machine. We plan the sequence with the operator.

Does wind limit the operation?

Yes. Beyond the operating limits of our aircraft the visit is postponed: flight safety and image quality come before the schedule.

Our method

How a mission unfolds

Four steps, from the first conversation to the delivery of your data.

01
Scoping
We define together the perimeter, the accuracy required and the format of the deliverables.
02
Flight preparation
Feasibility study, analysis of site constraints and regulatory procedures.
03
On-site acquisition
Our remote pilots operate on site, without interrupting your activity.
04
Processing and delivery
Data processing, quality control and delivery of annotated results.

Nationwide coverage

We operate everywhere in France

Dronexperts operates across the whole of France. Our professional drone pilots travel to wherever your site is, anywhere in the country, and across Europe for the specific missions our industrial clients require.

Our 5 registered training centres — Paris West (Beynes, 78), Strasbourg (Schiltigheim, 67), Toulouse (Labarthe-sur-Lèze, 31), Marseille/Toulon (Le Castellet, 83) and Bordeaux (Mérignac, 33) — act as anchor points so we can reach every region quickly. They are starting bases, not a limit: we operate throughout France, with the same procedures, the same insurance cover and the same standards from one end of the country to the other.

Paris West — Beynes (78)

Our anchor point in Île-de-France: Paris, the inner and outer suburbs and the wider Paris basin.

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Strasbourg — Schiltigheim (67)

Our Grand Est base: Strasbourg, Colmar, Mulhouse, Metz, Nancy, Reims and the German and Swiss border areas.

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Toulouse — Labarthe-sur-Lèze (31)

Our Occitanie base: Toulouse, Montpellier, Albi, Tarbes, Perpignan and the whole South-West.

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Marseille / Toulon — Le Castellet (83)

Our Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur base: Marseille, Toulon, Aix-en-Provence, Nice and the Mediterranean coast.

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Bordeaux — Mérignac (33)

Head office and historical base of Dronexperts, in Nouvelle-Aquitaine: Bordeaux, La Rochelle, Limoges, Pau, Bayonne.

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Is your site far from all five centres? That is not a problem: our bases are starting points, not a service perimeter. We organise travel for the team and the equipment anywhere in France, and across Europe for specific missions, on quotation.

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