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Drones in Energy Operations

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Drones for Power PlantsUse Cases and Best Practices for Drones at Coal and Gas Power Plants

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A Measure White Paper Drones for Power Plants

The commercial adoption of drones is growing quickly, and organizations are already seeing improvements in worker safety, operational efficiency, and data quality. Drones provide a practical solution for the inspection of all kinds of infrastructure and worksites, among many other things. They are well-suited to replace work that would otherwise require climbing or traversing large areas of terrain, making them a particularly useful tool at power generation facilities.

Measure’s vast experience using drones across the energy industry includes providing actionable inspection data on boilers, stacks, cooling towers, expansion joints and hangers for clients such as AES, a global Fortune 500 energy company. Measure has also trained energy companies on how to safely operate drones and manage an internal drone program. AES’s drone program, which we supported from the ground-up, now has over 170 pilots operating at traditional and renewable power generation and distribution facilities worldwide.

In this paper, we will focus on the application, operation, and management of drones at coal and gas power plants using current drone technology and under current regulations. Certainly the use of drones will continue to expand as regulations loosen and drones become truly autonomous. However, in this whitepaper, we hope to demonstrate that there is no need to wait. The equipment and processes available right now, today, offer a strong case for putting drones to work at power plants. We hope the information in the following chapters helps you to develop a successful drone program, at scale, within your own organization.

Introduction

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01 The Benefits of Drones Today 04

02 Use Cases for Drones at Power Plants 08

03 Building a Drone Program 14

04 Collecting, Analyzing, and Managing Drone Data 16

00 Appendix

A. Insource vs. Outsource Decision Guide 24

B. Components of an Air Operations Manual 25

TA BLE OF CONTENT S

The Benefits of Drones TodayHow Can Drones Make Your Operations Better?

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THE BENEFIT S OF DRONES TODAY01

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Drones provide safe, efficient inspections for businesses across the energy industry. Trained pilots and experienced data analysts use drone technology to drastically reduce inspection time, save labor costs and avoid hazardous man-hours, while providing higher quality data that enables companies to maximize energy production.

Power plant inspections using drones reduce hazardous man-hours during maintenance activities while providing accurate and cost-effective defect inspections and volumetric inventory analysis. Visual inspections and data collection at power plants can be accomplished by most professionally trained drone pilots with reasonably priced commercial drone equipment. Software, such as Measure Ground Control, simplifies program management, flight planning, data collection, and data management.

Today’s drone technology provides the measurable benefits and operational efficiencies businesses need to start using drones at scale.

Better Data

Drones capture high-resolution imagery, which can be processed and analyzed to provide actionable inspection results. Drone data can accurately identify defects on boilers, towers, stacks, expansion joints, pipe hangers, and more. It can be used to measure stockpile volumes to show changes over time, to monitor construction progress, or to create measurable maps of any area. Drone data is ready to inform your operations and maintenance decisions.

See Figure 1.1 for a glossary of the types of data products that can be created from drone data.

Drone data is detailed. Drones can deliver clear, precise imagery of the entire surface of an object or structure, providing a close-up look at every side. When adding thermal imagery, you can also more easily spot anomalies on cooling towers and expansion joints.

Drone data is analyzed. Whether a visual inspection, a thermal inspection, or a mapping project, drone data can be analyzed by experts who turn raw data into actionable insights. Defects can be classified according to your company’s requirements, measurable maps can be created, and volumes can be quantified.

Drone data is easy to use. Inspection data can be uploaded to an online portal, which allows managers to view defects and sort data (by severity level, for example) to meet their needs. Zoom-in on high-res images and make annotations. A pdf report can be produced at the touch of a button.

Drone data is organized and stored.Once your inspection data is uploaded to the portal, it will be stored securely and made available for future reference. Track changes over time or compare across multiple sites.


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3D Point Cloud – A 3D, rotatable set of data points representing an object (such as a building). Geolocated, measurable, and compatible with common design software.

As-Built Overlay – Creating 3D models or 2D orthomosaics that are then overlaid with site plans or CAD drawings to identify any discrepancies between plan and actual.

Construction Progress Tracking - Collecting aerial imagery at regular intervals to track changes over time and document milestone completions.

Contours - 2D lines that are placed on a map to show changes in the ground elevation at a defined interval.

Defect Identification - Identification, classification, and geolocation of defects for a wide array of applications including wind turbine blades, solar panels, utility poles, boilers, stacks, and expansion joints.

DSM / DTM – A digital surface model or 2D representation of a terrain’s surface. Can be used for volumetric analysis and is convertible to CAD formats.

Erosion Assessment - Creation and analysis of topographic models to identify slope degrees and areas prone to premature erosion.

Fencing Infrastructure Review - Analysis of perimeter structures to identify compromised areas such as missing beams, corrosion, vegetation, and miscellaneous damage.

Orthomosaic – A detailed, accurate photo representation of an area, created out of many photos that have been stitched together and geometrically corrected (“orthorectified”) so that it is as accurate as a map.

Pipeline Mapping - Aerial images stitched together to create visual and GIS data of pipelines and other transport systems.

Thermal Analysis – Using images of the heat given off by an object to identify anomalies such as malfunctioning solar modules, damaged electrical insulators, cracked expansion joints, and faulty substation components.

Topographic Map – A map of a ground area that is true to the shape and features of the surface of the earth to highlight variations in site grading.

Site Shading Assessment – Using the site’s geographical location, nearby obstructions, and seasonal sun positioning to graph potential shading impacts over the course of the year.

Vegetation Growth Sampling – Aerial images are used to identify vegetation conditions, typically on a solar farm or along utility lines.

Volumetric Analysis - Using 2D and 3D data to estimate the volume of earthwork, cut and fill, or stockpiles. Repeated volumetric analysis of stockpiles can track inventory usage over time.

Figure 1.1 - Data Products Glossary


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Safety

Keeping ‘boots on the ground’ is one of the most obvious benefits of drones. Crews can get a close-up view of structures and equipment without climbing. Drones can also help reduce risks related to crossing difficult terrain, dealing with unknown conditions following a storm, or working in confined environments.

Efficiency

Drones are highly efficient, completing inspections in a fraction of the time of manual processes and avoiding the time, costs, and effort associated with building scaffolding. Faster inspections mean less down-time, which saves costs and reduces man-hours spent in potentially hazardous or difficult conditions (such as inside a boiler). If you have a drone on-site, you can conduct spot checks on short notice and with minimal setup time, which is perfect for quickly getting a better view on potential problems.

With drones, you can avoid hazardous man-hours, save costs, and minimize downtime for inspections without sacrificing data quality.


Use Cases For Drones at Power PlantsLet’s Look at Some Ways Drones Work for Traditional Power Generation Facilities

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USE C A SES FOR DRONES AT POW ER PL A NT S02

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Drones can inspect all kinds of structures and equipment; they can map ground areas, and they can track changes over time. There are likely many more uses for drones than what we can reasonably cover in this whitepaper. When you think about the best use cases for drones in your particular application or at your jobsite, imagine any task that might otherwise require vertical climbing or scaffolding (or areas otherwise difficult to reach), any task that covers a large area of ground, or anything better seen from the top down rather than from the ground up.

In this section, we’ll take a quick look at common applications of drones at power plants.

SCEN A R IO 1

Cooling Towers

Comprehensive, thermal imagery helps to identify damage or performance anomalies on cooling tower structures, inlets, and outlets.

Measure typically uses a DJI M210 drone with a Zenmuse X5s camera and an XT-R infrared sensor and flies the cooling tower in a way to take photos every two horizontal and vertical plenums. The imagery is then correlated in a systematic way to determine the temperature distribution of water as it cascades through the cooler. A visual representation of temperatures in each plenum makes it easy to spot anomalies across the tower. The warmest and coolest spot of each plenum is also reported, along with each condenser inlet and outlet water temperature and pressure. See Exhibit 2.1 for excerpts from a sample cooling tower inspection report.

SCEN A R IO 2

Boilers

Close-up, high-resolution imagery captured by drones show anomalies such as deformed air nozzles, gas nozzles, igniters, cracks, and missing refractory coatings.

A boiler inspection using traditional methods, is a long, costly process, taking about 8 days once the boiler has cooled off. It takes 2 days to install scaffolding, up to 4 days to do the inspection, and another 2 days to remove the scaffolding. All that downtime is expensive (about $30,000 per day in net profit loss for a typical 500 MW coal plant), and the process requires up to 40 contractors. The costs involved with the scaffolding alone can be upwards of $140,000, depending on the size of the boiler.

Drones cut inspection time from days to hours. No scaffolding is required, hazardous man-hours are reduced, and inspections are completed at a fraction of the cost.

Walk through a boiler inspection using drones >


Sample boiler inspection imagery

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Figure 2.1 - Excerpts from a Sample Cooling Tower Report


Side 1 Overview: Temperature Variations Cell-to-Cell

Temperature Variations Within Cells, Min, Max, Avg.

Hot Spot Identification and Inlet and Outlet Measurements

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SCEN A R IO 3

Stacks and Tanks

Large structures are particularly well suited for drone inspections. A drone can conduct a visual inspection in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost of other methods, while typically providing data that is more comprehensive and more detailed. Operators keep their boots on the ground while getting a thorough look at the tops of stacks, tanks, or other large structures. With professional-level manual flight skills and a high-quality camera payload, knowledgeable pilots scan surfaces to identify damage and capture images for further analysis and classification.

S TACK INSPEC TIONS:

— S TATUS QUO: 4 HOUR S / UNIT

— DRONE: 2 HOUR S / UNIT

SCEN A R IO 4

Expansion Joints, Pipe Hangers, Etc.

Drones capture high-resolution images of all sides of joints and hangers to identify cracks or other damage and load indicators. Detailed, visual inspection data can be captured using entry-level commercial drones and basic professional drone pilot skills. These are quality inspections that are easily attainable and avoid climbing or costly scaffold building.

Adding thermal imagery to your inspection allows you to see abnormally hot and cold spots along areas such as joints and ductwork, highlighting where anomalies may be present.

Your visual inspection data can easily be uploaded to a data platform where you can annotate the images and classify the damage severity according to your organization’s specific criteria. You can then sort by damage level or type, generate reports, and store data for future reference.

SCEN A R IO 5

Volumetrics

Images captured from dense grid pattern flights produce a point cloud and a digital surface model used to estimate volumes in stockpiles. With the proper software, the drone can fly a specified grid pattern, which can be setup in advance or on-site, that is activated at the touch of a button after a basic setup process. The data captured is uploaded and then processed in-house or by a third party to generate volume measurements. Conducting fights at regular intervals allows you to track stockpile volumes to show changes over time.

See Figure 2.2 for a case study comparing volumetric analysis using drone data to traditional surveying.

VOLUME TR IC DATA

— S TATUS QUO: 8 HOUR S / UNIT

— DRONE : 1 HOUR / UNIT

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SCEN A R IO 6

Mapping

Map large areas using basic flight operations to generate orthomosaics, digital terrain models (DTM), digital surface models (DSM), and contour maps. These drone data products can help inform construction plans, monitor construction progress, and compare as-built projects to plans. Document site conditions, locate structures and inventory, and help identify or monitor drainage issues. Data is typically captured using entry-level commercial drone equipment such as a DJI P4P or Mavic. Data is then transferred to a third-party or uploaded to an automated software system for processing into a final data product.


Orthomosaic with contours.

Summary

Measure performed a head-to-head comparison of UAV volumetric analysis against a traditional survey for a large and a small stockpile. After controlling for confounding factors, the UAV volume estimates were within 0.64% for the small stockpile, and 3.39% for the large stockpile, while delivering results 12 days faster.

Methodology

In order to get the most accurate comparison as possible, Measure’s drone pilots and the client’s surveyors visited the site and collected data on the same day. The surveyors used GPS-RTK and conventional survey methods established survey control points. Measure performed a crosshatch grid flight over each stockpile and used nine temporary PPK ground control points (GCPs).

Both stockpiles were flown using an eBee+ drone with the S.O.D.A camera. This captured imagery with an average ground sampling distance (GSD) of 2.28cm. This translates to a 9.84cm global accuracy for the larger Stockpile 1, and a 6.84cm relative accuracy for the smaller Stockpile 2.

For Stockpile 1, the client provided a triangulated irregular network (TIN) model, which we used to create an AutoCAD Civil 3D surface as the comparison surface. We inserted 1-foot contour lines of the digital terrain model produced by drone data and Pix4D into the Civil 3D drawing and created a TIN surface of the top of the stockpile. We then calculated the cut and fill volumes using a Civil 3D TIN volume surface.

Stockpile 2 was significantly smaller and we were not provided a base surface. The ground around at the perimeter was flat, so we created a triangulated surface based on points on the ground and calculated a volume of 10,090 yds³.

The surveyors used a base surface 2.76 feet below ground level. The volume between the surveyor’s base surface and the ground level was 3,472 yds³, bringing the Measure volume to 13,562 yds³ to compare to the survey volume.

Comparison

The factors leading to the delta in the first stockpile volumes include the fact that it relied on global accuracy, which will always be lower than relative accuracy, and possible errors in matching the base surface to the captured surface due to the coordinate system transformations involved.

Stockpile 1

Stockpile 2

Overall, UAV volumetric analysis performed well compared to a traditional survey, achieving a less than 1% discrepancy under real world conditions and reducing data delivery time by more than 60%. When time on site, safety, or access are concerns, drones provide a clear advantage over traditional surveys for volume calculations.

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Figure 2.2 Volumetrics Case Study Comparing Traditional to UAV Surveying

Data UAV Surveyor % Delta

Total Fill (yds3) 750,697 726,094 3.39%

Mean Depth (ft) 17.512 17.35 0.93%

Area (ft2) 1,155,006 1,154,183 0.07%

# of Points 162,971 10,041 1,523%

Time to Deliver 7 days 19 days 63%

Data UAV Surveyor % Delta

Total Fill (yds3) 13,562 13,475 0.64%

Area (ft2) 39,904 33,999 17.37%

Time to Deliver 7 days 19 days 63%

Building a Drone ProgramWhat You Need to Develop and Run a Successful Drone Program.

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BUILDING A DRONE PROGR A M03

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Once you’ve made the decision to add drones to your operations, it’s time to think practically about the setup and execution of your drone program. Managing a corporate drone program requires the coordination, oversight, and execution of a wide range of tasks and functions, as shown in Figure 3.1. How many of these functions your organization takes on, and therefore the size of your drone program team, will depend on the complexity of your operation and decisions regarding in-sourcing or out-sourcing. A helpful in-sourcing vs. out-sourcing decision guide is provided in Appendix A.

In Measure’s experience working with energy companies, a hybrid approach tends to be the best fit. In this case, day-to-day and quick-turn operations are carried out by an in-house team while larger, more complex flight operations and data analysis are out-sourced to a third-party.

Drone Program Manager

Most companies will begin by designating an internal manager to lead the program and oversee the many moving parts. Typically this would be one person from a central location - a Drone Program Manager. For particularly complex or global programs, companies might need several people to manage operations in their region or for a certain type of operation (e.g. disaster response). Regardless of how you are structured, you will need a Grand Central Station, of sorts, to manage your company’s drone operations.

The Drone Program Manager is responsible for ensuring all the functions of the program are running smoothly, whether accomplished

in-house or contracted out. He or she will work with a team that might include in-house or contract pilots, trainers, drone engineers, and data analysts, among others. He or she may be ordering and/or tracking jobs; ensuring compliance with safety, regulatory, and company policies; managing equipment; and measuring program success. With so many people and functions to oversee, a program management software designed specifically for this purpose is crucial. Measure and Fortune 500 energy company, AES, use Measure Ground Control, a comprehensive software platform built based on real-world experience, to help run their complex drone programs. You’ll learn more about Ground Control later in this chapter.

Air Operations Manual

An Air Operations Manual is the foundational document of a professional drone program. It shapes the operational and safety culture of the organization. Each Air Operations Manual will be unique depending on the attributes of your organization, but should always address the following subjects (more details outlined inAppendix B).

• Authority & Control of Flights

• Regulatory Compliance Guidelines

• Training Standards

• Flight & Mission Planning Procedures

• Crew Resource Management

• Equipment Maintenance & Repair

• Mishap Reporting


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Function Description

Work Ordering Placing a work request for drone data.

Fleet Management

Scheduling of aircraft and sensor payload for each job, managing shipping and storage logistics, following equipment maintenance schedules, and completing repairs or upgrades as needed.

Pilot Management

Tracking certifications, licenses, training, and proficiency of each pilot; assigning pilots to each job; overseeing travel schedules; ensuring rest requirements are met; and measuring on-the-job performance.

ComplianceChecking airspace, flight, and pilot rules and regulations for each job; ensuring that any necessary permits, licenses, trainings, or waivers are in place.

Flight PlanningDetermining flight schedule, pattern, altitude, and image capture specifications, as well as any weather-related requirements (e.g. temperature, light, or irradiance limitations), to meet the data goals of the job.

Data Collection

Flying the drone and appropriate sensor payload, according to the flight plan and safety procedures, to collect the data from the job site.

Flight LoggingCollecting all flight data such as flight path, altitude, speed, battery usage, and screen captures to effectively document and track the flight.

Data Engineering

Automated and/or manual processing and analysis of the raw drone data to create a usable data product or report.

Data Management

Storing, tracking, organizing, and delivering the reams of drone data collected, processed, and analyzed.

Performance Tracking

Continuously ensuring company policies are being followed, tracking program metrics, and measuring program benefits.

Program Improvements

Working to continuously improve processes, streamline operations, expand use cases, and implement new technologies as they become available.

FUNC TIONS OF DRONE PROGR A M M A N AGEMENT

Figure 3.1 - Functions of Drone Program Management

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Program Management Software

As discussed earlier in this section, managing a drone program is a complex operation, covering many functions (see Fig 3.1). Looking across the drone software market, you will find a plethora of products targeted at one or a few of these functions. For example, there are popular software products focused only on flight logging or only on equipment management.

However, using a single software solution for as many functions as possible - work ordering, resource management, flight planning and tracking, program reporting, compliance, and data management - will help you streamline your operations and manage your program more efficiently. You’ll also have the program oversight that most corporations need to ensure consistently safe and compliant execution of all aspects of their drone program.

Here are a few ways in which proper program management software can help:

• Avoid the cost and complexity of multiple software tools

• Ensure that flight logs and compliance data are uploaded

• Track equipment status, assignments, and usage efficiently

• Reduce miscommunications regarding logistics and data collection plans

• Simplify pre-flight checks, flight setup, and data collection for your pilots

• Keep data organized and associated with missions without extra data transfer steps

•Easily generate reports for leadership and compliance purposes

Measure was searching for a comprehensive software platform to manage its own operations. Unable to find a platform that met all of its needs, Measure built one, based on the experience of managing thousands of flights across myriad applications. That product is Measure Ground Control. Figure 3.2 provides a basic overview of drone program functions that are managed through Ground Control.

Pilots & Pilot Training

An obvious part of any drone program is pilots. In-house pilots may be dedicated to the drone program, or they may combine drone operations with other job responsibilities. Often in the case of power plants, select team members obtain their pilot license for spot checks, issue investigations, and disaster response. Third-party or contract pilots may be called in for larger projects, such as annual inspections or volumetric analysis.

The FAA requires any sUAV operator to have a Part 107 certification before flying for any commercial purpose. However, that is only the first step. Measure recommends an in-depth training program that includes basic introductory training, along with training specific to the type of equipment the pilot will use and the application in which he or she will use it.


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Figure 3.2 - Functions of Drone Program Management Software (Measure Ground Control)

M A N AGE PEOPLE & EQUIPMENT

• Keep tabs on the activities, certifications, and training of your team

• Setup user profiles with location, credentials, experience, and status

• Control user permission with pre-defined roles

• Manage all equipment with automatic usage tracking and maintenance recommendations

• Store equipment details, create kits, and disable or quarantine equipment as needed

• Get reports of pilot and equipment activity

SCHEDULE & PL A N FLIGHT S

• Create and schedule missions, and manage the program calendar

• Assign pilots, equipment, and other resources to missions

• Automate task assignments

• Check airspace

• Design and upload flight plans

• Set company-wide flight parameters

FLY & COLLEC T DATA

• Check weather and airspace conditions

• Request LAANC authorization

• Retrieve and apply DJI Geo Unlock

• Fly with GPS-aided manual control or automated grid and waypoint patterns

• Use active track modes spotlight, POI, trace, orbit, and profile

• Automatically upload flight logs, screen captures, and completed checklists

• Block DJI data sharing with local data mode

TR ACK & REPORT AC TI V IT Y

• Access automatically uploaded flight logs, including flight playback and screen captures

• Review flagged incidents

• Create and export reports and flight data

• View dashboards of program metrics

A N A LY ZE & S TORE DATA

• Store unlimited flight logs, imagery, video, and uploaded files

• Add inspection results and review mission and portfolio-level summaries

• Upload completed data products

• Access integrated data tools to view and analyze inspection data

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Introductory Training. Introductory training should cover the core principles of your organization’s program, such as maintenance guidelines, crew rest requirements, drug and alcohol policy, safety procedures, regulatory compliance, and more.

Drone-Specific Training. Drone pilots should receive hands-on training for the specific drone equipment they will be using, such as the DJI Inspire 2 or Phantom 4 Pro. This type of training sets a baseline for safe operation of aircraft and ensures that pilots can adequately take manual control of the aircraft at any time to avoid hazardous situations.

Application-Specific Training. Pilots should be trained to perform one or several specific industry applications. This might include such things as advanced flight skills for operating inside boilers, how to capture thermal imagery, or how to setup and fly a grid pattern. Pilots should also be trained on proper data handling for their specific use case, such as proper organizing and transfer of data files, as well as important data security techniques.

Drones and Sensors

The next obvious part of any drone program is, of course, the drones. When choosing the right equipment for a job, there are a number of factors to consider: type of operations, data requirements, security requirements, and cost. Common drone platforms and sensor payloads are shown in Figures 3.3 and 3.4.

Drone aircraft come in two major physical configurations: multi-rotor and fixed-wing. Simply put, for operations that require ease-of-use, maneuverability, and data collection in a relatively localized area, a multi-rotor

drone is almost universally the right option.

In the multi-rotor drone marketplace, DJI dominates with over 70% market share. DJI products offer quality and reliability at an affordable price, and they cover a wide range of applications and levels of sophistication.

Standardizing on one drone manufacturer, or, if possible, one drone airframe, will simplify aircraft maintenance and repair. DJI’s market dominance and wide selection make it an attractive choice. While DJI has come under some scrutiny for data security, concerns can be mitigated with proper data handling and features such as “Local Data Mode” available in select flight control applications like Measure Ground Control.

Operations that require long-distance flight or wide-scale mapping are typically better served by fixed-wing aircraft. Fixed-wing platforms lack the maneuverability and ease-of-use associated with multi-rotors, but offer superior endurance. Measure currently uses the senseFly eBee for utility-scale solar power plant inspections and for mapping of large job sites. The eBee is a fixed-wing drone that packs a lot of power in a small platform and accepts a variety of payloads, including visual, thermal, and multispectral sensors.

Many applications suited for fixed-wing aircraft remain limited by FAA regulations prohibiting beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flight without a special permit. Measure has begun work with long-range platforms such as the Vapor 55 UAV for BVLOS applications including power line and pipeline inspections. If you are interested in this type of application, it is best to contact an experienced, professional operator.


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Figure 3.3 - Common Commercial Drone Airframes

Drone Make & Model

Type Specs Best For Notes

DJI Mavic Pro 2

Multirotor

Max Flight Time: 31 min

Wind Speed Resistance: 10 m/s

General purpose

Small, portable airframe; easy to use with a low price point. Camera included. Good for situational awareness for emergency response, small-scale mapping, simple inspections, and confined spaces.

DJI Inspire 2 Multirotor


Wind Speed Resistance: 10 m/s

Very high-resolution imagery

A workhorse in the industry; rugged and field-tested. Carries a high-resolution camera. However, the Mavic Pro and M210 are usually a better match for use at power plants.

DJI M210 Multirotor


Wind Resistance: 12 m/s

Capturing both high-res and thermal imagery

Dual gimbal payload allows for simultaneous thermal and RGB data collection. Preferred platform for police and fire use, and for industrial applications requiring both RGB and thermal imagery.

senseFly eBee

Fixed-wing


Wind Resistance: 12 m/s

Inspections of large areas

Lacks maneuverability of multirotors, but has superior endurance. Best choice for large-scale mapping missions in mining, solar, agriculture, and large construction sites.

DRONE EQUIPMENT

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Sensor Type Compatibility Functions

Zenmuse X45 RGBInspire 2, M200 series

RGB mapping

Zenmuse X5S RGBInspire 2, M200 series

Primary fleet RGB payload, High-res inspection

Zenmuse X7 RGBInspire 2, M200 series

Cinematography

Zenmuse XT-R InfraredInspire 1, M600, M200 series

IR Mapping, Surveillance

Zenmuse Z30 RGBM600, M200 series

Live inspection, Surveillance

SenseFly S.O.D.A.

RGB eBee, eBee+ Mapping

SenseFly Thermomap

Infrared eBee, eBee+ IR mapping

SenseFly Sequoia

Multi-spectral

eBee, eBee+NDVI mapping (primarily agriculture)

DRONE EQUIPMENT

Figure 3.4 - Common Commercial Drone Sensors

Collecting, Analyzing, and Managing Drone DataIt’s All About the Data.

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COLLEC TING, A N A LY ZING, A ND M A N AGING DRONE DATA04

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The energy industry has always been a leader in utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing data to monitor infrastructure and make decisions. From maps of critical infrastructure to inspections of power production assets, energy companies have built extensive databases of information. One of the best ways to maximize the return on your drone program is to integrate drone data into your existing workflow.

“We want to be a more digital and data-oriented company. The data behind drone technology supports our goal to improve overall company asset management.”

- Assel Ayapova, Global Drone Program Manager, AES

It’s important to spend time up front to understand what your drone data will be used for. Here are some questions to get you started:

1. What decisions will the end user be making based on this data?

2. What types of data need to be collected for the user to make those decisions?

3. Are you using drones as a replacement for existing remote sensing technologies? If so, how do you use that data?

4. Are there any systems or other software that you will be integrating the data with?

Next, compile an inventory of your existing data architecture so you can identify if you have the tools to store, process, and analyze drone data. Data capabilities will vary significantly

by organization, and many organizations may choose to outsource some, or all, of their data processing and analysis needs. Even if you choose to outsource data processing and analysis, it is still imperative to determine how you will integrate the resulting data products into your business systems and workflows.

Once you understand what data you need and how you will use it, you are ready to start collecting drone data and putting it to work in your organization.

Flight Planning

Prior to flying, the operations team will need to understand the data required and any data collection or flight path specifications. If the data collected will require data processing and analysis, a pre-flight meeting with the data team is recommended. Drone data follows the old computer-science adage, ‘garbage in, garbage out,’ meaning no amount of magic can turn improperly collected data into a valuable data product. Building a well-informed flight plan, up front, is imperative.

Here are a few other things that should be part of your flight planning process:

Equipment Selection. Drones and sensors are selected to match site and data requirements.

Scheduling & Assignments. Assign pilots and equipment, and schedule the job based on the overall program calendar.

Airspace Checks. Ensure the job site is located in an area where is it safe and legal to fly. Request any necessary waivers and initiate any required notification processes.


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Flight Parameters and Path. Set parameters like altitude, direction and overlap; and build a grid flight path to be downloaded on site.

Data Collection

Upon arriving at the job site, the pilot should conduct a thorough assessment of the operating environment. Each pilot is responsible for following safe, legal flying practices. Measure also recommends:

• Final airspace and weather checks

• Risk assessment and safety review

• Pre- and post-flight checklists

As much as possible, pilots will follow the flight plan setup in advance. Some adjustments will be made on site, based on real-world conditions, and processes like requesting LAANC authorization and setting up waypoint flights may need to be completed. The pilot will choose a safe take-off and landing area and begin data collection. In order to ensure that the data meets the project needs, Measure pilots often check-in with the data team to confirm data quality during complex jobs. This helps to reduce the chance of having to return and re-fly a job site.

A flight application is used to control the drone during flight. You can find many flight applications

in the various app stores, and several of them are available for free. However, a flight application designed specifically for commercial use is typically the better choice. A commercial flight application should offer a user-friendly interface with only the functions required to complete commercial data collection, and it should be oriented toward safety and security with features such as pre- and post-flight checklists, integrated airspace advisories and LAANC authorization, and local data mode to block data sharing with the airframe manufacturer.

Having a flight application that is integrated with your program management software offers additional benefits, such as automatic uploading of all flight data. It is important that 100% of flight data is collected and tracked in order to foster compliance with safety standards and company guidelines. An integrated software platform will keep all of your information - mission details, flight plans, flight data, and collected data - in once place for easy access and management.


Measure Ground Control mission page, which centralizes mission information, plans, flight logs, raw data, and reports.

Measure Ground Control flight application showing a pre-flight checklist and automated grid flight pattern

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Data Security

Some situations, particularly those that involve collecting data on critical infrastructure, require extra security protocols. Here are a few best practices for securing your most sensitive data:

Train on CEII/CIP. Training will make pilots and other staff aware if a facility or structure falls under critical infrastructure. It will provide an understanding of what types of data are subject to NERC/FERC regulations and what cybersecurity rules have been established for critical energy infrastructure.

Fly in Airplane or Local Data Mode. Airplane mode disconnects your device from the internet. Local Data Mode, as it pertains to DJI drones, prevents communication with any DJI-hosted servers. If you do require internet access on your device while collecting data, use a VPN to add a level of security by routing through your corporate network.

Delete the flight application and collected data files. Before reconnecting to the internet after a flight, you can delete your flight app and even reset the device to factory defaults. Also, clear, triple-wipe, or destroy SD cards after data has been uploaded.

Avoid common data mishandling pitfalls. Don’t store or process imagery of critical infrastructure in non-FedRamp approved systems. Certainly do not snap a picture and text message it to a colleague or post it online.

Use local data, processing, reporting, and storage. Unless clients require otherwise, Measure keeps data on servers in the AWS US – East region, and we process and analyze sensitive data within the US. When security is of utmost concern, you may need to avoid cloud data processing and storage, and use a solution that is on-premise or FedRamp approved.

Data Engineering

While some jobs, like a quick spot check of a potential issue, are fulfilled with the basic, raw imagery taken by the drone; other jobs, like mapping and asset inspections, require the processing, analysis, and delivery of large data sets.

Once data has been captured and transferred, it is loaded and prepared for processing and analysis. Your workflow for drone data will depend on the complexity of the data, the type of data analysis or data product you need, and where data processing and analysis takes place -- in-house with your own GIS analysts, out-sourced to a drone data expert such as Measure, or through a cloud data platform that allows non-experts to create basic drone data products and reports.

Measure’s 3 Steps to Actionable Data.

Processing

Analysis

Visualization

Conversion of raw data into processed data products, such as 2D orthomosaics or 3D models.

Interpretation of processed data into actionable data, such as measurements, damage reports, etc.

Final step to combine all data products and analysis into a visual format.


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At Measure, we typically bring processed data into programs like Pix4D, ArcGIS or Scopito to perform analysis, and we share the final data with end users through our online platform and pdf reports. Measure Ground Control integrates data platforms with flight operations and program management tools to create a single, streamlined software system for everything related to drones and aerial data. See Figures 4.1 and 4.2 for examples of data tools built into Measure Ground Control.

For visual inspections, we often use ArcGIS or Scopito to produce an interactive webmap that can be annotated. With Scopito, for example, drone imagery is uploaded and placed on a map to show the location of each asset. Images are analyzed to determine defect type and severity. Once complete, data can be sorted based on location, defect type, severity classification or other tags. Users can zoom-in to view defects in high-resolution imagery, add maintenance notes, and export pdf reports at the push of a button.

For mapping projects, Pix4D is an excellent data processing platform. Many Pix4D products require some level of expertise or training to use, but with the launch of newer cloud-processing solutions and integration with Measure Ground Control, the creation of data products such as an orthomosaic, DTM, DSM, contour map, and 3D point cloud has become easier (refer back to Figure 1.1 for definitions of these data products). Use proper flight planning, capture quality data, organize your data, and upload it for processing and analysis to create an actionable data product.

Regardless of what data platform you choose, always keep in mind who the stakeholders of your program are and who will need access to the data. Data that is difficult for asset managers or O&M teams to use, for example, is not likely

to maximize the return on your investment. Make sure that the processing, analyzing, and visualization of your drone data results in a data deliverable that can drive better decisions for your business operations.


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Figure 4.1 - Mapping (orthomosaic) within Measure Ground Control

Figure 3.3 - Visual inspection data platform within Measure Ground Control

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In this paper, we have reviewed the benefits and use cases of drones at power generation facilities. We have introduced the components of a drone program and discussed how to capture, analyze, and manage quality data that can inform business decisions. Everything in this paper is something your organization can do and take advantage of today.

If you are looking to start an internal drone program, outsource operations, or have your pilots trained, Measure can help. Measure offers a range of products and services for companies across the energy industry. Contact us for more information on:

• Drone Program Software

• Turnkey Drone Operations

• Drone Data Analysis

• Hands-on Pilot Training

• Advisory Services

Drones can deliver measurable improvements for your power plant operations. When you’re ready to get started or want to take your existing program to the next level, drop us a line at https://www.measure.com/contact.

Conclusion

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A PPENDI X A : INSOURCE VS . OUT SOURCE DECISION GUIDEA

Insource vs. Outsource Decision Guide

Insource Outsource

Pilot skills required Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . High

In-house data engineering skills & software

Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not Available

Hardware costs Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . High

Program execution costs (software, insurance, management)

Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . High

Risk tolerance High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Low

Data complexityLow (e.g. visual pictures only)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .High (hundreds of

images, thermal analysis, etc)

Inspected asset valueLow (e.g. bare earth)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .High (e.g. wind

turbines, cell towers)

Mission risk conditionsLow (e.g. empty site)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .High (hazardous

environment)

Flight locationsSpecific sites with on-site staff

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Disperse, unknown,

or unstaffed locations

Flight frequency High (daily, weekly) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Low (monthly,

annually)

Flight predictabilityLow (on-demand, reactive)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .High (planned in

advance)

INSOURCE VS . OUT SOURCE DECISION GUIDE

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A PPENDI X B: COMPONENT S OF A N A IR OPER ATIONS M A NUA LB

Subject Purpose Considerations

Authority & Control of Flights

Establish who has authority to approve flight operations under what circumstances

Who can put in a request for drone operations?

How are operations reviewed and approved?

What authorities do the approver and the pilot-in-command have?

Regulatory Compliance Guidelines

Unequivocally state that all applicable rules and regulations must be followed

What federal, state, and local regulations affect your operations?

What is the process for requesting regulatory waivers?

What other regulatory guidelines (e.g. FCC) may apply?

Training Standards

Stipulate pilot training requirements by mission type and ensure only qualified pilots are flying

What training is required for each of your mission types?

How often must training be renewed?

Do training requirements differ between employee and contract pilots?

Flight & Mission Planning Procedures

Ensure consistently successful aerial data collection and safe flight outcomes

What are your data collection requirements?

What is the type, location, and timing of the mission?

How are you managing your equipment and pilots?

A IR OPER ATIONS M A NUA L

Components of an Air Operations Manual

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A PPENDI X B CONT ’ D: COMPONENT S OF A N A IR OPER ATIONS M A NUA LB

Continued:Components of an Air Operations Manual

Subject Purpose Considerations

Crew Resource Management

Reduce and mitigate errors related to human factors in in-field flight operations

What are your crew rest requirements?

How do factors like weather or stress impact pilot scheduling?

How are crew errors or infractions addressed?

Equipment Maintenance and Repair

Reduce safety hazards, downtime, and data quality issues due to malfunctioning equipment

Who will be responsible for drone maintenance and repair?

What are your pre- and post- flight maintenance procedures?

How will you track equipment usage over time?

Mishap Reporting

Determine policies and procedures for when accidents happen

What severity of accident warrants a report?

Who needs to be informed when an accident happens?

What information needs to be collected at the scene and by whom?

Who will be responsible for filing a mishap report?

A IR OPER ATIONS M A NUA L

Thank You

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