Uncrewed Drones & Robots Bolster Energy Transition

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Drones and robotics are playing a big role in the energy transition—working hard where no one sees them. From CO2 measurements and asset inspections to hazardous tasks, uncrewed systems are giving scientists and organizations help to transition to green energy and fight climate change. 

From CneT

Recently, Inside Unmanned Systems featured Saildrone, a company that specializes in autonomous surface vehicles (aka drones) that can measure and collect data about marine environments. The drones are powered by wind and solar energy and can collect data about CO2 in the atmosphere to understand how much is being stored in the water and air.

The information collected by these drones can be used to study environmental changes, plan for CO2 removal and sequestration, and understand how nature is holding onto or releasing CO2 over time. 

At SPE Live, experts discussed the types of missions drones are taking on—measuring greenhouse-gas emissions, long-duration offshore surveys, and safety-critical inspections in hazardous locations—and how increasing payload capability is vital for continuing drone adoption. 

These are hardly the first or only examples of drones helping in the fight against climate change. 

Drones are helping in offshore wind farm development, mapping seafloors, conducting inspections, underwater maintenance, and more. Onshore or off, drones can also autonomously inspect wind turbines and even conduct simple repairs. Uncrewed systems are becoming a big part of renewable energy asset operations. 

Drones are also helping researchers understand emissions levels and identify major leaks early. Drones and satellites can detect large methane leaks much quicker than on-the-ground detection, and energy companies are using these techniques to evaluate their progress toward emission reduction goals. 

In renewable energy, drones and robots are just part of the team. And they’ll never leave moldy leftovers in the breakroom fridge. 

Have a drone, robotics, data AI/ML presentation, case study for the 2023 Energy Drone & Robotics Summit Tracks?

  • Renewable Energy Robotics Forum 

  • Methane Strategies Forum

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