At a glance
The goal
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The goal of the project was to test the use of drones for inspecting district heating pipelines with a view to permanently integrating them into Mainova’s operational processes. The goal was not only to ensure the reliable use of the technology, but also to ensure that operations in an urban environment were safe and legally compliant. At the same time, employees were to be trained so that they could operate the drones independently and competently in the future. |
The implementation
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During the inspections, the DJI M30T and DJI Mavic 3 drones flew along the sections of the power line and surveyed the infrastructure using cameras and thermal imaging sensors. The images reveal temperature differences that may indicate potential heat loss or damage to joints and suspensions. Following a successful test phase, the use of drones was incorporated into routine operations. Today, Mainova AG uses three drones operated by a team of six trained pilots. Each mission allows for the inspection of several kilometers of district heating pipelines. The collaboration will continue in the future. In the next step, Droniq will support Mainova in establishing an internal training unit for drone pilots. The goal is to qualify even more employees to use the technology and to embed the benefits of drone-based inspection into the company’s operations for the long term. |
Our contribution
Droniq has been involved in the project from the very beginning as a partner for the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles. As early as 2025, we inspected district heating shafts for Mainova using drones, capturing detailed image and video data in the process. For the inspections, we provided the DJI M30T, the DJI Mavic 3 (including a spotlight and thermal imaging camera), and the DJI Mini 4 Pro. We provided six Mainova AG employees with theoretical and practical training so they could operate the drones safely and independently.
We were always available to provide legal advice and also assisted with the application for a general permit. This permit allows Mainova AG to operate the drone on a limited basis even in residential and industrial areas.
Mainova | Thermal inspection of district heating pipes using drones
We were in Frankfurt on behalf of the energy provider Mainova to perform thermal inspections of district heating pipes using state-of-the-art drone technology.
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