Modern inspection methods for a sustainable infrastructure
The maintenance of district heating pipes is essential to ensure a safe and efficient energy supply. However, traditional inspection methods are often time-consuming and cost-intensive. On behalf of Mainova AG, Droniq therefore carried out an aerial maintenance inspection of district heating pipes at three locations in Frankfurt - an example of how drone technology is revolutionizing maintenance processes.
Why inspect by drone?
The DJI Matrice 30T has been equipped with a high-resolution thermal camera to detect potential weak points at an early stage. The drone enables fast and precise analysis from the air, even in hard-to-reach places that would be very difficult to inspect using conventional methods.
One example of this is district heating pipes under bridges. Without drone technology, this would require the use of extensive scaffolding structures, which would not only have to be planned and applied for, but in some cases would also have to be suspended from above. Coordination with shipping traffic would also be necessary. In comparison, permits for drone flights over waterways are much easier to obtain.
The advantages of using drones at a glance
- Fast and efficient recording of infrastructure statuses
- Early identification of potential weak points
- Minimization of costs and time compared to conventional methods
- Safe inspections without scaffolding or road closures
- Simple integration into existing maintenance processes
Technological support from Droniq
Droniq not only carries out the flights, but also ensures the safe and transparent visualization of the drones in the airspace. For this purpose, the drone used was equipped with a drone tag, making it visible in our TraX air traffic display. This enables seamless integration into existing safety processes.
Conclusion: Future-proof infrastructure maintenance with drones
The successful deployment for Mainova AG shows that drone technology plays a crucial role in the modern maintenance of energy infrastructures. Thanks to the combination of thermal analysis, high mobility and efficient data collection, potential weak points can be identified more quickly and countermeasures initiated earlier.
