The power sector—one of the world’s most rigid industries—is in the midst of a profound transition. Disrupted not just by economic and environmental forces, the industry is facing rapid technological changes that have forced companies to reevaluate business models to stay profitable. But while many companies are still considering integrating the Internet of Things, robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics, the uptake of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) has been markedly faster and widespread.

The use of UAS, which include aircraft (technically referred to as unmanned aerial vehicles [UAV]), ground-based controllers, and connecting communications systems—or more simply, drones—has proliferated since 1916, when the U.S. Navy developed a rudimentary unmanned aerial torpedo that could fly a guided distance of 1,000 yards. Today, countless startups offer drone technologies with myriad applications.

According to an October report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), the addressable market of drone-powered solutions in the world’s power and utilities sector is worth $9.46 billion. And interest in the power industry is soaring, as evidenced by an inaugural drone-focused summit held in Houston, Texas, in June, which showcased 30 leading drone technology providers and drew hundreds of attendees.

The reason UAVs are being adopted so quickly in the power sector is because they make good business sense, several industry experts told POWER in December. Some key benefits are that they cut operation and maintenance costs; they boost worker safety because they are able to fly in potentially dangerous areas; they use little to no fuel; and they have a scant environmental impact.

Read the full article at Power Magazine.