The almost 40,000 kilometers of high and medium voltage lines that UFD, the Naturgy group electricity distributor in Spain, are monitored from the air by long -range drones.
Naturgy’s distributor, has reached an agreement with fuvex, a Spanish scale-uppioneer in long -range drones, the largest contract of civil drones in Spain, thus consolidating its leadership in the electrical infrastructure inspection.
This agreement represents a paradigm change in the maintenance of electrical networks, and reaffirms the commitment of both companies to technological innovation and sustainability.
The contract implies the inspection, until 2026 and with an extension option until 2028, of the almost 40,000 kilometers of high and medium voltage lines that UFD has in Spain. To do this, visual, thermal and lidar sensors are used that allow generating a digital twin of the network.
In the words of José Luis Vallejo, head of innovation of the Naturgy distributor, «The alliance with CUVX consolidates a long relationship in which we have jointly developed technology, processes and regulation, to make the inspection with drones of the electric lines into a reality. This inspection gives us greater security, efficiency and respect for the environment, compared to conventional methods, and positions us as a pioneer company and leader in the practical application of these technologies. ”
The revolution of drones
The agreement between both companies implies a disruptive change in the way of managing inspection and maintenance of electrical infrastructure. Long-range drones developed by Spanish Scale-Up transform the process with tangible improvements in efficiency, sustainability and safety.
The benefits are evident from the first flight. In terms of operational efficiency, each drone is capable of covering 50 kilometers a day of electric line and the company is working to climb 200 kilometers a day in the next two years. These figures would be unthinkable with conventional drones that, at most, can reach 10 km of electric lines inspected per day. This capacity not only optimizes times, but also facilitates a more precise and continuous inspection, reducing the margin of error and anticipating possible incidents in the network.
Sustainability in the center
The gradual replacement of crew helicopters, reduces environmental costs and CO₂ emissions, minimizing the climate impact. This new operation model is aligned with the global decarbonization commitments, an increasingly decisive factor in the energy sector.
In addition, the incorporation of drones is a safety advance, eliminating the risks associated with manned flights and field work in complex environments. Now, inspections can be carried out on a large scale and automatically, reducing risk situations.
According to Carlos Matilla, CEO of Fuvex, “this collaboration with the Naturgy Group allows us to consolidate ourselves as leaders in inspection of electric lines with long -range drones in Europe. Together with UFD we will work to continue developing the inspection standards that will be implemented in the rest of the industry in the coming years. It is an important investment at R&D level with developments that will improve differentially the management of the UFD-Naturgy network, that we hope will become a standard in the industry in the coming years. ”