Drones are now monitoring Dubai?s Sustainable Building's solar generation efficiency and other projects to save time and manpower.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has started using Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, to check on the photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority's (Dewa) Sustainable Building in Al Quoz to ensure that they are functioning effectively.

UAVs save considerable time and effort as they completely scan the building's roof, which has an approximate area of 100,000 square feet, in less than 5 minutes and provide Ultra HD (4K) images with a resolution of over 20 megapixels.

Dust and pollutant-free photovoltaic (PV) panels are needed to efficiently produce energy from sunlight as particles covering the panels could reduce its efficiency. Dewa's  Sustainable Building?s rooftop hosts photovoltaic panels that produce 600 kW of electricity.

In an initiative called Sirb (Arabic for fleet), Dewa has started using drones to monitor the cleaning activities of contractors, which are essential for the panels to function properly in a desert environment.  Drones also monitor condition of the panels if they need cleaning.Dust and pollution block sunlight, reducing the efficiency of the panels. That's why, it's important to clean them regularly.

Drones are also used to inspect the water cooling process in evaporators, enabling DEWA to operate without fully shutting them down for maintenance. DEWA also uses drones to regularly review its projects and obtain progress reports by taking panoramic pictures.

 This initiative will greatly improve operational efficiency by accelerating operations, increasing safety during regular network testing and maintenance, and accurately detecting failures. It will also help in monitoring generation, in field surveys for new projects, and in new connections for buildings and facilities in Dubai. This will enhance the trust of customers in DEWA's services and improve organisational competitiveness in terms of financial savings. The drones provide early detection by using thermal imaging for overhead power lines. This limits risks and reduces costs, enables a quick response and is very accurate, making it easier to make informed decisions. The drones use state-of-the-art upgradable technologies such as high-definition cameras that are equipped with night-vision and laser technologies, GPS sensors, and can measure pressure, height, magnetic fields, and use ultrasound scanning.

DEWA is also looking into expanding the scope of its drone use. In addition to locating equipment, DEWA is experimenting with technology to detect overhead line insulator failures that can cause power outages.

A drone?s full sweep of the 100,000-square-foot roof of the Sustainable Building can be done in less than five minutes, which saves time and effort according to Dewa officials. Drones will also provide Dewa with ultra high definition (4K) images with a resolution of over 20 mega pixels.

Drones are also used to inspect the water cooling process in evaporators, enabling Dewa to operate without fully shutting them down for maintenance.