Thermography and analysis of leakage in district heating networks using drones

Important results from the project

The goal of developing a method for drone-borne thermography of district heating networks in built-up areas that meets current aviation safety requirements has been achieved. The goal of developing a quality-assured method for drone-borne thermography and subsequent analysis of leakage in district heating networks is considered to have been well met as everything, except the validation, has been carried out in such a way that the method can now also be used for drone-borne thermography.

Expected long term effects

During the project, a procedure for a proposal for operational authorization from the Swedish Transport Agency regarding drone-borne thermography in built-up areas has been designed and permission has been granted. This provides the conditions to offer the service to district heating network owners on a large scale. The result has been performed in such a way that the method can now also be used for drone-borne thermography, where well-proven algorithms have been adapted and can and will be used.

Approach and implementation

The project began with a permit application. Parts of the project were delayed, as the Swedish Transport Agency´s handling took longer than expected. Meanwhile, flight patterns and other parameters were tested as well as adaptation of existing software from traditional thermography with manned aircraft. During the late autumn, thermography of the selected district heating network was carried out. Some adaptation of the algorithms in the software has been done ahead of time, but the final expedient adaptation and production of results has been done at the end of the project.