Meet Duke Energy's drone pilots

Get a behind-the-scenes look at how drones are used in the utility industry

Jessica Wells
Jessica Wells illumination Staff Writer
June 27, 2018

Duke Energy is using drones to make numerous tasks faster, safer and more cost effective. Jacob Velky leads the company’s Unmanned Aerial Systems group as it uncovers new ways to use the technology from inspecting massive towers to making sure solar plants produce as much energy as possible. He and his teammates Bryan Williams and Sawyer Raffield took over Duke Energy’s Instagram account to show us what it’s like to be a drone operator.

If you missed the Instagram takeover, here’s what happened.

 

Hi, everyone. We’re Jacob and Bryan of the Duke Energy unmanned aerial system team. Follow along as we take over the Duke Energy Instagram account and take you behind-the-scenes of drone operations. . . . #dayinthelife #dronelife #futuretech #drone #digitaltransformation

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Before leaving for the field, every mission starts with a pre-flight brief. We review site specifics, load up and then roll out. . . . #dayinthelife #dronelife #futuretech #drone #digitaltransformation

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No flight can start without a safety briefing. Bryan takes the lead in making sure all protocols are covered, conditions are discussed and everyone is ready to go flying. . . . #dayinthelife #dronelife #futuretech #drone #digitaltransformation

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We started using drones in 2015 to inspect wind and solar sites, and each year our use for the technology keeps growing. This past February we successfully engineered a way to string power lines in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. . . . #dayinthelife #dronelife #futuretech #drone #digitaltransformation

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Learn more about how the team used drones in Puerto Rico. 

 

Meet Sawyer. After interning with us last summer, he’s back for round two. He helps us with every thing from pre-mission prep to asset management. Today he’s responsible for flying during the mission. . . . #dayinthelife #dronelife #futuretech #drone #digitaltransformation

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Sawyer puts the final touches together before our drone is ready to fly. . . . #dayinthelife #dronelife #futuretech #drone #digitaltransformation

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In the past few years, industries from agriculture to shipping and disaster response have found ways to use drone technology, and the utility industry is no different. We have been able to find uses that make work safer and faster. . . . #dayinthelife #dronelife #futuretech #drone #digitaltransformation

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Well, that’s a wrap on today. The truck is unloaded, the drones are in the hangar and it’s time for us to head home. We hope you enjoyed a look behind-the-scenes of our drone operation at Duke Energy. . . . #dayinthelife #dronelife #futuretech #drone #digitaltransformation

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