FAA grants approval to Dominion Energy to use Skydio drones for inspections

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted Dominion Energy approval to fly Skydio drones to inspect power generation facilities in seven states.

Dominion obtained the waiver in partnership with Skydio’s regulatory team under the FAA BEYOND program. The waiver allows individual operators — like plant engineers — to fly drones beyond their line of sight. There is no requirement to use an additional crew member or technology to detect crewed aircraft.

Skydio’s AI technology allows the pilot to safely fly their missions in close proximity to structures in a way that would be difficult with other less sophisticated drones. As a result of this waiver, Dominion Energy may conduct BVLOS operations to inspect more than 40 power facilities in Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.

“A 20-minute inspection by a battery-powered drone will increase safety for our colleagues, who will no longer need to rappel down the side of a structure, as well as save time during inspection-related preparations,” Nate Robie, Dominion Energy’s manager of unmanned systems program, said. “As a pioneer in beyond visual line of sight drone use, Dominion Energy contributes to a safer, greener future, as well as potentially lowering operations and maintenance costs, which ultimately benefits our customers.”

Dominion Energy will conduct these operations using Skydio X2, which pairs a foldable airframe with Skydio Autonomy, an AI-based autonomous flight engine. This enables Skydio drones to safely navigate any environment, including areas without GPS.

“This pivotal approval brings Dominion Energy, Skydio, and the entire drone industry one step closer to advanced drone operations at scale,” Jenn Player, Skydio’s director of regulatory affairs, said. “When it comes to scaling beyond visual line of sight operations, having an intelligent drone makes all the difference, and Skydio was proud to support Dominion Energy in obtaining this waiver that enables them to inspect critically important facilities.”

Dominion Energy began using drones in 2014, mainly to identify electrical transmission line defects. Over the years, it has expanded its drone program to include approximately 50 drones and drone pilots serving multiple operational business segments. At power generation facilities, Dominion Energy drones take volumetric measurements and assess construction progress, provide surveying and mapping services, and inspect infrastructure.