DRONE VOLT: THE DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF LINEDRONE AND ITS EXPERTISE IN THE ELECTRICITY GRID SECTOR
Electricity Grid Maintenance: A Global Challenge
Villepinte, August 20, 2026 — With nearly 80 million kilometers of electricity grids worldwide and between €300 billion and €400 billion invested every year, their inspection and maintenance represent a major challenge for all grid operators.
Developed by DRONE VOLT in collaboration with Hydro-Québec, LineDrone helps reduce intervention times and operational risks, while improving the quality of the data collected.
Thanks to innovative technology, LineDrone can land directly on live, very-high-voltage power lines, up to 765 kV, to carry out various inspection and maintenance operations.
It can notably measure conductor corrosion as well as the condition of splice sleeves, thereby establishing an accurate map of the condition of the grids.
Already used by several grid operators, including Hydro-Québec and RTE, LineDrone helps better target maintenance operations and paves the way for predictive maintenance of electricity grids.
LineDrone is announced as the only drone in the world capable of landing on live power lines, up to 765 kV, to carry out inspection and maintenance missions.
One drone and several versions for multiple uses
DRONE VOLT has developed several versions of LineDrone to meet the different needs of electricity grid operators.
LineDrone – Inspecting the condition of power lines
LineDrone lands directly on live conductors and moves along the line using its motorized rolling system.
Equipped with dedicated LINEOHM and LINECORE probes, it can notably measure:
- conductor corrosion;
- the electrical resistance of splice sleeves;
- the condition of equipment requiring intervention.
These measurements enable grid operators to precisely identify the equipment that needs to be inspected or replaced and to better prioritize their maintenance operations.
LineDrone DLR-SX – Deploying the Sense X sensor on very-high-voltage grids
Developed in collaboration with Ampacimon, LineDrone DLR-SX is specifically designed to install the Sense X sensor directly on live power lines, up to 765 kV.
Qualified with the support of France EDF laboratories, this solution makes it possible to measure several conductor parameters in real time and dynamically adapt their transmission capacity.
This technology therefore contributes to optimizing the use of existing infrastructure and improving the management of electricity grid transmission capacities.
LineDrone Coating – Applying advanced coatings to power lines
LineDrone Coating is designed to enable the application of advanced photonic coatings directly onto power lines.
These coatings notably contribute to:
- improving conductor performance;
- increasing their transmission capacity;
- extending their service life;
- limiting the need for heavy operations on infrastructure.
The DRONE VOLT EXPERT teams, specialized in the Drone As A Service (DAAS) model, are made up of highly qualified remote pilots capable of operating directly on electricity grids as part of service contracts.
Grid operators can therefore benefit from these solutions without having to acquire the drones or train their own teams.
This approach facilitates the operational deployment of technologies developed by DRONE VOLT and enables the company to respond rapidly to the specific needs of grid operators.
Two other drones dedicated to grid operators
HERCULES 20 HIGH-DRA
The HERCULES 20, in its HIGH-DRA version, can spray de-icing or cleaning liquids onto power lines as well as various energy facilities.
This solution notably makes it possible to remotely operate on difficult-to-access infrastructure while limiting operators’ exposure to the risks associated with working at height or in the vicinity of installations.
KOBRA
KOBRA is an inspection drone equipped with a LIDAR sensor.
It can notably create 3D models of vegetation located around power lines and provide essential data on the condition of infrastructure.
This information can help improve grid monitoring and better anticipate the interventions required, particularly with regard to vegetation management.
Marc Courcelle, Chief Executive Officer of DRONE VOLT, said:
“For several years, we have been developing a range of drones and services dedicated to electricity grid operators, relying in particular on high-level technology partnerships with Hydro-Québec and Ampacimon. Proven every day in the field, these solutions provide concrete answers to the main challenges faced by electricity grid operators.”
About DRONE VOLT
Founded in 2011, DRONE VOLT is an aircraft manufacturer specializing in professional civil drones and artificial intelligence.
The Group has operations in France, the Benelux, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, the United States and Switzerland.
As a global partner, DRONE VOLT provides its customers with turnkey business solutions, including various services as well as drone piloting training.
DRONE VOLT notably supplies government authorities and industrial companies such as the French Army, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, ENGIE, Total, Bouygues ES, ADP and the Air Transport Gendarmerie (GTA), as well as international government agencies.
DRONE VOLT is certified as an “Innovative Company” by Bpifrance.
Source: DRONE VOLT
