Project Insight | Event
Automated drone inspection of photovoltaic systems using 5G
NürnbergMesse organizes around 120 national and international trade fairs and congresses in various sectors every year. The exhibition grounds comprise 16 halls with a total area of around 180,000 square meters, supplemented by an outdoor area of 50,000 square meters. In the joint project, the large-scale photovoltaic systems, consisting of up to 21,000 modules in the future, will initially be monitored automatically in a feasibility study using a drone, 5G technology, machine learning and AI. An expansion of the 5G campus network for further applications is planned for the future.
Goals
- Ensuring the regular and automated inspection of large or difficult-to-access photovoltaic systems
- Early and AI-based detection of damage to photovoltaic systems through image analysis, thermal imaging and detection of anomalies
- Automated, efficient and safe inspection and data evaluation
- Reduction of labor and inspection costs thanks to automated processes
- Ensuring efficient and long-term maintenance of photovoltaic systems for continuous energy generation
- Early detection of safety-related problems to minimize risks and increase safety
- Basis for the realization of further use cases in our own 5G network for building management, security management such as site surveillance and exhibitor supply
- Reduction of labor and inspection costs thanks to automated processes
- Ensuring efficient and long-term maintenance of photovoltaic systems for continuous energy generation
- Early detection of safety-related problems to minimize risks and increase safety
- Basis for the realization of further use cases in our own 5G network for building management, security management such as site surveillance and exhibitor supply
„With this new technology, we are setting a new standard in building management. The ability to detect potential problems in real time and resolve them early will not only improve safety and efficiency, but also contribute to our commitment to sustainable energy practices.“
Gerald Weiß
Head of Facility & Event Management, NürnbergMesse
Solutions
- Regular overflights of photovoltaic systems by a drone flying predefined routes (QGroundControl)
- Use of 5G technology for the fast and stable transmission of video streams and thermal images for central image analysis and evaluation
- AI-based analysis of drone images using computer vision for automated identification of damage and anomalies
- Close cooperation with the German Federal Aviation Authority regarding the challenges of an unmanned flying object
A joint project of COCUS, NürnbergMesse, Third Element Aviation GmbH and ROTH teleconcept GmbH
