Projects

Completed

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
Electricity North West Limited

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

09 October 2025

08 January 2026

ENA months

£31,973

Power

North West

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, Electricity North West Limited

This project will be delivered through desktop research and stakeholder engagement to explore regulatory changes enabling BVLOS drone operations and asses their potential benefits for fault detection and maintenance across SP ENWs distribution network, ultimately improving service to vulnerable customer.It comprises four work packages:Work Package 1. Workshop & Summary: A collaborative session between drone specialists and SP ENW personnel to identify operational challenges and explore BVLOS-enabled solutions for fault location, proactive maintenance, and emergency response.Work Package 2. GIS Analysis: A spatial assessment of SP ENWs network using GIS to identify areas suitable for BVLOS deployment, associated risks, and zones with regulatory constraints.Work Package 3. Regulatory Landscape: A detailed review of UK BVLOS regulations, enabling mechanisms (e.g. predefined corridors, TDA usage, CAA sandbox), and EU policy influences, with guidance on regulatory engagement and pilot PoC requirements.Work Package 4. Use Cases & Final Report: A strategic roadmap summarising finding, commercial viability, and prioritised BVLOS use cases with feasibility rankings and implementation recommendations.This approach will provide the evidence necessary to set the foundations for potential live trials in the future.Measurement Quality Statement: Although this project does not involve physical testing, measurement quality remains important within the information collecting, and comparison, in order to deliver a compelling and accurate final report. Inputs and assumptions, network data, and GIS data used will be based on real assets from SP ENW.Data Quality Statement:All data used or generated during the project will be reviewed to provide assurance that outputs meet the required standards. Data will be managed in accordance with the RIIO-ED2 Data Best Practice Guidance and Data Assurance Guidance, including version control, audit trails, and appropriate documentation. No personal data will be processed as part of this project. Visual Overhead Line Tracking (VOLT) will assess the feasibility and value of BVLOS Drone operations to benefit both customers and the Distribution Network Operators. Based on real locations and data from SP ENW licence area, this project study will compare different types of operations, including but not limited to: Rapid storm response, Drone-in-a-box, Vegetation encroachment monitoring, Integration with SP ENW fault detection technologies, that will bring more value to customers more value to customers.Project VOLT will be a desktop study including a comparison of drone operations and areas that this operation would bring a greater impact, a Regulatory landscape reviewing the UK regulations and enabling mechanism for BVLOS operations and comparing these to the EU policies. The findings of this report will be summarised in a strategic roadmap highlighting next steps and implementation recommendations.The project will deliver benefits to the GB Electricity Distribution System, including:Financial:Reduce CI/CML penalties by decreasing the fault response timeReduce CI/CML penalties by enabling proactive maintenance thus preventing certain faults from happeningOperational:Reduce downtime after storms or faults as drones can identify location of these events fasterSocial: Provide quicker support to customers in remote areasThe project is structured around four work packages, as outlined in Section 2.2, covering technical feasibility and regulatory review. These will culminate in a final report summarising outcomes and recommendations for next steps.Work Package 1. Workshop & Summary focus areaSMEs from both SP ENW and Skyports will share knowledge and explore other possible solutions for BVLOS Drone operationsWork Package 2. GIS Analysis focus areaUsing GIS to identify areas of SP ENW suitable for BVLOS operationsWork Package 3. Regulatory Landscape focus areaUK Regulatory Landscape MappingEU Policy influencesWork Package 4. Use Cases & Final Report focus areaRoadmap summarising finding and ranking solutions by commercial viability and customer benefitImplementation recommendations and next steps The project aims to:Assess the technical viability of BVLOS Drone Operations in SP ENW license areaAssess the economic impacts and benefit of BVLOS Drone Operations in SP ENW license areaReview regulatory and compliance considerationsProvide recommendations and roadmap for potential futures trials and operational deployment

The evolving regulatory landscape for drones is unlocking the potential for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, enabling scalable missions across rural and remote areas. These operations can rapidly identify faults and accelerate power restorationespecially for vulnerable households such as the elderly, medically dependent, and low-income families. Beyond reactive response, BVLOS also supports proactive fault detection and emergency logistics, enhancing grid resilience, operational efficiency, and service continuity during severe weather events.

24/04/26