Projects

Started

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences)

Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Environmental dimensions)

Project Contact
UK Power Networks

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 December 2025

30 September 2026

ENA months

£146,000

Power

London

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, UK Power Networks

This project will seek to develop and trial innovative tree cutting drones equipped with cutting mechanisms that could reduce vegetation management costs and time, reduce CIs and CMLs, and improve safety by minimising the safety risks associated with personnel manually operating power tools and working at height or in hazardous terrainMethodThe project will explore deploying aerial drones equipped with cutting mechanisms either mounted directly or suspended from the drone body, develop prototype solutions for trial in the field and understanding the relevant compliance necessary for trials and definition of possible business-as-usual (BAU) roll out plans.The project will investigate, develop and prototype different cutting mechanisms:Add-on to existing dronesCustomised drone platformAn initial design and feasibility will be conducted for a customised drone platform that is tailored to a DNO operational needs, this will entail:Defining technical and functional requirementsCollaborating with academic and industrial partners on designDeveloping CAD models and simulation environmentsBuilding and testing a working prototypeA demonstration unit will also be developed using off-the-shelf drones and adding integrated cutting tools:A suitable drone platform will be investigated, reviewed and selectedInvestigate how and what cutting tools can be integrated into the droneBench testing and controlled environment trials will be undertaken to ensure suitabilitySafety, stability, and cutting performance will be evaluated to validate the most effective solution for trialThe project will review existing governance and compliance requirements to ensure the safe use of the prototype devices in the field during trials.The project will undertake pilot trials and evaluate once the solutions have been tested. Trial locations will be at a UK Power Networks training centre or a chosen UK Power Networks site location. The trial will review performance, measuring and monitoring cutting efficiency (branches per hour), operator safety improvements and cost and time savings vs. manual methods.Measurement Quality Statement:All data used within this project is for the purposes described above, and therefore quality will be measured on this basis. The project will follow all data quality rules, logging, and prioritising issues as they arise in line with the approved methodology set out in our Enterprise Data Management Policy, which forms part of the UK Power Networks Integrated Management System. Data quality will be measured across five dimensions where applicable: Accuracy, Completeness, Consistency, Validity and Uniqueness.Data quality rules for each of the appropriate data quality dimensions above will be set by the project, measuring them closely on a regular basis to identify quality issues.Data Quality Statement:Data quality issues will be logged in a central location and prioritised using an approved matrix which combines the importance of the issue, and the amount of data affected, this gives an indication of the issues impact on the project and wider business, considering factors such as:The impact on the health and safety of the public and employeesWhether it may result in a breach of our licence conditions or relevant regulationsThe impact on UK Power Networks reputationThe impact on our operations and efficiencyThe financial impact, including project delays and charges from external service providers.The project will then seek support for resolving the issues in priority order. All data and background information will be stored centrally and securely in a project specific SharePoint folder or in our Enterprise Data Store if required by the wider business in accordance with data protection requirements. This project will develop, test, and evaluate two drone-based solutions for tree cutting:Option 1: Retrofit commercial drones with cutting tools (e.g. rotary hedge cutters, alligator saws)Option 2: Design and prototype a bespoke drone platform optimised for vegetation management near overhead linesWhere Option 1 solutions will be tested during field trialsThe project will progress through the following stages: Feasibility, Design and PrototypingObjective: Production of a prototype solutions for test and validationOption 1:Define and produce technical and functional specificationsInvestigate and identify the suitable drone platform for the off-the-shelf drone and the cutting tools to be integrated into the droneDevelop a demonstration unit using off-the-shelf dronesOption 2Define and produce technical and functional specificationsInitiate early-stage design and feasibility work for bespoke drone platform, including CAD modelling and simulation, leveraging industrial partners for a collaborative designBuild a working bespoke drone platform prototype Testing and ValidationObjective: Validate suitability of the chosen solutionsOption 1:Conduct bench testing and controlled environment trials to assess cutting performance, flight stability, and safetyEvaluate effectiveness in cutting branches up to four inches in diameter, with three inches as the minimum viable thresholdExplore mechanisms to restrain branches during cutting to prevent recoil and improve precisionOption 2:Assess the designs feasibility to cutting performance, flight stability, and safety using CAD analysis, initial prototyping and engineering judgementEvaluate whether the conceptual design could feasibly cut branches up to four inches in diameter, with three inches as the minimum viable thresholdExplore conceptual mechanisms to restrain branches during cutting to prevent recoil and improve precision Governance and ComplianceObjective: Ensure solution designs are compliant with all relevant regulatory and operational guidelinesOption 1:Ensure the solution prototypes are compliant for deployment in the field trials and BAU.Ensure alignment with UK Power Networks Health, Safety and Sustainability (HSS) standards and arboriculture competency requirements and any other standards applicable.Secure legal agreements to use the developed IP in the powerline sector.UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approval of drone operation in the field trials and requirements for BAU operationOption 2:Ensure designs take into consideration UK Power Networks HSS standards and arboriculture competency requirements and any other standards applicable. Field TrialsObjective: Evaluation of suitable drones through closed field trials for BAU roll outOption 1 only:Identification of suitable locations for trialsDetermine suitable performance metrics, e.g. cutting efficiency, operator safety improvements and cost and time savings vs. manual methodsAdditional risk assessments and on-site supervision that will be required during trialsConduct trialsAnalysis of the trial results and report on trial conclusions Stakeholder EngagementObjective: Ensure that solutions are fit for purpose at BAU roll outProduce internal engagement strategyEngage with Network Operations and legal teams to ensure cross-functional alignmentCoordinate with Acuity Robotics for technical delivery and knowledge transferPublish a publicly available press release to inform readers of the project and the potential cross sector benefitsParticipate in any presentation opportunities at industry wide eventsProduce all mandatory reporting under NIA requirements The project has the following objectives: Validate technical feasibility of drone-based cuttingOption 1 solution: Retrofitted commercial drones will be trialled in a live demonstration during field trials and assessed on payload capacity, flight stability, cutting precision, and branch restraint mechanisms in controlled and live environmentsFeasibility assessment on Option 2 solution: Bespoke drone platform solution will be assessed on payload capacity, flight stability, cutting precision, and branch restraint mechanism through CAD analysis, initial prototyping and engineering judgement Enhance operational efficiency in vegetation managementReduce the time and cost associated with manual tree cutting around overhead lines, particularly HV networks Improve safety for field personnelMinimise the need for operatives to work at height or in hazardous terrain by deploying aerial drones equipped with cutting toolsReduce exposure to risks associated with chainsaw use and manual climbing

Vegetation encroachment around overhead lines poses significant risks to electricity reliability, public safety, and operational efficiency. UK Power Networks currently relies on manual tree cutting operations, which are labour-intensive, high-risk, and costly particularly in rural and hard-to-access areas. This project aims to address these challenges through the design, prototype, and evaluation of drone-based tree cutting solutions that improve the safety, efficiency, and scalability of vegetation management around HV overhead lines. The key objectives being to reduce Customer Interruptions (CIs) and Customer Minutes Lost (CMLs), minimise safety risks to personnel and the public, and lower operational costs, whilst ensuring compliance with regulatory and environmental standards.

24/04/26