Summer marks the peak season for electricity demand, underscoring the critical importance of regular power facility inspections. Traditional manual inspections require technicians to physically visit every site, which is inefficient. This year, Suzhou launched its first automated drone inspection demonstration zone, where drones can autonomously examine power equipment of all sizes across the entire grid.

Amid the sweltering afternoon heat, the hatch of an automated drone nest slides open. A drone lifts off swiftly and follows a pre-programmed route, its infrared camera scanning every transmission tower and power line with precision. High-definition footage is streamed in real time to the central monitoring station. Equipped with these drone nests, operators can now command entire fleets remotely—eliminating travel time and boosting inspection efficiency by at least fivefold.

Today, 59 fixed drone nests form an automated maintenance network spanning approximately 720 square kilometers in Suzhou. These stations support automated storage, charging, data transmission, and collection—dramatically enhancing the reliability of the city’s power supply.