Over the past five years, drones have rapidly shifted from experimental pilots to mainstream tools across the utility sector. Today, they’re being used for powerline and tower inspections, substation monitoring, renewable energy asset management, and even gas pipeline surveys in remote areas. Water and wastewater utilities are also leveraging drones to inspect dams, reservoirs, and treatment facilities, while monitoring water quality, detecting leaks, and generating maps and surveys.
“Drones are being used for powerline and tower inspections, substation monitoring, and renewable energy asset management such as solar and wind,” says Justine Hollingshead, a certified drone pilot and instructor. “Additionally, we’re seeing drones used to inspect gas pipelines in remote areas, monitoring for things like corrosion and methane leaks. Drones are also being utilized by the water and wastewater industry to inspect dams, reservoirs, and treatment facilities, and to help monitor water quality, detect leaks, and generate maps and surveys.”
Drone experts like Hollingshead are now anticipating further advances in drone utilization due to more favorable regulation. “Evolving FAA regulations will further support the scaling of operations, making them routine,” she says, referencing the FAA’s proposed Part 108 rule for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights.
“Utility companies could only conduct BVLOS flights through case-by-case waivers, which made it difficult to scale programs and justify investments in fleets, training, and integration,” Hollingshead explains. “Part 108 proposes a scalable, performance-based rule, which means utilities can plan long-term drone strategies with more confidence.”
Hollingshead is also eager to see the development of technologies like AI and machine learning that are transforming drone data into predictive models—improving defect detection and maintenance schedules.
Getting Up to Speed on Technologies and Training
To successfully integrate a drone program, utilities need to understand the wide range of platforms and tools available. “One of the biggest challenges for utilities is evaluating the wide range of drones on the market,” Hollingshead says.
The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International’s (AUVSI) Uncrewed Systems and Robotics Database offers one solution. Compiled over more than a decade, the database allows utilities to compare specs, performance, and capabilities in one place—helping stakeholders quickly identify the right tool for the job, track new products, and monitor emerging trends.
Drones at The Utility Expo
For utilities ready to explore these technologies firsthand, The Utility Expo offers a unique opportunity where attendees can compare solutions side by side, connect with leading drone manufacturers, and gain practical insights through walking classrooms.
This session will be led by Hollingshead, who will guide participants through several drone-related exhibitors. See the full list of companies that will be exhibiting at The Utility Expo 2025: Exhibitor Directory.
Why Certification Matters
Technology alone isn’t enough to build a successful drone program—skilled operators are just as important. As uncrewed systems become more common in commercial, public safety, and government operations, professional certification ensures safety, consistency, and public trust.
Hollingshead points to AUVSI’s Trusted Operator Program, developed in collaboration with industry leaders, as one way utilities can align pilot training with recognized standards and support global acceptance of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).
About the Speaker
Justine Hollingshead is Assistant Vice Chancellor in the Division of Academic and Student Affairs at North Carolina State University and an AUVSI Trusted Operator Level III instructor. With more than 25 years in emergency services and over eight years of drone flight experience, she brings a rare combination of technical knowledge and real-world application.
At NC State, Hollingshead has been directly involved in UAS planning, training, and emergency response, and she serves as a liaison to both the NC DOT and the FAA through the UAS Collegiate Training Initiative. She is also an active member of the DroneResponders public safety group with AIRT (Airborne International Response Team).
This broad background allows Hollingshead to connect the technical, operational, and human sides of drone use in a way that’s both practical and engaging—making her walking classroom at The Utility Expo a can’t-miss learning opportunity.
This session is only available to the first 30 people that register, act fast!
More About The Utility Expo
The Utility Expo’s comprehensive education program is the leading source for the utility industry to obtain cutting-edge information for today’s challenging economy and business model. In addition to drones and aerial devices, topics include jobsite safety, vacuum excavating, horizontal directional drilling, equipment hydraulics, and more.
The Utility Expo 2025 takes place October 7-9, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A.
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