Drones to improve heat efficiency

13.02.2025

Source: E & M powernews

Eon, Coventry City Council and the start-up Kestrix are using drones with thermal imaging cameras to analyze heat loss and improve energy efficiency at municipal level.

The drones can scan buildings from a height of 50 meters with their thermal imaging camera. The aim of their deployment in the British county of Coventry is to identify the heat losses of these buildings and thereby increase energy efficiency. Eon is cooperating with the British company Kestrix, a technology start-up specializing in the use of innovative technologies to analyse and improve energy efficiency.

As Eon explains in a press release, this technology enables precise quantification of heat loss and a detailed analysis of the energy efficiency of buildings. Drone scanning is "significantly faster and more cost-effective" compared to traditional methods such as home visits, which can take several hours. Within minutes, the project participants received comprehensive data showing how much energy is needed to heat a house and where heat is escaping.

"The pilot project with Kestrix shows how we can use innovative technologies to implement the energy transition," says Mark Ritzmann, CEO of Eon Group Innovation. "Detecting heat loss with drones is a cost-effective solution that both helps property owners and contributes to reducing CO2 emissions."

"Learning algorithms" to identify cost-effective measures

Another advantage of Kestrix's technology is the use of machine learning algorithms, which identify the potential for improvement based on the data collected and make recommendations for cost-effective measures to reduce heat loss. In this way, targeted and cost-effective solutions can be developed to increase energy efficiency.

The first drone flights are due to start "in the coming weeks", according to the island. Once the data has been collected, the project team will analyze it and contact residents in Coventry to show them options for improving their energy efficiency. Financing options for necessary renovations could also be offered as part of the consultation.

The collaboration between Eon and Kestrix came about as part of the "Free Electrons" open innovation program, which connects companies from the energy sector with promising start-ups. Kestrix, a finalist in the 2024 program, was selected for the Coventry project, which will be the first pilot project to be implemented in the UK.

Author: Davina Spohn