Flaming drones: China uses fire-spewing drones to burn trash off power lines - TomoNews

XIANGYANG, CHINA — China power companies are using drones that emit flames to burn down the trash stuck on power lines. The fire-spewing drone emits flames via a one-meter-long tube. It uses liquefied petroleum gas for fuel. The drone can be operated by maintenance workers remotely. The power company said this method is not only more efficient, it can also reduce the risk of maintenance workers being electrocuted by high-voltage lines. China’s power company claims flames can burn trash stuck to wires within 15 minutes, which isn’t long enough a duration to damage the aluminium-coated power wires. Therefore this method does pose any risks to the power grids.