Toronto-based Ctrl leads the way in providing actionable intelligence through sophisticated drone technology and innovative data collection methods for the renewable energy sector. Recently, the company has expanded its capabilities to include incident awareness and assessment for critical situations, such as wildfires. The company’s comprehensive data-driven operational approach allows it to provide end-to-end solutions from initial construction to ongoing aerial monitoring and surveillance, so that the relevant stakeholders have all the data they need to make informed decisions in both renewable energy projects and emergency situations. If you’ve not heard about this company, take notice. They are also expanding from Canada into the United States…and looking for partners and strategic hires.
The Need: Actionable Intelligence for Renewables
In the renewable energy sector, precise data to inform decision-making remains a critical need. Ctrl leverages cutting-edge drone technology to gather high-resolution imagery and data, to enable a wide range of decision-makers, from engineers to asset owners, to make informed choices throughout an asset’s lifecycle. From site selection and construction planning to ongoing maintenance and inspections, Ctrl’s capabilities span the entire spectrum of renewable energy project management.
The company’s journey began in 2017 when founder Chris Hood recognized a significant gap in the market for drone services tailored specifically to the renewable energy sector beyond wind turbine blade inspections. By focusing on wind and solar projects, Ctrl carved out a niche to address the unique challenges faced by energy developers, including project approval processes and asset maintenance in often hazardous environments.
Data-Driven Operations: Ctrl’s Comprehensive Approach
Ctrl has since positioned itself at the forefront of data-driven operations in the renewable energy sector by employing a multifaceted approach. The company’s data collection strategy encompasses a wide range of technologies and methodologies, from the ground and up to space.
Traditional Methods
Of course, traditional manual inspections play a role in Ctrl’s data gathering toolkit. On the ground, the company also employs sensors for localized, detailed information collection.
Satellites
Way up from space, satellites provide high resolution imagery, which plays a particularly crucial role in Ctrl’s operations. Satellites offer unique advantages such as wide geographic coverage and consistent monitoring capabilities. Regular orbital passes of satellites enable frequent data collection and trend analysis over time, ideal for large-scale renewable energy projects. However, satellite imagery often lacks the fine details provided by drone or ground-based inspections, can be hindered by cloud cover, may have some latency between data capture and availability and coverage gaps due to orbital periods.
Drones
In between these capabilities in the ground and in space, Ctrl uses drone technology to address information gaps and provide crucial close-in data. This multi-source collection strategy, which seamlessly combines drone data with satellite and other data sets, enables broad-scale data capture that covers vast areas – sometimes up to tens of thousands of acres at a time.
Integration
The true strength of Ctrl’s approach, however, lies in the company’s ability to integrate the data from these multiple sources to create a comprehensive view of renewable energy assets. This integration process involves data aggregation, advanced analytics utilizing AI and machine learning for contextual analysis to extract meaningful insights and the use of visualization tools to create clear, intuitive representations of complex data.
By overcoming the limitations of individual data sources and focusing on the strengths of each, Ctrl empowers its clients to make informed decisions that optimize the performance, longevity and profitability of their renewable energy assets. This comprehensive approach to data-driven operations enables Ctrl to deliver actionable intelligence that goes well beyond providing customers with raw data.
Better Together: Leaning Into Partner Expertise
A key aspect of Ctrl’s success lies not just in its diverse data collection and integration efforts, but also in the collaborative approach it takes with industry partners. By leveraging relationships with leading technology providers in drone services and geospatial analysis, Ctrl can offer tailored solutions that meet specific client needs. Whether it’s partnering with companies like Cyberhawk for advanced inspection platforms or utilizing software from Pix4D for mapping and modeling, Ctrl ensures that its clients have access to the best tools available.
Ctrl’s partnerships also include cutting-edge technology providers. Among others, the company has worked with ConeLabs in Canada to explore advanced object detection capabilities, including rust corrosion and concrete spalling identification and Qii.AI to test out AI-driven object detection for various infrastructure elements.
The company’s hardware partnerships are equally impressive. Ctrl utilizes advanced drone systems like Skydio’s X-10, which feature onboard computers capable of 3D object detection and seamless navigation. These systems have enabled better 3D modeling capabilities and more efficient data collection. Ctrl actively engages with a range of OEMs to provide valuable feedback for product improvements and participate in firmware beta testing. Its collaborative approach not only enhances Ctrl’s service offerings but also contributes to the advancement of the entire drone industry.
A Holistic End-to-End Solution
By synthesizing these diverse data streams, layering in expert analytics and leveraging its partner relationships, Ctrl provides asset owners and decision-makers with a wide range of actionable insights a broad spectrum of use cases:
- Site Assessment and Planning: Ctrl maps terrain, identifies potential hazards and analyzes environmental conditions using both satellite data and drone imagery for a comprehensive overview of a site to inform asset placement.
- Construction Monitoring: Ctrl uses drones to capture high-resolution images during the construction phase, without putting personnel at risk, so managers can track progress against timelines and budgets while ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
- Asset Inspections: Ctrl employs advanced imaging techniques to inspect wind turbine blades, solar panels and other critical infrastructure
- Predictive Maintenance: Ctrl helps to proactively identify potential issues before they escalate into critical issues, costly repairs or downtime.
- Performance Optimization: The company also offers recommendations to enhance energy production efficiency.
- Risk Assessments: It evaluates potential threats to asset integrity and production capacity.
- Strategic Planning: Ctrl’s data helps inform long-term decisions on asset management and expansion.
Big Plans for Future Expansion
As the demand for renewable energy continues to grow, so does Ctrl’s commitment to grow with it in several ways.
New Data Sets
The company is actively exploring new technologies and methodologies that can enhance its service offerings further. This includes advancements in AI-driven analytics to process vast amounts of data quickly and accurately so clients can make faster decisions based on real-time information.
It also plans to integrate real-time operational data from Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems (note: these are computer systems that monitor and control machinery and processes in real time systems on energy-producing assets).
New Markets
Ctrl recently expanded into providing incident awareness and assessment (IAA) capabilities to address urgent public safety concerns, such as wildfires. The company recognizes that renewable energy infrastructure is often located in regions vulnerable to wildfires. This poses risks not only to assets but also to surrounding communities.
By leveraging drone technology for IAA, Ctrl aims to enhance situational awareness during the wildfire and other events. Drones equipped with thermal imaging sensors can detect heat signatures indicative of fire activity for early detection and rapid response. This capability can mitigate damage during wildfire incidents by enabling emergency responders to assess situations more effectively and allocate resources where needed most.
Ctrl’s drones can also assist in pre-fire assessments by mapping areas prone to wildfires. A proactive approach that identifies vegetation that may serve as fuel sources and provides real-time data on environmental conditions not only supports emergency management efforts but also contributes to long-term wildfire mitigation by informing land management practices.
New Hires
As Ctrl expands its operations in both Canada and the United States, it actively seeks skilled drone pilots to join its growing team. The company recognizes the importance of having experienced operators who can navigate complex environments while capturing high-quality data. Ctrl invites drone pilots looking for an exciting opportunity in the renewable energy sector or incident response efforts to reach out and explore potential career paths with them.
And That Future Shines Bright
Ctrl’s commitment to deliver actionable intelligence through survey-grade drone technology, combined with other full-spectrum data collection capabilities, expert analytics and strategic partnerships, has positioned it as an industry leader. By providing comprehensive solutions from construction through asset monitoring—and now extending into wildfire response—Ctrl not only continues to enhance operational efficiency but also contributes significantly to public safety and environmental resilience. Keep an eye on Ctrl, a company poised to shape the future of energy management and disaster response.
By: Dawn Zoldi