BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Industrial Commission has approved $500,000 in Renewable Energy Program funds to Evolve Analytics, LLC for the development of Airtonomy, an autonomous, multi-drone operations solution that will be installed onsite in a custom drone housing unit. It will be powered by solar energy and operated remotely.
The technology can be used by wind farms for wildlife mortality monitoring and mitigation, routine inspection and maintenance, and safety and security. Utilizing drones and artificial intelligence will reduce the number of man-hours required walking in areas that can be dangerous or inaccessible.
In a joint statement the Commission stated, “This innovative technology will utilize North Dakota resources to significantly decrease the wind industry’s costs for monitoring and maintenance and increase productivity and safety while designing a potential manufacturing opportunity.”
The North Dakota Industrial Commission, consisting of Gov. Doug Burgum as chairman, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, oversees the Renewable Energy Program.
The Legislature established the program in 2007 to provide funding for research, development, marketing and education to foster growth of renewable energy including wind, biofuels, biomass, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal and hydrogen.
The next application deadline for the program is August 1, 2019.
For more information on approved projects or the program, contact Andrea Pfennig (701-328-3786) or Karlene Fine (701-328-3722) or visit: www.nd.gov/ndic/renew-infopage.htm.
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Karlene K. Fine, Executive Director and Secretary
State Capitol, 14th Floor - 600 E Boulevard Ave Dept 405 - Bismarck, ND 58505-0840
E-Mail: kfine@nd.gov
Phone: (701) 328-3722 FAX: (701) 328-2820
"Your Gateway to North Dakota”: www.nd.gov
Attachments: NORTH DAKOTA INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION AWARDS $500,000 IN RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAM FUNDS.pdf