CASE C04 · JP · 2024
TEPCO Renewable Power: remote post-earthquake drone inspection trial at Kazunogawa Dam
In 2024 TEPCO Renewable Power trialled remote post-earthquake drone inspection at Kazunogawa Dam. Combining Starlink, private LTE and a drone port, it achieved remote control within about 2 km of the dam. No time savings were quantified, and regulatory and communications work remains before routine use.
| Owner | TEPCO Renewable Power |
| Provider | — |
| Location | Otsuki, Yamanashi, Japan |
| Aircraft | Autonomous drone with drone port (model not stated) |
| Sensors | camera (not specified) |
Before
After an earthquake, staff travel to the dam for an emergency inspection; mountain access is slow and route safety may be unknown.
With drones
Starlink backhaul, a private LTE base station and a drone port were installed so the drone could be flown remotely over the dam.
Outcomes
| Metric | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| remote operating range | remote control possible within about 2 km of the dam body | Reported |
| time or accuracy | not quantified; benefits described as no site travel and faster situational awareness | Reported |
Caveats & limits
- No quantified time or accuracy results.
- Operational use was targeted for FY2025 or later, pending consultation with authorities, safety arrangements and communications set-up.
- Replacing visual inspection with images plus 3D models is a future goal, not achieved.
Sources
- ドローンを活用したダム臨時点検の実証についてTEPCO Renewable Power Full text read
Sources checked: 2026-10-22