Sunlight and a few daytime clouds. High 71F. Wind E at 5 to 10 mph.

It’s cloudy. Low 52F. E winds at 5 to 10 mph.

Above the larger drone hovers a small drone with a high-resolution camera that determines where to spray the herbicide on the roof of a closed reactor building on a stretch of the Savannah river.

A view of an aerial drone gliding over the roof of a sealed and enclosed reactor building on a stretch of the Savannah river.

Above the larger drone hovers a small drone with a high-resolution camera that determines where to spray the herbicide on the roof of a closed reactor building on a stretch of the Savannah river.

Using drones to monitor conditions and control vegetation atop closed reactor facilities on a stretch of the Savannah river has proven to be quite a money saver.

By relying on specialized drones – instead of helicopters and photographers, as was the practice – the SRS team has managed to save more than $ 170,000 a year, according to a new announcement made jointly on the site and the U.S. Department of energy.

“The use of drones to test the roofs of closed reactors high above the ground using high-resolution video cameras provides a significant boost to our efficiency and effectiveness,” Savannah River operations Management physical scientist Philip Prater said. “Unmanned aerial vehicles also allow for post-closure surveillance and maintenance activities at these facilities, allowing our workers to be safe.”

Using a drone to capture footage from the p and R roof of the reactor cut costs in half, according to the announcement. The reactors were decommissioned years ago-certainly enough time for some greens to take over.

A view of an aerial drone gliding over the roof of a sealed and enclosed reactor building on a stretch of the Savannah river.

“With the discovery of vegetative growth on reactor roofs, that could allow root invasion,” said Chris Bergren, Savannah river nuclear solutions Director for environmental compliance and project completion areas.

To combat this, a continuous drone for spraying herbicides has been developed.

The unmanned aerial vehicle program on the Savannah river site is carried out by the Virginia Institute of Technology; the University is home to the unmanned systems laboratory, where air-and ground-vehicle research is done.

“We have recognized for some time the enormous potential drone technology offers us in many areas as part of the SRNS missions contracted to achieve on SRS,” Bergren said.

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions is a facility management and operations contractor.

Colin Demarest covers the Savannah river site, the U.S. Department of energy, the National nuclear safety administration, and the government at large. Follow him on Twitter: @demarest_colin