Episode Notes
In this inaugural episode of the Clemson Drone Podcast, host Dr. Joe Burgett from Clemson University engages in a compelling conversation with two industry experts from Duke Energy—Jackson Rollins, the director of the unmanned aerial system, and Garrett Scott, the chief pilot. Duke Energy, a major utility company in the Southeast, services millions of customers across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida, utilizing a diverse energy portfolio.
Jackson Rollins sheds light on Duke's emergence into the drone space, outlining the evolution of their UAS program, which has now become the largest in South Carolina. With around 50 pilots, Duke Energy employs drones for a variety of tasks, particularly heavy on inspections. Garrett Scott delves into the intricacies of managing a mix of full-time and contract pilots, emphasizing safety, training, and collaboration with in-house experts.
The conversation covers the Carolina Grid Data Improvement Project, where Duke Energy's drone teams collect data on distribution infrastructure to enhance operational efficiency. Garrett details the strategies for training pilots with little drone or electrical infrastructure knowledge. The episode concludes with valuable advice for smaller utility companies interested in establishing their UAS programs, emphasizing the need for corporate policies, adherence to aviation standards, and collaborative networking within the drone industry.
About Jackson Rollins:
Jackson Rollins, with his extensive background in the utilities industry, serves as the Director of Unmanned Aerial Systems at Duke Energy Corporation. Holding a Civil Engineering degree with a focus on Structures from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Rollins brings a wealth of expertise in areas such as AutoCAD, Welding, Renewable Energy, Engineering Design, and Power Generation. His strong skills in program and project management have played a pivotal role in the growth of Duke Energy’s UAS team. Under his management, the team expanded from a mere two employees in 2015 to over 55, highlighting the increasing recognition of drones' potential to enhance safety and accomplish tasks previously deemed impossible.
About Garrett Scott:
An accomplished professional aviator and UAS leader, Garrett’s visionary approach and technical expertise drive transformative projects, earning him recognition as an influential industry figure, sought-after speaker, and problem solver for complex challenges. Embracing his role in shaping the future of drone operations, he passionately inspires the next generation of aviators and innovators.
Garrett's journey began at HAZON Solutions, where he took flight as a UAS Pilot and later the Training & Technology Division Manager. With his expertise, he not only set the gold standard for enterprise training in the commercial UAS realm but also spearheaded the company’s "training as a service" offering that catered to a league of Fortune 500 utility giants. Moving forward, Garrett's path led him to the Duke Energy UAS team, where he orchestrated the launch of the company's first large-scale UAS distribution GIS correction program. Today, as Duke Energy's Chief Pilot - UAS, Garrett continues to shape the future of large scale UAS operations.
Garrett is a certificated Private Pilot, ASEL, with an Instrument rating. He holds a B.S. in Aeronautics - Unmanned Aerial Systems and an M.S. in Aviation Leadership. Additionally, he is an ITC Level III - Master Thermographer. Garrett excels at seamlessly applying traditional aviation concepts to the emerging UAS industry
--
Contact Dr Joe Burgett | Clemson Drone:
Contact Jackson Rollins & Garrett Scott | Duke Energy: