Signature of a memorandum of understanding between DRONE VOLT and Hydro-Québec for a technology of the future

From left to right: Christian Bélanger, Director Strategic and Transversal Projects of Hydro-Québec's Research Institute, Olivier Gualdoni, Executive Chairman & CEO at DRONE VOLT, Martin Laporte, CEO of DRONE VOLT Canada, and Jean Matte, Senior Director of Hydro-Québec's research institute.

DRONE VOLT, an embedded artificial intelligence expert and manufacturer of professional civil drones, and Hydro-Québec, Canada’s largest electricity producer and one of the world’s leading hydropower producers, have signed a memorandum of understanding to reach an agreement on the exclusive industrial development and marketing of a drone designed to inspect high-voltage power transmission lines. The drone is unique in that it can take very precise measurements on live lines using sensors developed by the teams at Hydro-Québec’s research center. With this technology, the work can be carried out without interrupting service.

Thanks to this solution, workers face considerably fewer risks and the number of traditional helicopter inspections is reduced, resulting in less GHG emissions. Once the industrial and commercial partnership agreement is finalized, DRONE VOLT will be able to market the drone throughout the world.

“For several months, DRONE VOLT’s strategy has been to focus on the inspection of power grids, and this agreement attests to our know-how in this area,” stated DRONE VOLT CEO and Chairman Olivier Gualdoni. “Moreover, Hydro-Québec, which has been carrying out various sustainable development initiatives for decades, made the decision to pursue discussions with a company that shares its values.”

“Hydro-Québec’s research center is developing many state-of-the-art technologies in different fields, in particular robotics,” noted Jean Matte, Senior Director of the research center. “Our drone technology allows us to safely inspect high-voltage lines in a wide range of geographic and climatic conditions without compromising continuity of service. We have been testing this technology on our own facilities for some years now and it has proven its effectiveness in simplifying our activities.”

About DRONE VOLT

Founded in 2011, DRONE VOLT is an aeronautics manufacturer specialized in professional civilian drones and artificial intelligence with operations in France, Benelux, Canada, Denmark, the United States, Switzerland and Indonesia. A global partner, DRONE VOLT offers its clients turnkey business solutions including different services and the training of drone pilots.

The DRONE VOLT Group, a member of GICAT (French land and air-land defense and security industry group), recorded sales of 7.1 million euros in 2019 (non-audited figures).

DRONE VOLT’s customers notably include government administrations and industrial groups such as the French army, the French Ministry of Defense, ENGIE, Total, Bouygues Energies & Services, ADP, the Air Transport Gendarmerie (GTA) and international government agencies.

DRONE VOLT has been designated as an “Innovative Enterprise” by Bpifrance.

DRONE VOLT is listed on the Euronext Growth market in Paris:

Action: Mnemonic: ALDRV.PA - ISIN code: FR0013088606 - Eligible: PEA, PEA-SME

BSA: Mnemonic: DRVBS - ISIN code: FR001286054

For more information: www.dronevolt.com

Next press release: 2019 annual results, March 18, 2020

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About Hydro-Québec
Hydro-Québec generates, transmits and distributes electricity. It is Canada’s largest electricity producer and ranks among the world’s largest hydropower producers. Its sole shareholder is the Québec government. It uses mainly renewable generating options, in particular large hydro. Its research center conducts R&D in energy-related fields, including energy efficiency. Since its creation in 1967 under the name Institut de recherche d’Hydro-Québec, or IREQ, its employees have obtained hundreds of patents and published thousands of articles.

For more information: www.hydroquebec.com

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