Deploying Enterprise Solutions Across Energy

In this session, we’ll explore how DJI’s enterprise drone ecosystem is transforming field operations across the energy sector. You’ll see how advanced platforms like the Matrice 350 RTK and Matrice 400 RTK, paired with powerful payloads such as the Zenmuse H30 and Zenmuse L2, enable safe, efficient, and data-driven workflows for inspection and mapping.

We’ll cover how these solutions streamline asset management across utilities and oil & gas, allowing teams to capture detailed visual, thermal, and LiDAR data in a fraction of the time required by traditional methods. Attendees will learn how DJI’s hardware and software ecosystem simplifies everything from powerline inspections to pipeline mapping and site surveying—empowering energy organizations to make faster, more informed decisions.

Through real-world case studies from US Air Unmanned and Columbia REA, you’ll see how energy professionals are using DJI drones to reduce field time, improve worker safety, and deliver high-accuracy data products like orthomosaics, 3D models, and LiDAR-based terrain maps.

What You’ll Gain

- Real-world insights from US Air Unmanned and Columbia REA: how their teams deploy DJI enterprise drones for powerline and oil & gas infrastructure inspections.

- Understanding LiDAR and imaging workflows: how the Zenmuse L2 and H30 enable millimeter-level mapping, vegetation analysis, and visual/thermal inspection in a single flight.

- End-to-end field efficiency: tips for mission setup, payload optimization, and data processing that drive measurable ROI.

- Practical applications: from detecting equipment anomalies and vegetation encroachment to generating digital elevation models and engineering-grade maps.

Ideal For

- Professionals in utilities, oil & gas, and energy infrastructure seeking to modernize inspection and mapping workflows.

- Asset managers, engineers, and GIS specialists looking to adopt LiDAR and high-resolution imaging for operational decision-making.

- Drone program operators and pilots aiming to expand from visual inspections into advanced data collection and analysis.

Michael Li

Solutions Engineer at DJI

Michael Li is a Solutions Engineer at DJI, where he focuses on the Energy sector, including Oil & Gas, Utilities, and Wind. He has over 8 years of experience in the drone industry, and has worked with a variety of end users and solution providers. In his previous role, Michael collaborated with drone service providers, drone delivery services, and the Department of Defense.

Bryan Maas

Field Engineer at Columbia REA

Bryan is a Field Engineer at Columbia REA, an electric utility serving Southeast Washington State. He specializes in the design of overhead and underground power distribution systems for residential, commercial, and agricultural applications throughout our service area. With over 17 years of experience in the utility industry, he is always looking to leveraging new technologies to improve the design processes and enhance efficiency, reliability, and safety across the cooperative.

Chad Nelson

SUAS Operations Leader at US Air Unmanned

Chad Nelson is an accomplished SUAS operations leader and aerospace manufacturing expert with over 20 years of experience across defense, energy, and public safety sectors. As Chief Pilot at US Air Unmanned, he oversees complex aerial operations for utility and oil & gas clients, specializing in inspections, mapping, and regulatory compliance. His background spans UAS development with ONR and DARPA programs, advanced manufacturing for F-18 and F-35 components, and extensive safety leadership as a Certified Safety Management Specialist. Chad’s unique combination of technical precision, flight experience, and safety expertise continues to drive innovation and operational excellence in unmanned systems.

Jeff Chalfa

UAV Operations at US Air Unmanned

Jeff Chalfa is a highly experienced UAV Operations Manager and Chief Pilot with a proven track record in unmanned aerial systems for oil and gas, infrastructure inspection, and environmental monitoring. With more than a decade of experience integrating advanced aerial technologies—such as Optical Gas Imaging (OGI), LiDAR, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), and AI-assisted analytics—Jeff leads innovative drone operations that enhance safety, compliance, and data accuracy across complex industrial environments.As UAV Operations Manager and Project Lead for Hilcorp Energy Alaska, Jeff oversees multi-site UAV missions supporting methane detection, flare stack inspections, turbine stack assessments, and subsurface mapping. He develops and enforces Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that ensure compliance with FAA, EPA, and FCC regulations, while managing pilot assignments, sensor procurement, and fleet maintenance.Jeff’s background as a former commercial airline pilot and IT systems analyst adds depth to his operational precision, data management expertise, and safety-driven leadership. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from East Tennessee State University and certifications under FAA Part 61 and Part 107. His broad technical proficiency—spanning LiDAR, OGI, TDLAS, hyperspectral imaging, and GIS data systems—positions him at the forefront of drone-based inspection and mapping innovation for the energy and industrial sectors.