22 October 2025
The DIREC-funded research project PERSIST will introduce autonomous drones to Danish power plants. Equipped with advanced AI, these drones can strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure by continuously monitoring everything from biomass piles to unauthorized intrusions.
Monitoring and safeguarding critical infrastructure such as biomass storage, tall structures, and harbor inlets is a complex task — but drones can make it far more efficient. In the new research project PERSIST, leading researchers and industry partners are testing AI-powered drones capable of overseeing issues ranging from overheated biomass piles to potential security breaches.
“You can hire as many guards and install as many surveillance cameras as you like, but often that’s not enough. Drones are far more effective at strengthening the security around critical infrastructure.”
Anders Lyhne Christensen, Project Leader and Professor at the SDU Drone Center
At present, drones are not used to protect Danish critical infrastructure — but PERSIST could pave the way for large-scale adoption. The benefits are clear. With computer vision, voice control, and intelligent planning algorithms, drones can patrol facilities 24/7. This continuous monitoring can both prevent fires in biomass piles and deter unauthorized intrusions.
During the project, drones will be tested at HOFOR and Ørsted power plants, with drone company Robotto validating the results. The two-year initiative aims to scale the solution across other critical sectors in Denmark.
“It’s truly unique that we get to test these drones directly at power plants — and absolutely essential for technological progress. The more we can test in real-world conditions, the faster we can scale this technology to a wide range of critical infrastructure applications,” says Anders Lyhne Christensen.
PERSIST brings together HOFOR and Ørsted’s expertise in operating critical infrastructure with the research capabilities of AAU and SDU, and Robotto’s state-of-the-art drone technology. The project exemplifies DIREC’s mission to create digital “dream teams” across sectors.
“Denmark succeeds with technology when we bring together the right teams of researchers, companies, and users around the right challenges. That’s exactly what PERSIST does. Projects like this deliver results that make Denmark more competitive,” says Thomas Riisgaard Hansen, Director of DIREC.
DIREC’s mission is to connect Denmark’s strongest digital research environments and move AI and digital technologies from the lab into real-world use. Curious about how drones can help secure critical infrastructure?
6:00 AM. The operator arrives at the power plant.
Before, the day began with a walk to the biomass pile — probe in hand, relying on a quick visual estimate.
Today, things look very different. The drones have already been at work. They’ve measured humidity, volume, and temperature — and sent the data directly to the operator’s dashboard.
Along the perimeter fence, a patrol drone hovers. It detects a person without safety gear and flags the situation as a potential threat. Documentation happens automatically, and the control room is alerted instantly — ready to act and inform the authorities.
