A drone the size of a small car could be the future of clean energy maintenance

Clean-energy producers in cold climates have an ice problem, particularly for wind turbines. Ice accumulating on turbine blades can alter their shape, significantly changing how aerodynamic they are. The less aerodynamic the blades become, the less wind power they can harness, significantly decreasing their energy output. Some turbines have a built-in de-icing system, but for those that do not, removing ice is an expensive and labor-intensive process. Energy plants often hire helicopters to reach the taller points of the turbine, which can be over 250 feet (75 meters) in the air.