LiDAR Survey for a massive energy development in Pohnpei

Conduct a LiDAR and Photogrammetry survey for key development areas

Client

Vital Energy & the FSM Government

Project Type

Topographic Mapping

Location

Pohnpei

Project Overview

As part of a major energy and infrastructure development initiative, Vital Energy and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Government partnered with 2cofly to conduct a 7,500-acre LiDAR and photogrammetry survey. The purpose of this large-scale aerial survey was to map the terrain, analyze land features, and provide high-resolution geospatial data to support renewable energy development, infrastructure planning, and environmental assessments.

Leveraging drone-mounted LiDAR and high-resolution photogrammetry, 2cofly completed the survey efficiently and with unmatched accuracy, delivering critical data for decision-makers across various industries.

The Challenge

A project of this scale presented several challenges:

Vast & Diverse Terrain – The 7,500-acre area included forests, coastal regions, hills, and undeveloped land, requiring comprehensive coverage. The biggest challenge was setting ground control points in the jungle, where we were required to hike all day a lot of times.
High-Accuracy Requirements – To support energy and infrastructure planning, centimeter-level accuracy was needed for grading, land suitability analysis, and resource allocation.
Speed & Efficiency – Traditional ground-based surveying would have taken years to complete, requiring significant labor and resources.

By using drones equipped with LiDAR and high-resolution cameras, 2cofly was able to map the entire site quickly and cost-effectively, significantly reducing project timelines.

Approach & Methodology

Dual-Method Data Collection for Maximum Precision

✔ LiDAR Scanning for Topographic Data – Captured high-density 3D elevation models, even in vegetated and hard-to-reach areas.

✔ Photogrammetry for Visual Analysis – Created high-resolution orthomosaic maps for clear, up-to-date site visualization.

Optimized Aerial Survey Workflow

✔ Strategic Flight Planning – The mission was planned to maximize coverage efficiency and minimize data gaps over the vast area.

✔ Rapid Data Processing & Delivery – Advanced data processing methods ensured that Vital Energy and FSM Government received actionable insights within a short timeframe. We completed the drone scan within one month!

Deliverables Provided

✔ High-Resolution Orthomosaic Maps – Georeferenced imagery offering precise, real-world site visualization.

✔ 3D LiDAR Point Cloud – A dense, highly accurate dataset for terrain modeling and analysis.

✔ Digital Elevation Model (DEM) – Essential for infrastructure planning, hydrology studies, and environmental assessments.

✔ Topographic Contour Maps – Provided elevation-based insights for engineering, construction, and energy projects.

Results & Project Impact

✔ Faster & More Efficient Data Collection

By using drone technology, 2cofly mapped 7,500 acres in a fraction of the time required by traditional methods, allowing stakeholders to move forward with planning and development faster.

✔ High-Accuracy Data for Infrastructure & Energy Planning

With precise elevation models and detailed aerial imagery, Vital Energy and FSM Government gained crucial insights to support:

Renewable energy site selection and planning
Infrastructure development and road layout optimization
Environmental assessments and sustainability studies

✔ Cost Savings & Scalable Data for Future Use

By reducing manual labor and accelerating data collection, the project saved substantial costs while also generating reusable geospatial datasets for future development initiatives.

Conclusion

This 7,500-acre LiDAR and photogrammetry survey for Vital Energy and FSM Government showcases the game-changing role of drone technology in large-scale infrastructure and energy planning. By providing high-accuracy, real-time geospatial data, 2cofly enabled faster decision-making, optimized project planning, and significant cost savings for critical development initiatives in FSM.

For governments, energy companies, and developers seeking advanced topographic mapping, LiDAR surveys, or large-area geospatial data solutions, 2cofly delivers cutting-edge drone surveying services designed for efficiency, accuracy, and long-term value.

2cofly (pronounced Ecofly) is Micronesia's leading drone service and education provider. Our core competency lies in remote sensing via various sensing technologies such as photogrammetry, LiDAR, thermal and more.

Few key deliverables we can output with our drones & sensors: