Watt's in the News? - Volume 37

Earlier this month we ended one of our stories with a look to future innovations in our country's electric grid. One new innovation is already making its presence known in Europe and may be starting to catch on in the United States. By attaching sensors to high voltage transmission lines, power utilities can determine the real-time temperature of the power line. With this knowledge, utility operators can increase the amount of power (electricity) flowing through the line.  

An individual sensor weighs around eight pounds and is about the size of a bowling ball. The sensors can be attached to high voltage transmission lines by drones, making it easy for power utilities to install. The sensors operate using electricity from the lines they are attached to. Once a sensor is installed and operational, it measures the temperature of the line and relays that information to the utility operators. This information tells the utility company how close each line is to maxing out on its power capacity.