Monitoring the US Power Grid
A network of compact surveillance sensors could soon be monitoring the US power grid. Sensors attached to electricity pylons would spot problems like bad weather or other damages and automatically re-route around trouble spots. Electricity companies already measure the load on power lines to spot problems and divert power around them. But the wireless sensor network under development at Iowa State University will provide firms with much more detailed information.
Every pole will have a small box attached, incluiding a camera. It will detect movement, temperature, humidity and monitor the power in the lines. The sensor boxes will connect to one another using wireless links, and will feed information on what is happening on the grid back to a central control station. They will run on batteries and solar panels so they can keep relaying information if the power is cut. The control system will then make decisions on how to reroute power around any problems detected.
Protecting the 157,810 miles of power lines in the US is the main focus of the project, there are a lot of lines across very remote areas and with no way to monitor them.
You can visit the Project’s info at the Dependable Computing and Networking Laboratory
