Solar-Powered Line Sensors Predict Wildfires

With solar-powered sensors and an algorithm running 6,000 measurements per second, California-based Gridware is securing transmission and distribution lines against wildfire threats. The platform analyzes harmonics from utility poles to locate equipment failures, downed lines, vegetation encroachment, pole tilt, and other risks. 

The startup’s Gridscope sensors integrate solar panels to sustain operations during outages. With continuous measurements, each Gridscope employs analog and digital signal processing to generate data locally on the device. After detecting a fault, the software alerts the utility with a precise location and cause, among other data points. 

Transmission and distribution systems have deployed these sensors across eight states, including wildfire-prone territories in California, Colorado, and Oregon. Gridware has installed about 13,000 Gridscopes with 18 utilities.

Gridware’s solar-powered sensors are mounted on transmission and distribution poles. Image used courtesy of Gridware

Preventing Ignitions With AI Algorithms

Gridscopes contain transducers and piezoelectric sensors to monitor acoustic spectral data and vibrations. The embedded analytics algorithm uses signal processing to identify fault-related anomalies. Relevant data is sent to the Gridpatrol dashboard, which features prioritized reports with fault sites and categories, equipment health scores, damage assessments, failure predictions, and real-time wind, temperature, humidity, and pressure conditions. 

Gridware claims utilities can install Gridscopes across all poles for less than the liability cost of a wildfire. Installation doesn’t require de-energizing lines, upgrading infrastructure, or integrating with existing IT systems. The sensors can operate in remote areas via cellular and satellite communications. They also resist water, extreme wind and snow, and UV damage. 

Gridware’s sensors monitor several high-risk areas in California today, covering 1,000 miles in partnership with the state’s largest utility, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E). 

California utilities are investing heavily in wildfire mitigation programs. The state has seen 6,733 wildland fires in 2024 so far. Firefighting agencies responded to 7,300 wildfires last year that burned 332,822 acres statewide, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Electrical power generation, distribution, and transmission infrastructure ignited 176 of these events. 

Map of wildfire threat districts in California. Image used courtesy of the California Public Utilities Commission

Gridware Proves Concept With Utilities

The four-year-old startup has raised over $18 million and validated its technology with utilities. Last year, Gridware ran a pilot demonstration with New York City-based utility Con Edison. Installing the project’s 100 Gridscopes took less than 15 minutes per device, each positioned on alternating poles across four circuit segments. 

Gridware returned no false positives throughout the pilot, with 11 events corroborated by Con Edison’s system. Some alerts revealed significant issues, including an overhead equipment failure and a large fallen tree that led to an extended service disruption. In another case, the sensors detected equipment stress with conductor clashing and arcing that caused a temporary disruption. 

Gridscope features. Image used courtesy of Gridware 

California’s PG&E also uses Gridscope sensors to protect its assets. The utility cited Gridware in its 2023-2025 Wildfire Mitigation Plan, which outlines a strategy to combine various advanced protection and monitoring technologies like downed conductor detection, drones, and partial voltage systems. PG&E has installed 1,875 Gridscopes on its enhanced powerline safety setting (EPSS) circuits. EPSS devices immediately shut off power lines within one-tenth of a second after contacting trees or other hazards. 

In its most recent fire mitigation program, PG&E added 2,041 more devices to monitor mid-span infrastructure, allowing crews to prevent ignitions in more than a dozen events. The utility will expand Gridware’s reach to 10,000 locations this year.