USA, Minnesota: Two Minnesota utilities are pioneering the use of high-tech devices known as “magic balls” to help deliver more clean energy to the power grid. About the size of a bowling ball and shaped like Pac-Man, the sensors attach to transmission lines to collect real-time data on temperature, wind, and voltage.
Using artificial intelligence, the data is processed to determine exactly how much electricity a line can safely carry. The result: utilities can transmit far more power than previously thought. Great River Energy reports up to 60 % more capacity on certain lines after testing the technology.
The devices, part of a system called dynamic line rating, are inexpensive and quick to install. Minnesota Power recently used drones to attach 52 sensors to six highly congested lines in the Duluth area, all without interrupting electricity service.
The technology allows more renewable energy from wind and solar farms to reach homes and businesses, supporting the state’s goal of 100 % carbon-free electricity by 2040. Experts say it also saves money for consumers, with a Rocky Mountain Institute study showing similar grid-enhancing tools could save $1 B annually in five states.
While widely used in Europe, adoption in the US has been slower due to regulatory structures that favour large infrastructure projects over small, cost-effective solutions. Minnesota has taken steps to encourage this innovation, requiring utilities to explore grid-enhancing technologies on congested lines.
Source: MPR News
