MN Power launches ‘smart sphere’ technology

DULUTH, Minn.– Innovative technology is taking over how Minnesota power lines will be operated, with simple, 8 pound, ‘smart spheres’ and drones.

The sphere sensors installed using drones provides real time data on weather, temperature, and line conditions.

They send the data back, using cellular, and satellite connections, and they’re powered by the lines themselves.

Having this upgrade to power lines, is supposed to increase reliability, and efficiency.

“We’ve liked what we’ve seen from the product here, and a lot of other utilities have had really good experiences, both with the install the information, as well as their capability to to actually achieve the goals that you want with a sensor system like this,” said Dan Gunderson, Vice President Transmission Planning Operations, MN Power.

The plan is to install 52 spheres across northern Minnesota.

Officials said they are inexpensive to install and can be left alone in the power line for up to 10 years.

“The pilot will take it up to the line, and then the drone actually takes over. The drone senses the line. It flies itself to the line safely, keeps the line 100% safe, closes the neuron around that line, disengages, and then the pilot can return it safely to the ground,” said Brian Berry, Chief Product Officer, Heimdall Power.

The sensors, officially called “Neurons”, were designed and built by Heimdall Power based out in Norway.