Sateliot and Sentrisense aim to turn power lines infrastructure smart using a 5G NB-IoT nanosatellite constellation.

The goal is to improve high voltage lines’ sensors connection in blank areas, helping first responders to pinpoint broken wires in just five minutes compared with the usual four hours.

Spanish firm Sateliot, creator of a satellite constellation offering 5G standard connectivity from space, and Swedish company Sentrisense have launched 5G satellite connectivity for IoT electric grid sensors.

Attached to electric towers and power lines, Sentrisense’s devices can connect seamlessly to cellular towers and satellite networks. This helps monitor and modify the right amperage and manage electric grids more efficiently, even in the case of accidents, fires or broken lines.

Sateliot’s 5G NB-IoT nanosatellite constellation will give Sentrisense the necessary access to retrieve data from all its devices, even if those are out of the reach of any cell tower connectivity.

Sentrisense’s devices can pinpoint broken or damaged wire locations within five minutes, instead of the actual average reaction time of four hours. With Sateliot’s constellation, Sentrisense will be able to expand its technology in any place on Earth, allowing first responders to answer the fastest in case of any eventuality. The company has deployed sensors to electric wires in the USA, Australia, Belgium, Chile, Spain and Sweden.

“The massive connectivity between 5G satellites and the sensors will allow far more accurate predictions on wear and tear analysis, alert to the presence of fallen trees or ice on the lines, and make models of wire inclination and distance from the ground and model the ideal ampacity, among other applications,” said Jaume Sanpera, CEO of Sateliot. “All of it with an affordable connection of just $1 per month per device.”

The agreement between Sateliot and Sentrisense is key to massive data gathering from sensors spread across several locations, which will also make electric grids smarter. The devices can gather information from the current ambient conditions, such as humidity, temperature, and wind direction and speed, making electric grids able to predict the weather and fire conditions. This feature brings electric grids to be more sustainable while preventing energy leaks, and makes them an ally to face heat waves or blizzard conditions.

Sentrisense sensors are attached directly to a hot line with a standard industrial SnapFast clamp, and they can even be installed with the use of a drone. Provided with a solar panel and a battery, the sensor allows for a ten years lifespan, and can be connected to several networks such as wifi, 4G or 5G to transmit the data gathered.

“This connectivity agreement will allow Sentrisense line guard sensors to connect anywhere in the world, even in remote locations,” said Sebastán Cerone, CEO of Sentrisense. “The electric grid is the largest engineering feat of humankind right now, by definition is an analogue asset, and we are fully digitising it. We want to turn the grid from a mere instrumental transporting method into a smart tool, able to predict fires and other weather and environmental hazards.”