As a regional grid operator, LEW Verteilnetz GmbH (LVN) is responsible for the reliable and safe operation of the power grid in its region. The LVN grid supplies the Bavarian county of Swabia and parts of Upper Bavaria with almost 22000 miles of power lines, including 1200 miles of high voltage lines. Parts of the grid are situated in regions where winters traditionally bring with them heavy frost and ice load on the lines.

The features and capabilities of the ASTROSE® wireless sensor nodes for monitoring ice load on overhead lines represent the state of the art in the field.

LEW Verteilnetz GmbH has decided to commission a pilot ASTROSE® system to detect ice on its lines in the winter. The autonomous wireless sensor nodes are mounted in sections of a 110 kV line in the Donau-Ries district, which has historically been exposed to considerable ice loads. Every 15 minutes, the sensor system feeds back relevant monitoring data from the lines to an industrial PC workstation. Special analytical software on the PC immediately checks the incoming data for possible ice load. LVN personnel are then notified by text message and email of the situation.