Several sensor units (neurons) will be placed all over Austria to detect and predict icing events. APG will analyze the collected data, to further increase security of supply.
Austrian Power Grid (APG), the operator of the high-voltage transmission network in Austria, has based on thorough evaluation of providers selected the Norwegian company Heimdall Power for a 5-year contract for an innovative solution to ice monitoring. Heimdall developed this cutting-edge technology (sensors) to detect ice on overhead lines down to 1-2 mm thickness or 0,13 kg/m weight. Furthermore, the solution will even be able to predict icing events, so that pro-active measures can be taken to reduce or avoid negative impacts of icing events altogether.
Felbertauern in winter (photo: APG)
Icing on the lines in winter at Felbertauern (photo: APG)
Icing on overhead lines typically happens in remote alpine areas, which is both challenging and costly to monitor. Furthermore, icing events can damage structures of overhead lines and in extreme cases also endanger security of supply. Several sensor units (neurons) will be placed all over Austria to detect and predict icing events. APG will analyze the collected data, to further increase security of supply.
APG appreciated that the neurons are quick, safe & easy to install, that the solution is self-learning which makes the predictions even better over time as well as the low cost, which is ideal for scaling out. This is a modern and future-proof solution to a challenge many grid companies have battled with for decades.