How Advanced Fiber-Optic Sensors Are Preventing Power Grid Failures?
By Emily Newton
Transformers, transmission lines, and substations are essential for reliable electricity distribution but are prone to damage. Traditional monitoring equipment can’t keep up with the grid’s evolving needs. Only a resilient, modern solution can help operators prevent outages.
They can utilize fiber-optic sensors for a wide range of applications, from transformers to natural gas pipelines. These tools provide continuous, real-time data along the entire length of the cable. Their small size and light weight make them ideal for promoting grid stability.
Obstacles In The Way Of The Clean Energy Transition
The power grid is under strain and requires modernization. Existing infrastructure wasn’t built with renewable sources and data centers in mind, so it will struggle to support the country’s growing electricity demand.
It may be inadequate as projected load growth increases, especially as older structures are retired. According to the United States Department of Energy, annual outage hours could increase from the single digits to 800 hours yearly if it retires 104 gigawatts by 2030 without replacements ready. Blackouts would increase by a magnitude of 100.
This may happen sooner than later, given that an estimated 70% of the transmission lines in the U.S. are pushing three decades old, nearing the end of their service life. To provide enough power and support the clean energy transition, urgent action is necessary.
The Core Principles Of Fiber-Optic Sensing Systems
Despite being the diameter of a single human hair, an optical fiber is six times stronger than titanium and 40,000 times clearer than a diamond. Each strand is some 30 miles long. The protective jacket, cladding, and core fit inside this minuscule form factor.
Since the cladding has a lower refractive index (RI), it helps confine the light, ensuring efficient transmission with minimal loss. The outermost layer protects it from physical damage and mechanical stress, improving durability.
Fiber-optic-based systems are useful for monitoring because they are compact, lightweight, and resistant to harsh environmental conditions. They are also resistant to electromagnetic interference and highly compatible with modern data communication systems.
How Fiber-Optic Sensors Prevent Power Grid Failures
When engineers use fiber-optic sensors for transformers, pipelines, or power lines, they often rely on these three mechanics.
Fiber Bragg Grating: Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors are lightweight, compact tools. Development has progressed significantly, with advancements focusing on supporting durability in harsh environments and long-term monitoring applications.
They operate on the Bragg diffraction principle, which involves specific wavelengths of light reflecting off the surfaces formed by atomic planes in a crystal lattice. When they interact with the Bragg grating—an intentional variation in the RI—inscribed on the central part of the fiber, they reflect.
Wavelength shift is inherently linear, so operators can measure it precisely. This mechanism makes these high-resolution sensors ideal for monitoring physical parameters.
Distributed Acoustic Sensing: Fiber-optic distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) demonstrates great promise in smart grid integrations due to its long-distance coverage, resistance to electromagnetic interference, high sensitivity, and real-time capabilities.
DAS comprises an optical transceiver module and an electronic acquisition module, which contain laser sources, acousto-optic modulator, signal processing units, and data analysis platforms—the cutting edge of optics, computing, and electronics.
This system lets operators measure highly dense acoustic waves or vibrations within seconds. For example, they can monitor power lines with ice buildup or a gas-insulated switchgear’s partial discharge based on the conversion of mechanical and electrical energy.
Dynamic Line Rating: Dynamic line rating (DLR) improves grid stability by providing data on the capacity of transmission lines. Unlike traditional approaches, it accounts for real-time conditions. It helps operators make informed decisions about load management, preventing overloading.
Fiber-optic sensing contributes to DLR by enabling exact thermal ratings in power transmission. It enhances existing network monitoring by improving visibility into power distribution infrastructure.
The Real-World Applications Of Fiber-Optic Sensors
Fiber-optic sensors can enhance grid stability and prevent outages with upstream, midstream, and downstream applications.
Energy Production Equipment: Professionals can incorporate this technology into renewable sources or oil and gas production. It lets them monitor and maintain the hardware that facilitates energy production, preventing unexpected equipment failures. For instance, they can integrate it into Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems for real-time, automated alerts.
Pipelines And Transmission Lines: Natural gas plays a central role in the power grid. Unfortunately, the complex network of transmission pipelines that spans thousands of miles is prone to leaks. Fiber optics can pinpoint these faults with incredible precision.
The laser light transmitted through the optical fiber produces backscattered light, revealing minor imperfections indicative of physical damage. These signals can travel at around 70%-75% of the speed of light under ideal circumstances. The sensors also can detect water condensation within pipelines, helping identify early signs of corrosion.
Power Transformers: Transformers are the power grid’s backbone, so, unfortunately, their functionality depends so heavily on temperature monitoring. Excess heat accelerates insulation degradation, leading to costly repairs or complete failure.
Fiber-optic sensors for transformers are directly embedded into winding spacers. They are placed as close as possible to hot spots to maximize precision. Unlike traditional temperature gauges, which are prone to delays and inaccurate estimates, they are effective.
Opsens Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) probes are designed with GaAs crystals at the tip of the fiber to measure temperature fluctuations through shifts in the absorption spectrum, while FBG is photo-inscribed in the core of a single-mode optical fiber to reflect specific wavelengths. Both have fast response times and are highly accurate.
Power Plants And Refineries: Implementing fiber optics in power plants and refineries lets industry professionals capture physical and environmental data on generators and turbines. This way, they can identify and mitigate wear and tear, preventing catastrophic failures that could lead to lengthy outages.
Advanced Fiber-Optic Sensors Can Support Grid Stability
Whether professionals use fiber-optic sensors for transformers or power lines, they support grid stability. This technology helps create a resilient, self-sufficient environment, moving past reactive maintenance. Locating faults with pinpoint accuracy drastically reduces unplanned downtime, making outages less likely and deferring expensive infrastructure upgrades.