Resilient Sensing for
Critical Utilities
Power grids, water networks, dams, and renewable energy plants are the backbone of modern society. Sensorlines fiber optic sensing ensures these critical systems remain safe, efficient, and continuously monitored — from generation to end consumer.
Power Transmission Line Monitoring
DTS-based Dynamic Cable Rating (DCR / DLR) along high-voltage overhead and underground transmission lines provides real-time thermal data that eliminates the need for conservative static ratings — safely increasing cable ampacity by 20–40% and preventing thermal failures that cause blackouts.
How It Works
For underground cables, a sensing fiber integrated into the cable sheath measures temperature at every 1 m along the cable's entire length. Real-time Joule heating models calculate the actual thermal headroom at each point — unlike static ratings that assume worst-case conditions everywhere simultaneously. For overhead lines, fiber strung on the same towers profiles conductor temperature via sag/tension telemetry. DAS on the same fiber detects third-party digging events near buried cables, partial discharge acoustic signatures, and cable joint hotspot formation before failure.
Key Capabilities
- Dynamic cable rating — safely increasing transmission capacity by 20–40%
- Cable joint and termination hotspot detection (<30 s)
- Partial discharge acoustic detection for insulation degradation
- Third-party digging and mechanical damage alerts
- SCADA integration for automated load balancing and re-routing
- Cable asset life extension through optimised thermal management
Water Pipeline Leak Detection
DAS along water distribution mains and transmission pipelines continuously detects the acoustic signatures of leaks, bursts, and illegal connections — delivering precise leak location without excavation and dramatically reducing non-revenue water (NRW) losses that cost utilities billions annually.
How It Works
Water escaping through a pipe defect creates turbulent flow noise that propagates along the pipe wall at the speed of sound in the pipe material. The DAS interrogator analyses the frequency spectrum and spatial propagation pattern of this noise — discriminating genuine leak signatures from valves, pumps, and traffic noise using machine learning. The system pinpoints leak locations to within ±10 m over 50 km of pipeline from a single unit, operating 24/7 without any manual survey walkovers.
Key Capabilities
- Continuous 24/7 pipeline leak monitoring — no manual surveys needed
- Pipe burst detection and location to within ±10 m
- Micro-leak detection from 0.1 L/s — well below visible leakage threshold
- Illegal water connection identification
- Pressure transient and water hammer analysis
- Non-revenue water (NRW) reduction consistently exceeding 30%
Dam & Reservoir Monitoring
Fiber optic sensing embedded in dam concrete, rock foundations, and embankment fills provides continuous monitoring of seepage, internal erosion, deformation, and settlement — delivering the earliest possible warning of dam distress to prevent catastrophic failure and protect downstream communities.
How It Works
DAS fiber sensors monitor internal structural activity and foundation shifts continuously, detecting dynamic movements and stress variations that indicate internal erosion or slope instability. DTS profiles seepage water temperature through the dam body — a temperature anomaly indicates preferential flow paths and early-stage piping. DAS monitors for acoustic emissions from cracking concrete, sliding rock, or opening of internal cracks. Both acoustic and temperature data streams integrate into an ICOLD-compliant dam safety management platform with automated alerting.
Key Capabilities
- Internal erosion and piping detection — earliest possible warning
- Dynamic vibration and structural integrity mapping
- Seepage temperature profiling — detects preferential flow paths
- Crest movement and tilt monitoring via acoustic signatures
- Earthquake response characterisation and seismic damage assessment
- ICOLD Bulletin 118-compliant safety monitoring and reporting
Renewable Energy Infrastructure Monitoring
Wind farm export cable networks, solar park underground cable systems, and offshore wind turbine foundations monitored by Sensorlines DTS and DAS — detecting cable faults, structural anomalies, and seabed scour events that threaten energy production and asset life.
How It Works
For offshore wind farms, DTS along inter-array and export cable runs (up to 200 km) provides thermal monitoring of the entire cable system, with Dynamic Cable Rating maximising energy throughput. DAS detects cable touchdown point movement, anchor drag damage, and seabed scour — alerting operations teams before cable fatigue reaches critical levels. For solar parks, buried cable networks are thermally monitored to prevent hotspot-induced insulation breakdown. DAS sensors in turbine towers track structural resonance and foundation vibrations.
Key Capabilities
- Offshore wind export cable thermal monitoring up to 200 km
- Solar park underground cable hotspot and fault detection
- Wind turbine tower structural resonance and foundation monitoring
- Cable landing point seabed scour and movement detection
- Dynamic cable rating to maximise energy output by up to 15%
- Monopile and jacket foundation geotechnical monitoring
Power the Future
Safely & Efficiently
Our engineering team is ready to help you protect your power, water, and renewable energy infrastructure with world-class fiber optic sensing.