Lindsey Manufacturing TLM conductor monitor. Photo: Lindsey Manufscturing.

Iridium Communications announced a new partnership with Lindsey Manufacturing. The partnership expands Iridium’s footprint in the transmission utility day-ahead-power-transfer capacity market by integrating satellite communications with transmission line analytic solutions.

Lindsey Manufacturing specializes in power line conductor behavior monitoring, which typically relies on cellular connectivity. Their new software solution, called Smartline, enhances traditional Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) methods for utility companies by enabling more reliable and accurate measurement capabilities and better managing power line capacity to maximize the power grid. They do this through leveraging the Iridium network and integrating their software with an Iridium 9603 modem. The integrated device is then attached to the energized, high voltage conductor and can store all collected data in a cloud-based site or on a company’s server.

According to Lindsey Manufacturing, the kinds of electric line data the software can provide include 24-hour and two-hour look-ahead load capacity, 99 percent accurate forecasting capabilities, conductor temperature, and conductor clearance to ground data points. Utilities using Smartline DLR technology will have access to these capabilities and data for transmission lines located anywhere on the planet, including remote areas where communication infrastructure is typically compromised or largely unavailable.