WIKA Signed Licensing Deal for Power Grid Sensors
The industrialization of ASTROSE sensors targets grid capacity upgrades through long-term research collaboration.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Energy
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WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG finalized a licensing and development agreement in late July 2026 to commercialize the ASTROSE overhead line monitoring system. This technology, which has undergone 15 years of research, enables real-time grid infrastructure data collection.
Why it matters
By deploying sensors that provide granular data on existing lines, utilities can optimize power capacity without constructing new physical infrastructure. The partnership aims to bridge long-standing research with commercial scalability across new international markets.
The ASTROSE system uses self-powered sensor nodes that measure conductor temperature, current flow, inclination, and torsion. Following 15 years of development, the system is now undergoing a five-year collaborative effort to adapt its hardware for international regulatory requirements.
The players
WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG
A German industrial measurement technology company now holding the rights to produce and market the ASTROSE system.
Fraunhofer IZM and Fraunhofer ENAS
German research institutions specializing in micro-system integration and electronic nanosystems that developed the ASTROSE technology.
The details
The ASTROSE system relies on sensor nodes installed directly onto overhead power lines. These devices capture physical and electrical telemetry, which is then transmitted wirelessly to operators for grid management. The technology is already deployed in Germany, Switzerland, and Chile, providing operators with visibility into the structural and thermal health of power lines to prevent failures and identify capacity bottlenecks.
Timeline
2009: Initial research and development of ASTROSE technology began.
End of July 2026: The commercialization and R&D collaboration agreement was signed.
Next five years: The duration of the new collaborative development period.
The Tech Race
This agreement transitions the ASTROSE project from a 15-year institutional research phase into a commercial lifecycle. It follows the standard trajectory for European industrial R&D, where specialized institutes partner with local manufacturers to push lab-proven hardware into global grid infrastructure.
The system is currently operational in Germany, Switzerland, and Chile, with plans to launch in North America. Its rollout depends on adapting the sensor nodes to meet the specific technical and regulatory requirements of those new regional power grids.
The takeaway
The move from R&D to commercial production highlights the industry effort to squeeze more capacity out of existing transmission lines. Future updates will focus on whether the hardware can successfully clear North American grid certification within the five-year development window.
Further reading
For broader trends in grid modernization, see our coverage in Energy.
More information
View the Fraunhofer official news announcement regarding the licensing agreement.
Live Poll
Should nations prioritize upgrading existing power grids with new sensors over constructing new power lines?
