The Brief A new device being developed could help spot problems on the power grid The sensor that’s designed to live directly on the power line alerts employees to potential problems in real time The device could help prevent wildfires and also track large energy loads like data centers that strain the gridA new device being developed at the University of Texas at Austin could help spot problems on the power grid before they lead to outages or even wildfires. Researchers say the technology could also help utilities manage growing demands on the grid as more data centers turn up. The driving force behind the project started with a simple goal: to provide rural utility operators with a better means of monitoring their large utility grid. Credit: UT AustinThe technology could also help prevent wildfires. The new rule also requires the data centers to quickly reduce their power consumption when ERCOT orders them to do so.