“Smart Spheres” in the Snow: Minnesota Power Instruments 200 Miles of Transmission Grid Along Lake Superior
If you squint, Northern Minnesota looks an awful lot like Norway.
Last week, Heimdall Power found itself in familiar territory as it began installing more than 50 Neurons across nearly 200 miles of Minnesota Power transmission line. Dubbed “smart spheres” by Minnesota Power, the Neurons now dot critical spans around Duluth and Brainerd, Minnesota, a landscape shaped by ice, steep hills, and sweeping views of Lake Superior.
The drone-based installation unfolded against a quintessential North Shore winter scene. Heavy snow blanketed access roads and transmission corridors, and temperatures hovered stubbornly in the single digits. Yet with careful coordination and cutting-edge drone technology, all Neurons were installed in just four working days.
As renewable generation across the region increases and customer demand patterns evolve, visibility across transmission lines becomes increasingly critical. By adding advanced monitoring to six critical transmission lines, Minnesota Power is positioning its operations to maximize existing infrastructure, reduce congestion, and prepare for a future defined by cleaner energy and greater electrification.
“This is one of the most practical, cost-effective ways to make our grid stronger and more flexible while supporting the transition of our transmission system to adapt to changing energy supply and customer needs,” said Dan Gunderson, Vice President of transmission system planning and operations at Minnesota Power.
“Our customers will benefit from avoiding costs related to system congestion and a grid that’s ready to adapt to the changing conditions on our system.”
The installations drew attention from local broadcast stations and regional energy reporters, eager to capture both the visual drama of winter drone operations and the broader significance of the investment. For a region that experiences some of the harshest weather in the continental United States, grid resilience is not an abstract concept—it is essential infrastructure that underpins homes, businesses, and industry.
"We are proud to be working with Minnesota Power as they take this important step toward a smarter, more reliable electric grid," said Jørgen Festervoll, CEO of HeimdallPower. "In a place where winter tests every system and every structure, resilience is more than buzz word—it’s a necessity. With this project, Minnesota Power is strengthening the backbone of the region’s energy future.”
Check out some of Minnesota Power’s media coverage here:
