Photometry and Image Capturing Systems (PICS)

Systems & Technology Research (STR) is proposing a low-cost system to monitor activity on the power this through passive means by observing light sources. The proposed prototype will be a self-contained unit, with its own power storage, on board processing and data reduction, which can be deployed in hard-to-reach places. Wide field of view observations will allow us to obtain photometry from multiple source at different locations using lightbulbs in streetlamps, office buildings and homes as a proxy sensor to probe behavior of the power grid. Machine learning techniques will be applied to classify the light sources, detect anomalous behavior, and transients. Long term observations will allow us to establish patterns of life. A distributed system of proposed instruments will allow us to deduce power grid topology, derive flow of electricity, and assess the performance of the power grid.