Now that the United States has committed $4.5 billion to implement so-called smart grid technology over its energy infrastructure, AT&T is trying to stay ahead of the curve by getting into the smart grid sensor business.

AT&T Wesdnesday announced a deal with energy technology vendor Cooper Power Systems to jointly sell and market sensor devices that will be activated on smart grid power networks. The sensors will run over AT&T’s wireless data network and AT&T says they will deliver “real-time performance data” to help utility companies “efficiently operate their electric grids, reduce the need for on-site inspection and identify and solve problems that could cause outages or increase system energy losses.”

Cooper Power Systems’ Energy Automation Solutions wing concentrates mainly on developing smart grid technologies that help utility companies improve their metering infrastructure, their responses to power demands and sensors that monitor power use. Under its agreement with AT&T, Cooper Power will run two of its core smart grid technologies over AT&T’s network; the OutageAvisor, which helps utility companies locate outage along their delivery lines; and the VARAdvisor, which AT&T describes as “a low-cost sensor alternative to manual inspection of equipment that controls the voltage supplied to consumers.”

More here.