Energy Commission Funds GridWrap Line Upgrade
A $5.9 million California Energy Commission project will validate GridWrap's Composite WiRe Wrap technology on existing overhead power lines.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Utilities
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The California Energy Commission selected GridWrap Inc., a San Diego-based company, for a $5.9 million project to validate and commercialize its Composite WiRe Wrap technology. The technology is installed directly onto existing overhead conductors to boost their capacity.
Why it matters
Rising electricity demand from AI, data centers, cloud computing, and electrification is straining grid infrastructure in California, while wildfires, extreme heat, and storms add pressure on aging lines. The project will give California utilities independent, real-world evidence on whether the technology can meet grid needs at a fraction of replacement cost.
The $5.9 million award is paired with company-reported targets of up to 2X line capacity, up to 75% less thermal sag, and an installed cost roughly one-tenth that of conventional reconductoring. These are manufacturer claims that the funded project will test in the field, and the company's estimate that the system could save California ratepayers up to $12 billion has not been independently verified.
The players
GridWrap Inc.
A San Diego, California-based company developing the Composite WiRe Wrap technology for reinforcing and increasing the capacity of overhead power lines.
California Energy Commission
The state agency that selected GridWrap for the $5.9 million project to validate and commercialize the technology.
The details
Composite WiRe Wrap is installed directly onto existing overhead conductors using an autonomous robotic system, which reduces the need for field crews and service disruptions. The company says the wrap also mechanically reinforces lines against ice, snow, and wind.
Roadmap
The project positions a retrofit approach against conventional reconductoring, which replaces conductors outright and is typically more expensive. It fits a broader push to add capacity to existing California grid assets as demand from data centers and electrification grows.
If the technology proves out, California utilities could upgrade lines with less disruption than full replacement, which may limit how much grid upgrade costs reach ratepayers. The outcome of the field validation will determine whether that cost advantage materializes.
The takeaway
Whether retrofitting existing lines can meet California's growing power demand at lower cost will depend on field results from projects like this one. Readers tracking utility bills and grid reliability should watch for the independent performance data.
Further reading
For more on how grid operators are handling rising demand, see Utilities coverage across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Compositesworld.
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