Use Cases
A subsurface timing and signaling layer for utilities, telecom, defense, and industrial infrastructure.
Modern infrastructure depends on fragile, surface‑level systems such as fiber, RF, and GPS. All of which fail underground, in remote terrain, or during outages. Grid Keeper introduces aconduction‑basedsubsurface corridor that delivers timing and low‑rate signaling through soil and rock, enabling communication where traditional systems cannot operate.
Below are real‑world scenarios showing how Grid Keeper solves critical industry problems.
Siemens Energy — Eliminating Cabling Permit Delays
The Problem
Underground cabling projects require:
trenching permits
environmental review
traffic disruption plans
contractor scheduling
These steps routinely delay modernization projects by 12–18 months.
The Impact
Project timelines slip. Budgets inflate. Utilities wait.
How Grid Keeper Helps
Grid Keeper provides a subsurface conduction‑based timing layer that does not require:
trenching
cabling
fiber
surface disruption
Siemens can deploy timing and signaling without waiting for permits, accelerating delivery by months.
Outcome
Faster modernization. Lower cost. Fewer regulatory hurdles.
Xcel Energy — Reliable Telemetry for Underground Crews
The Problem
Xcel’s underground crews lose communication in:
tunnels
vaults
culverts
deep utility corridors
RF cannot penetrate soil or concrete, forcing crews to rely on:
wired sensors
temporary repeaters
manual readings
The Impact
Safety risks increase. Inspections slow down. Maintenance becomes reactive.
How Grid Keeper Helps
Grid Keeper provides a stable subsurface signaling corridor that:
penetrates soil and rock
maintains signal where RF fails
supports low‑rate telemetry for underground crews
Outcome
Continuous underground communication. Improved safety. Reduced downtime.
Colorado DOT — Communication Inside Tunnels
The Problem
CDOT struggles with:
communication dead zones in tunnels
unreliable RF penetration
expensive wired systems
maintenance disruptions
Emergency crews often lose signal inside long tunnels.
The Impact
Safety risks. Slow response times. High infrastructure cost.
How Grid Keeper Helps
Grid Keeper provides a conduction‑based corridor that:
penetrates tunnel walls
maintains low‑rate signaling
supports emergency communication
requires no RF repeaters
Outcome
Continuous tunnel communication. Improved safety. Lower maintenance burden.
City of Littleton — Accurate Subsurface Asset Location
The Problem
Littleton Public Works relies on the A–D method for locating buried assets:
potholing (accurate but slow and expensive)
GPR (±18" accuracy, fails on plastic, clay, and woodcore pipes)
outdated drawings
historical knowledge that disappears when staff retire
Contractor strikes occur when nonmetallic or undocumented utilities cannot be located.
The Impact
High cost and delays from potholing
Safety risks during excavation
Uncertainty around mixed‑material pipes
Increased likelihood of damaging unknown utilities
How Grid Keeper Helps
Grid Keeper provides a subsurface conduction‑based corridor that:
identifies buried assets through conduction signatures
detects PVC, clay, concrete, copper, and woodcore pipes
improves accuracy beyond GPR’s ±18" limitation
works at depths of 20–40 feet in mixed urban soils
Outcome
More accurate subsurface intelligence, fewer contractor strikes, and reduced reliance on potholing.
Dish Wireless — GPS‑Independent Timing for Rural Networks
The Problem
Dish faces timing and backhaul challenges in rural and remote areas:
GPS is unreliable in canyons
fiber is expensive
microwave links require line‑of‑sight
When GPS drifts, towers lose sync and drop customers.
The Impact
Coverage gaps. Dropped calls. High deployment cost.
How Grid Keeper Helps
Grid Keeper provides a GPS‑independent timing layer that:
works underground
is resilient to jamming/spoofing
stabilizes tower timing in remote terrain
Outcome
More reliable rural coverage. Lower infrastructure cost. Greater network resilience.
Pipeline Operators — Subsurface Telemetry for Remote Infrastructure
The Problem
Pipeline operators need telemetry across:
remote terrain
buried segments
geologically complex areas
RF sensors don’t work underground, forcing reliance on:
wired sensors
periodic inspections
manual data collection
The Impact
Blind spots in leak detection. Higher operational risk. Expensive inspection cycles.
How Grid Keeper Helps
Grid Keeper provides a subsurface conduction corridor that:
carries low‑rate telemetry
works through soil and rock
supports distributed sensors
reduces manual inspection cycles
Outcome
Continuous monitoring. Lower risk. Reduced OPEX.
City of Littleton — Detecting Voids Caused by Stormwater Infiltration
The Problem
Littleton experiences voids forming under roads due to stormwater infiltration. Current tools cannot reliably detect early‑stage voids, especially in mixed soils or beneath reinforced concrete.
The Impact
Road failures and safety hazards
Expensive emergency repairs
Unpredictable maintenance cycles
Limited ability to detect voids before collapse
How Grid Keeper Helps
Grid Keeper detects conduction anomalies caused by:
soil washout
moisture changes
disrupted current pathways
These signatures reveal void formation earlier than visual inspection or GPR.
Outcome
Early detection of stormwater‑related voids, enabling proactive maintenance and safer road operations.
City of Littleton — Subsurface Communication Where RF and GPS Fail
The Problem
Littleton has no reliable way to communicate underground.
RF cannot penetrate soil or concrete
GPS is unavailable below the surface
Crews rely on hardwired comms or line‑of‑sight walkie‑talkies
The Impact
Safety risks for crews in vaults, culverts, and deep corridors
Slow inspections
Limited situational awareness during underground work
How Grid Keeper Helps
Grid Keeper provides a stable subsurface signaling corridor that:
penetrates soil, rock, and buried materials
maintains low‑rate communication where RF/GPS fail
supports underground crew coordination
Outcome
Continuous underground communication, improved safety, and more efficient field operations.