Abstract: A series of sensors tags are designed to be attached to electric distribution lines and poles as well as high voltage transmission lines and towers. Each sensor tag contains an array of sensors that measure operational performance of the powerlines and supporting infrastructure and detect any anomalies in operation. The sensor tags also have wireless communication capability and communicate sensor data to a backhaul communication node. The backhaul communication node relays the sensor data, via cellular or satellite connection to a wide area network, such as the Internet. In one embodiment, performance data may be collected over a period of time and a profile established to indicate levels of normal operation and thresholds at which abnormal operation should be reported. If the sensor tag has a profile stored therein, it need only report sensor data when it exceeds some predetermined threshold defined in the profile.