Exemplary systems and methods for monitoring a current state of a spatially extensive supply network having at least one control station that monitors and controls the supply network and a plurality of sensors that transmit measurement values relating to operating behavior to the at least one control station. Current measurement values are measured at positions on the supply network corresponding to each sensor. Each sensor analyzes measured signal variations and signal trends of the measured current values via an evaluating unit. The measurement values of each respective sensor are transmitted to the at least one control station in data packets at a defined time. At each respective sensor, when the analysis detects an abnormal measurement signal variation, a frequency of transmission of the respective sensor and each adjacent sensor is increased, the respective sensor transmitting the measurement values to the at least one control station or to adjacent sensors to which the respective sensor is connected to through a common supply line and which measure an identical or physically similar quantity.