Sterlite Power strikes technology agreement with U.S. based Smart Wires to bring SmartValveTM to Indian utilities

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Sterlite Power strikes technology agreement with U.S. based Smart Wires to bring SmartValveTM  to Indian utilities

  • Sterlite Power to offer Indian utilities modular power flow control solutions that make transmission grid efficient & flexible
  • Exclusive arrangement between Sterlite Power and Smart Wires to market the technology in India

New Delhi, Jan  2020:

Sterlite Power has inked an exclusive agreement with U.S. based Smart Wires to introduce a revolutionary technology to the Indian electric markets that will enable resourceful grid management. This cutting-edge technology is an intelligent ‘valve’, that will allow utilities to optimally utilise existing transmission capacity and enhance grid flexibility.

Speaking on the Technology Agreement, Pratik Agarwal, Group CEO, Sterlite Power Transmission Ltd. said “ Lack of land to build new lines, integration of renewable energy, rising Grid outages due to climate change, will be some of the biggest problems that power sector will face in the future. The only way to transcend these challenges is through the use of disruptive technology that can help capture more value from existing grid.”  

Power networks in India have been facing major transmission congestion challenges due to urbanisation and exponential growth in demand for power. Congestion is often seen in sub-transmission lines, where it is a challenge to connect renewable power. In this context, alleviating congestion and enhancing grid flexibility becomes critical.

Manish Agarwal, CEO, Solutions, Sterlite Power, said, “We are passionate proponents of disruptive technologies that can help our customers meet their energy delivery needs and address the coinciding challenges of time, space and capital. This technology will enable better power flow, grid stability and enhanced power transfer capacity in existing infrastructure, without the need for investment in new lines.”

Smart Wires CEO, Gregg Rotenberg, said, “Given the pace and scale of renewable energy growth in India, our solutions can provide immense value to the market. We are thrilled to work with Sterlite because we knew we needed a collaborator who understood the nuances of this market and who could match our passion to transform how electric grids are planned and operated.”

Smart Wires a world leader in modular power flow control, has successfully deployed this state-of-the-art technology globally, across the U.S., Europe and Australia. SmartValve increases power transfer capability by making better use of an existing network. As generation and demand changes, circuits can become unequally loaded. Some lines reach their maximum capacity while others are well below their limits. SmartValve technology can unlock this system capacity by more evenly balancing power flows and therefore provides a quicker-to-install and lower-impact alternative to building new lines. Smart Wires technology is quick to install and easy to scale or redeploy, providing valuable flexibility given today’s rapidly changing electric system. Based in California, with offices in Ireland and Australia and a global workforce, Smart Wires works with utilities around the world to address the unique challenges they face.

About Sterlite Power

Sterlite Power is a leading global developer of power transmission infrastructure with projects of over 13,315 circuit kms and 23,885 MVA in India and Brazil. With an industry-leading portfolio of power conductors, EHV cables and OPGW, Sterlite Power also offers solutions for upgrading, uprating and strengthening existing networks. The Company has set new benchmarks in the industry by use of cutting-edge technologies and innovative financing. Sterlite Power is also the sponsor of IndiGrid, India’s first power sector Infrastructure Investment Trust (“InvIT”), listed on the BSE and NSE.

Smart Wires Raises $75 Million

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This article accurately describes Smart Wires mission and purpose along with sharing some great news regarding growth equity financing. This funding will be used to provide growth capital as Smart Wires serves a rapidly expanding customer base – including multiple framework agreements and installations planned on four continents in 2020.  

Read More

LoadShare Project wins IET Innovation Awards

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LoadShare Project wins IET Innovation Awards Technology powers 45,000 homes with renewable energyLoadShare –a joint project between Smart Wires and UK Power Networks –has won the Power and Energy category, and received Highly Commended in the Sustainability and Environmental Impact category, at the prestigious Institution of Energy and Technology (IET) Awards in London.

The IET Innovation Awards recognize and celebrate the very best new innovations across science, engineering and technology, from around the world.

LoadShare uses Smart Wires’ state-of-the-art technology to increase the utilization of UK Power Networks’ existing lines –resolving a pinch point near the Essex/Suffolk border, and allowing more electricity generated from renewable sources to feed into the system –without building costly and disruptive new electrical cabling and substations.

This project has freed up 95MW of additional network capacity –enough to power 45,000 homes with renewable energy–and has saved UK Power Networks’ customers £8 million compared with traditional means of network upgrades.

SmartWires’ European Managing Director, Michael Walsh said: “Smart Wires is incredibly proud to have received recognition with UK Power Networks for this impactful project.”

“UK Power Networks was incredibly impressive to work with, and by pursuing projects like this, the company shows its commitment to its customers, the energy transition, and a greener, better future,” said Mr. Walsh.

Speaking about the importance of the LoadShare project to UK Power Networks and its future vision, the company’s Director of Asset Management, Barry Hatton said: “UK Power Networks’ vision for the future grid is to be a facilitator. We want to make sure that anyone who wants to connect low carbon technologies can do so.”

“UK Power Networks will achieve its vision through good people, good processes, good technology, and working with innovators to ensure any opportunity out there to make this happen is realized,” he said.

Mr. Walsh added: “Smart Wires’ power flow technology is a game-changer in the energy industry and is changing the way grid operators across the world think about integrating renewables. By enabling utilities to control where power flows on their networks, they can now integrate new generation more efficiently and at a lower cost and impact to consumers.The work UK Power Networks has done with LoadShare is a perfect example of the impact this technology can have.”

National Grid Electricity Transmission signs strategic deal with Smart Wires for power flow control technology to enable greater volumes of renewable power

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National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) has awarded a five-year framework agreement to power flow control technology company, Smart Wires. This will help decarbonize the UK electricity grid by enabling greater volumes of renewable power to be efficiently transferred to customers.

NGET will use modular power flow control technology to increase power transfer capability by making better use of its existing network. As the generation and demand connected to the network changes, network power flows change and circuits can become unequally loaded. Some circuits reach their maximum capacity while others are well below their limits. Installing power flow controllers allows NGET to provide the Electricity System Operator with the tools to quickly reduce the congestion that limits renewable generation, with minimal impact on communities and the environment.

NGET will proceed with five installations in 2020. These projects are anticipated to increase boundary capabilities by 1.5 gigawatts in total across three boundaries.

Smart Wires power flow control devices allow utilities to increase the efficiency and resilience of today’s infrastructure. The technology’s modular nature means it’s quick to install and easy to move, thereby providing valuable flexibility. NGET can adjust the roll-out of the technology in response to network needs as they develop.

On visiting Smart Wires Global Research and Development Center in Silicon Valley, California, David Wright, Director of Electricity Transmission and Chief Electricity Engineer at National Grid, said, “NGET is pleased to sign this agreement with Smart Wires. This is an example of our commitment to deliver clean and affordable energy for our customers.

We have already completed several innovation projects with Smart Wires and have been impressed with their technology and professionalism.

I can see a world very soon where power grids everywhere become more intelligent, digital and controllable. NGET will be a leader in this transition and it’s inevitable that technology like Smart Wires will be a big part of this future.”

In response, Gregg Rotenberg, CEO of Smart Wires said, “NGET is demonstrating true global leadership and a genuine commitment to fighting climate change.

By making full use of their existing infrastructure, NGET is embracing the transformational changes that are required to achieve wide-scale decarbonization.”

Detailed Notes

A total of five projects will be installed in 2020. These projects will contain a total of 375 MVAr of power flow control capability. These projects are anticipated to increase boundary capabilities by 1.5 gigawatts in total across three boundaries. NGET see numerous other opportunities across their network to leverage this type of technology over the course of the framework agreement timeframe.

Smart Wires technology can unlock more system capacity at a lower cost than legacy solutions. Additionally, once installed, legacy solutions cannot be moved or modified quick enough to match the pace of change affecting today’s network. They therefore sometimes can be overrated, compared to the initial requirement, or replaced if the network changes further.

Smart Wires’ modular design makes it quick to deliver and easy to scale or move. The ability to finalize projects 12 months prior to delivery provides unprecedented flexibility and means investments can be scaled up or down in response to changing system needs. This technology provides several additional advantages compared with legacy solutions including reduced substation footprint and digital control.

About National Grid

National Grid own and operate the electricity transmission network in England and Wales, with day-to-day responsibility for balancing supply and demand. National Grid also operate, but do not own, the Scottish networks. The network comprises approximately 7,200 kilometers (4,474 miles) of overhead line, 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) of underground cable and 342 substations.

National Grid own and operate the gas National Transmission System in Great Britain, with day-to-day responsibility for balancing supply and demand. The network comprises approximately 7,660 kilometers (4,760 miles) of high-pressure pipe and 618 above-ground installations.

As Great Britain’s System Operator (SO) National Grid make sure gas and electricity is transported safely and efficiently from where it is produced to where it is consumed.  From April 2019, Electricity System Operator (ESO) is a new standalone business within National Grid, legally separate from all other parts of the National Grid Group. This will provide the right environment to deliver a balanced and impartial ESO that can realize real benefits for consumers as we transition to a more decentralized, decarbonized electricity system.

About Smart Wires

Smart Wires is the world’s leader in modular power flow control. Smart Wires technology enables utilities to unlock the large amounts of spare capacity that exists on their systems today. This means they can reduce congestion to save customers money and more quickly connect new renewables and demand. Increasing the use of the existing grid is more cost-effective and less disruptive to communities and the environment than traditional solutions. Smart Wires technology is quick to install and easy to scale or redeploy, providing valuable flexibility given today’s rapidly changing electric system.

Based in California, with offices in Ireland and Australia, Smart Wires partners with utilities around the globe to address the unique challenges they face.

Technology powers 45,000 Homes with Renewable Energy

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An innovative device which has freed up 95MW of additional network capacity – enough to power 45,000 homes – has been successfully proven in the UK. The solution was developed by California-based power technology company, Smart Wires.

In just a year, UK Power Networks’ LoadShare trial has already saved customers £8 million, and enabled enough renewable power to run 45,000 homes to safely connect to a previously constrained point in the local electricity network.

LoadShare solved a critical pinch point on a power line near the Essex/Suffolk border, by allowing more electricity generated from renewable sources to feed into the system – without building costly and disruptive new electrical cabling and substations. The Smart Wires’ devices were installed on three steel overhead lines near Lawford running between large electrical substations.

This state-of-the-art technology intelligently and instantly routes power through the cables which have available capacity, maximising use of the existing network.

Head of innovation at UK Power Networks Ian Cameron said: “LoadShare is truly innovative for the UK energy industry, as we are the first network operator to deploy Smart Wires technology in the UK.

“At its heart, this is a story of optimization. It continues to forge the path towards renewable energy, while saving money for our customers. It’s the key to unlocking extra capacity in a safe, cost-effective, and fast way.

“This successful trial demonstrates our business ethos of innovation and disruption; implementing smart technologies to reach the UK’s target to reduce CO2 emissions by 80% by 2020 and Net Zero by 2050.”

With the £5.5m technology investment between Bramford and Lawford a success, UK Power Networks plans to deploy the technology in other areas to accommodate even more renewable energy generation at a reduced cost to consumers.

Smart Wires’ European managing director, Michael Walsh said: “UK Power Networks was incredibly impressive to work with, and by pursuing projects like this, the company shows its commitment to its customers, energy transition, and a greener, better future.

“Smart Wires’ power flow technology is a game-changer in the energy industry and is changing the way grid operators across the world think about integrating renewable generation. By enabling utilities to control where power flows on their networks, they can now integrate renewables more efficiently and at a lower cost and impact to consumers. The work UK Power Networks has done with LoadShare is a perfect example of the impact this technology can have.”

About UK Power Networks

UK Power Networks is the UK’s biggest electricity distributor, making sure the lights stay on for more than eight million homes and businesses across London, the South East and the East of England.

Network operators aren’t the same as energy suppliers; network operators manage local power lines and substations, while energy suppliers sell the electricity that runs through the power lines.

UK Power Networks continues to be listed in the Sunday Times’ Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For, and made industry history by becoming first company to win Utility of the Year two years running (2015 and 2016, also 2012). UK Power Networks won the 2019 EEI International Edison Award for helping to enable Britain’s low carbon transition.

The company invests more than £600 million in its electricity networks every year, offers extra help to vulnerable customers at times of need, and is undertaking trials to ensure that electricity networks support the transition to a low carbon future. It also moves cables and connects new electricity supplies.

About Smart Wires

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with offices in the United States, Ireland and Australia, Smart Wires (www.SmartWires.com) is the leader in grid optimization solutions that leverage its patented modular power flow control technology. Driven by a world-class leadership team with extensive experience delivering innovative solutions, Smart Wires partners with utilities around the globe to address the unique challenges of the rapidly evolving electric system

Smart Wires and Hunt Energy Solutions Announce Distribution Partnership in Latin America

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Smart Wires and Hunt Energy Solutions are pleased to announce their formal partnership whereby Hunt Energy Solutions will serve as Smart Wires’ exclusive distribution partner in the Latin American areas of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and Peru.

Smart Wires sees key strategic reasons to partner with Hunt Energy Solutions to accelerate commercial adoption by leveraging Hunt’s extensive connections in these Latin American markets.  Hunt Energy Solutions realizes the transformational impact that Smart Wires SmartValveTM solutions can have for electric grids all over the world.

Announcing the deal, Hunt Energy Solutions said the two companies were aligned in their entrepreneurial spirit, and desire to transform how electric grids are planned and operated.

SmartValve solutions are gaining significant global attention and heralding a new era in the energy industry. Prior to Smart Wires, the industry lacked an easily redeployable, intelligent “valve” to efficiently route power along lines with excess capacity. Smart Wires allows utilities to fully utilize the grid they have already built.

SmartValves can increase or decrease the reactance of a given circuit, resulting in power pushed off overloaded lines or pulled on to under-utilized circuits. SmartValves are also capable of providing dynamic services (e.g. power oscillation damping). These solutions enable utilities to better control their transmission networks, which means they can now integrate renewables more efficiently and at a lower cost to consumers.

Series compensation is typically added to lines to help more power flow on them, ensuring they are used to their fullest potential. The traditional means of providing series compensation is by installing a series capacitor. The SmartValve solution provides key advantages compared to traditional series capacitors including the avoidance of sub-synchronous resonance (SSR), minimized impacts to system protections and real-time granular control.

SSR is a phenomenon that occurs when the mechanical resonant frequency of a generator shaft matches the electrical resonant frequency of the line. This is a key concern in US grids and in Latin America. This can cause catastrophic failures of generator shafts resulting in significant expenses and extended outages for repair. SmartValve technology cannot cause SSR because it injects capacitance only at the fundamental power system frequency rather than across all frequencies like a conventional capacitor.

In addition to the distribution agreement, Smart Wires has also signed a master supply agreement with an affiliate of Hunt Energy Solutions to supply SmartValves for future electric transmission projects in the southwestern United States.

About Hunt Energy Solutions

Hunt Energy Solutions (HES) focuses on non-regulated electric infrastructure projects related to oil and gas exploration and production, renewable power generation, municipal assets, and smart grid applications.  HES is part of a larger privately-owned group of companies managed by the Ray L. Hunt family that engages in oil and gas exploration, refining, power, real estate, ranching, and private equity investments.

About Smart Wires

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with offices in the United States, Ireland and Australia, Smart Wires (www.SmartWires.com) is the leader in grid optimization solutions that leverage its patented modular power flow control technology. Driven by a world-class leadership team with extensive experience delivering innovative solutions, Smart Wires partners with utilities around the globe to address the unique challenges of the rapidly evolving electric system

 

 

Revolutionary power technology showcased in Dublin as part of cross-European tour

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A revolutionary mobile power flow control unit which can significantly increase the amount of renewable energy that electricity grids can accommodate, was showcased in Dublin.

Smart Wires® mobile unit leverages modular power flow control technology developed by pioneering power technology company, Smart Wires, whose European headquarters are based in Ballyfermot, Dublin.

The mobile unit, which is the size of a semi-trailer, is traveling from the USA to Greece’s Peloponnese region, where it will be deployed on the Greek Transmission System.

It heralds a new era in the use of renewable energy and the fight against climate change – allowing utilities to quickly connect renewables without needing to complete major grid reinforcements.

In Greece, this unit will allow 52 megawatts of previously constrained renewable generation to fully access the market. After several months in Greece, the unit will move to the Bulgarian transmission system in 2020, where it will be leveraged to increase cross-border transfers.

Smart Wires’ technology is gaining significant global attention in the energy industry – it enables utilities to control where power flows on their networks, which means they can now integrate renewables more efficiently and at a lower cost to consumers.

“Our power flow technology is a game changer in the energy industry,” said Smart Wires Managing Director – Europe, Michael Walsh.

“By enabling electricity companies to route power around their existing grid, it’s reducing the need for new lines, and allowing for significantly more renewable energy to enter the grid,” he said.

“Importantly, it can be delivered in months and installed in hours, allowing grid companies to respond much faster to the needs of generators, customers and communities.”

“Power flow control is not new, but Smart Wires innovative technology provides the industry with an incredibly flexible and high-impact solution, which ultimately delivers a faster, cheaper and better way to plan and operate power systems,” he said.

The installation of Smart Wires mobile power flow control on the Greek and Bulgarian transmission systems is part of a Horizon 2020 consortium called FLEXITRANSTORE. Funded by the EU Commission, FLEXITRANSTORE demonstrates a variety of smart grid technologies, control methods, energy storage and new market approaches which will introduce flexibility to the European power system, increasing renewable penetration and improving cross-border flows.

This particular mobile unit can be installed very quickly – once the site is prepared, the unit can be connected to the grid in less than one day. As it is a mobile unit, it is fully redeployable and can be reused many times within a given grid.

Utilities around the world are exploring ways to leverage this device – often for challenges like resolving seasonal congestion, extending outage windows to help complete critical construction projects or serving as a bridge-solution while a delayed long-term fix comes into service.

“The success of recent projects is starting to change the way grid operators across the world think about integrating renewable generation,” said Mr Walsh.

“We are now working with utilities across the globe, from the US to Australia and throughout Europe, to help them revolutionize their existing grid systems.”

Smart Wires Wins Innovation in Technology Award from Irish Wind Energy Association

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Peter O’Shea, ESB’s Head of Corporate & Regulatory Affairs, and Mark Foley, Chief Executive of EirGrid, congratulate Smart Wires’ Michael Walsh and Marie Hayden on their receipt of IWEA‘s Innovation in Technology award

Revolutionary power flow control system will help fight climate change

A revolutionary power flow control system which can significantly increase the amount of renewable energy that the electricity grids can accommodate, has won the Irish Wind Energy Association’s (IWEA) Innovation in Technology award.

SmartValveTM, which was developed by pioneering power technology company, Smart Wires, helps electric utilities integrate renewables more efficiently and at a lower cost to consumers by controlling where power flows on the network.

SmartValves enable operators to control the characteristics of power lines so they can push power off  overloaded lines or pull power on to under-utilised circuits.  This means they can capture the excess capacity that exists on their grids today.

“SmartValve is a game changer in the energy industry,” said Smart Wires Managing Director – Europe, Michael Walsh. “This technology allows electricity companies to route power around the existing grid, reducing the need for new lines,” he said.

“Importantly, it can be delivered and installed in weeks, allowing grid companies to respond much faster to the needs of generators, customers and communities.”

“Power flow control is not new, but Smart Wires innovative technology is providing the industry with an incredibly flexible and high-impact solution, which ultimately delivers a faster, cheaper and better way to plan and operate power systems,” he said.

Ireland’s transmission system operator, EirGrid, saw the potential for this innovative technology to help meet the future needs of the grid, and is the world’s first utility to use SmartValve.

“The success of our joint project with EirGrid is starting to change the way grid operators across the world think about integrating renewable generation,” said Mr Walsh.

“We are now working with utilities across the globe, from the US to Australia and throughout Europe, to help them revolutionise their existing grid systems.”

Speaking after the presentation, Irish Wind Energy Association CEO, Dr. David Connolly, remarked,
“In Ireland we have a proud history of leading the world in integrating high volumes of renewable energy.

“We see first-hand many of the challenges the world will face as we intensify the fight against climate change. The availability of new technology like SmartValve gives me great optimism that we will be successful,” he said.

“It tackles the current limits on our ability to use all of our existing grid capacity, and that is one of the most important challenges we face,” said Dr Connolly.