Smart Wires’ grid power-flow-control development uses Infineon technology
Grids offer more than one path for power to flow from point of generation to load. Depending on how generation and loads are distributed at any time, a given conductor might be over- or under-utilised. Smart Wires offers utilities a means of regulating power flow across the grid, optimising use of generation and avoiding overload of specific conductors. The problem becomes more challenging as the system adds more and more distributed generation capacity.
Since today’s grids are, Smart Wires says, extremely challenged, utilities demand more economic, flexible solutions for the integration of renewable energies. New lines and other upgrades are, however, often costly and sometimes infeasible. At the same time, industry experts highlight that global power grids were built without valves to control the flow of power for higher efficiency.
SmartValve is a third-generation product, considerably lighter, less costly than other solutions and offers precise control of power flows on transmission lines of nearly all of the most common voltage and current levels. Increasing or decreasing the power flowing through a transmission line, it serves as a valve, and is enabled by Infineon technology. The SmartValve can be controlled through the utility’s energy management system or programmed to respond automatically to a wide variety of grid conditions.
“With this partnership, Infineon continues to expand its strategic relationships in Silicon Valley,” said Dr. Peter Wawer, President of the Industrial Power Control division at Infineon. “Together with Smart Wires, we can provide an innovative energy-efficient solution for the electric utility space. The cooperation is a perfect example of how Infineon is leveraging its system understanding. In this regard, we will not only bring power semiconductors to this cooperation but also RF components, microcontrollers, and security solutions.”
“From the earliest days of designing this product, the goal was to create a product for an easy and inexpensive installation on nearly every transmission line in the world,” said Gregg Rotenberg, CEO of Smart Wires.
Smart Wires; www.smartwires.com
Infineon; www.infineon.com
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