Groundbreaking technology increases existing power line transmission capacity by 30%
[Jan. 23, 2024: JD Shavit, The Brighter Side of News]
This collaboration between industry leaders has yielded impressive results, with power grids experiencing a remarkable 30 percent increase in transmission capacity. (CREDIT: Heimdall Power)
In a groundbreaking partnership, Heimdall Power, a trailblazer in the field of optimizing power grids, has teamed up with Meteomatics, a cutting-edge technology company specializing in weather intelligence.
This collaboration between industry leaders has yielded impressive results, with power grids experiencing a remarkable 30 percent increase in transmission capacity.
For over three years, Heimdall has seamlessly integrated its sophisticated software and sensor data with Meteomatics' extensive repository of weather and climate data. This collaborative effort has played a pivotal role in the continuous monitoring and prediction of real-time capacity on high-voltage power lines.
Weather Data Visualization on Maps With MetX. (CREDIT: Meteomatics)
The implications of this partnership are substantial. According to Heimdall Power, energy grid companies like Swissgrid, Austrian Power Grid, and Tennet are now able to harness the full potential of their existing lines, optimizing the efficiency and performance of their energy transmission infrastructure.
Meeting the Growing Demand for Electricity
As the global demand for electricity is projected to nearly double over the next three decades, energy grid operators face the daunting challenge of meeting this demand without incurring higher costs and increasing emissions.
One solution lies in incorporating more renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind. However, connecting and managing these variable energy sources necessitates expensive grid upgrades, a process that can take several years, typically ranging from seven to twelve years.
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Heimdall offers an innovative solution by maximizing the efficiency of existing power lines, obviating the need for extensive infrastructure overhauls. Currently, many power lines operate without real-time information about their conditions, resulting in a significant portion of their capacity remaining untapped.
To address this issue, Heimdall enlisted Meteomatics to provide essential weather and climate data, which significantly influences power line capacity. This data is integrated into Heimdall's technology, offering a critical tool for predicting the real-time capacity of specific power lines and establishing new, safe operating limits.
Paul Walsh, CEO of Meteomatics North America, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, "By combining our weather insights with Heimdall Power, we're offering companies a look into their real-time power line capacities – something that a majority of energy grid companies have not had access to before."
World’s first system-wide capacity monitoring project by Heimdall Power. (CREDIT: Heimdall Power)
Heimdall's approach involves installing sensors on active high-voltage power lines, continuously collecting real-time data, including temperature, current, and angle. This sensor data is then processed through Heimdall's advanced software platform, where it undergoes analysis and is integrated with Meteomatics' precise weather and climate data.
Through the seamless fusion of Meteomatics' information with power line data and machine learning, a unique algorithm is developed. According to Heimdall, this algorithm empowers grid companies to promptly and safely increase their transmission capacity.
At the control center of Arva in Tomasjord in Tromsø, Inga Setså Holmstrand and Knut Ivarsson Elverum can read the information that the “magic” balls send in real-time. (CREDIT: Heimdall Power)
Jørgen Festervoll, CEO of Heimdall Power, explained the significance of their technology, stating, "By pairing our unique software with Meteomatics' weather intelligence, we're able to provide grid operators with insights that allow them to utilize more of the available capacity in their grid."
By adopting this technology, grid companies can enhance their transmission efficiency, seamlessly integrate more renewable energy sources into the grid, establish new safe operational limits, and improve operational planning, grid management, and daily operational flexibility.
More than fifty of these sensors are placed around Northern Norway on Arva’s line network. They tell exactly how much capacity that is available in the line. (CREDIT: Heimdall Power)
A European Success Story Expands to the United States
In Europe, Heimdall and Meteomatics have achieved remarkable success, increasing the capacity of high-voltage power grids by an average of 30 percent using their innovative technology. Building on this achievement, the two companies are now extending their collaboration to the United States. Joint efforts have already commenced with Heimdall's existing U.S. clients.
While favorable regulatory models have enabled GETs to spread in Europe and Australia (Heimdall has DLR projects in 16 countries, Mork says), these technologies have faced a tougher road in the United States. Recent developments, however, suggest that GETs will be an important part of a more capable grid.
For more science and technology stories check out our New Innovations section at The Brighter Side of News.
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