Grid capacity surges 30% with real

Optimizing power grids

As the world's need for electricity is expected to almost double in the next 30 years, companies managing energy grids are looking for ways to meet this demand without increasing costs and emissions.

One solution is to use more renewable energy like solar and wind. However, connecting and managing these variable energy sources requires expensive upgrades to the grid, which can take many years to complete (usually seven to 12 years).

Heimdall provides a solution by maximizing the efficiency of existing power lines. Instead of building new infrastructure, companies can use their current grid more effectively. Currently, many power lines operate without real-time information about their conditions, meaning a significant part of their capacity is unused. 

To provide the information they need to predict the actual capacity of specific power lines in real-time and establish new, safe limits for operating them, the company enlisted Meteomatics to supply weather and climate data, a crucial factor that strongly influences the capacity of power lines, to integrate into its technology. 

"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," said Paul Walsh, CEO of Meteomatics North America, in a statement. 

Custom algorithm

Heimdall installs sensors on active, high-voltage power lines to continuously measure real-time data such as the line's temperature, current, and angle. The collected sensor data is then processed through Heimdall's software platform, where it undergoes analysis and is integrated with Meteomatics' precise weather and climate data.

Through the seamless integration of Meteomatics' information with power line data and machine learning, the firm can develop an exclusive algorithm. According to the firm, this algorithm enables grid companies to promptly and safely increase their transmission capacity. 

Heimdall claims that addressing the escalating demand for grid capacity extends beyond constructing new power lines. Grid companies must also optimize existing power grid infrastructure for a more efficient solution.

"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," said Jørgen Festervoll, CEO of Heimdall Power, in a statement. 

By using the technology, grid companies can enhance their transmission efficiency and seamlessly integrate more renewable energy into the existing grid by gaining real-time insights into the capacity of their power lines.

It not only enables the establishment of new safe operational limits but also enhances operational planning, grid planning, and daily operational flexibility. 

In Europe, Heimdall and Meteomatics have successfully increased the capacity of high-voltage power grids by an average of 30 percent using the new technology. Building on this success, the two companies are now extending their collaboration to the United States and have already commenced joint efforts with Heimdall's existing U.S. clients.