UK-based IONATE, developing innovative transformers for smart grids, announced on February 5th raising Series A funding led by AlbionVC, with participation from In-Q-Tel (IQT), Santander InnoEnergy Climate Fund, and Antares Ventures. From Japan, JGC Mirai Innovation Fund, operated by JGC and Global Brain, participated.
IONATE’s Hybrid Intelligent Transformer (HIT) was developed as a smart alternative to conventional transformers. It integrates high-precision data and accurate power control, with capabilities to detect, analyze, and resolve power irregularities in real-time. Notably, it can simultaneously control three critical power characteristics: independent phase voltage control, harmonic and transient removal, and power factor correction.
The company’s technology visualizes power system control nodes in real-time, transforming power systems one substation at a time. The HIT network, controlled by IONATE’s Aurora platform, achieves efficiency and significant capacity improvement, realizing true smart grids through AI control.
Specific use cases are advancing in three areas: power grids, wind power, and solar power/energy storage.
For power grids, it provides necessary control, visibility, and flexibility to balance networks against power flow imbalances caused by increasing renewable energy and unpredictable loads. This enables increased grid capacity, improved grid reliability, and reduced outages.
In wind power, replacing turbine and substation transformers eliminates the need for expensive additional technology for variable output, reducing costs and complexity. In solar power and energy storage, it handles asynchronous, intermittent unstable power, improving project economics.
According to the company, grids implementing IONATE’s technology can on average handle 33% more distributed energy resources (solar, EVs, heat pumps, etc.) and increase transmission capacity by 25% without upgrading poles or wiring. It can also reduce power waste by 6%.
Initial implementation is with energy giant EDP in Portugal and Spain, with further expansion planned for 2025. Simultaneously, as a NATO DIANA innovator, they’re advancing service expansion particularly to industrial sectors like data centers. The newly raised funds will be used for growth in key markets, U.S. business launch, and technology enhancement to pioneer a new smart grid era.
SOURCE: TheBridge
