The ultimate solution for modern electricity grids

Project Information

PowerGRAB

Grant agreement ID: 968825

DOI

10.3030/968825

Project closed

EC signature date 15 March 2021

Start date 1 April 2021

End date 31 March 2023

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 2 968 870,00

EU contribution

€ 2 061 603,25

Coordinated by

LAKI POWER EHF
Iceland

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - PowerGRAB (The ultimate solution for modern electricity grids)

Reporting period: 2022-04-01 to 2023-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Laki Power’s mission is to provide power grid operators with world-class solutions for monitoring, analyzing and optimizing their grid infrastructure.
Despite the abundance of electric energy in overhead power lines, the high-voltage levels prevent grid operators from tapping directly into the lines to access suitable power for valuable monitoring equipment.
Instead, these systems have relied on diesel generators, wind turbines, solar panels or other sources of external power to energize sensors and monitoring equipment, resulting in very high costs of installing, maintaining, and resupplying these systems, as well as a host of other environmental, operational, logistical and maintenance issues.
The patented PowerGRAB is an electromagnetic energy harvesting technology which uses a unique “cold” power regulation technique to capture high-voltage powerline current as a usable low-voltage DC output with 100x greater efficiency than other on-market solutions, enabling an unprecedented range of power intensive peripheral systems. This allows Laki Power to install monitoring stations directly on power lines and generate power using otherwise wasted energy.
The power grid is the critical infrastructure that spans tens of millions of kms around the globe supplying homes and businesses with power. Optimizing the carrying capacity of these infrastructures and increasing their resiliency in the face of extreme weather conditions is an extremely important world-wide objective being electricity the preferred substitute for fossil fuels.
The PowerGrab monitoring stations are installed on power lines and collect a wide range of real-time data for monitoring and predicting critical factors for the efficient and effective transmission of electricity. The stations and their software collect data to address problems that can endanger a reliable flow of power such as: ice build-up, wildfire events, lack of power line transmission capacity, due to excessive power line sag, vibration and galloping and pollution on power line structures in the form of dust, salinity and other conductive particles.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Main accomplishments and outcomes during the project period are underscored by the following milestones.
Milestone 1: Implementation of Pilot Programs with a minimum of 5 TSOs
5 pilot projects have been successfully started with Landsnet in Iceland, Statnett in Norway, TEIAS in Turkey, IPTO in Greece, and Manitoba Hydro in Canada. Although the pilot programs started later than anticipated, each proved successful, offering invaluable user feedback and insights for improvement. These pilot programs supplied crucial feedback, which can be used as case studies to attract potential customers and demonstrate the credibility and reliability of our solutions. Moreover, the pilot programs enabled us to evaluate our solutions across various climates and conditions, each presenting unique requirements.
Milestone 2: System Optimization
The pilot programs not only served as valuable demonstrations of our solutions but also proved crucial in assessing the hardware's reliability in diverse conditions. By exposing our hardware to harsh environments, such as the hot and humid climate in Greece and the freezing conditions atop Alvik mountain in Norway, we identified key areas for optimization. For instance, we re-engineered our cooling system for hot climates and enhanced our de-icing system for colder environments. With these optimizations and redesigns, we gained a competitive edge by incorporating new features and capabilities, such as monitoring line current, increased processing power for on-board AI-powered icing detection, and a modular design that facilitates addressing supply shortages of critical components.
Milestone 3: Participation in 5 Conferences
By attending 5 industry conferences, and other networking events, we raised awareness of our solutions among peers, potential customers, and experts. Additionally, we established connections with potential partners, clients, and collaborators. Engaging in face-to-face communication with our target audience provided valuable insights into their needs and concerns. Furthermore, we remained current with the latest trends and advancements in our field.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Laki Power's innovative monitoring system for overhead power lines represents a significant advancement beyond the current state of the art in power line monitoring technology. By utilizing induction to extract power directly from the electromagnetic field of the power line, the system eliminates the need for diesel or solar panels, which are traditionally used to power monitoring equipment in remote areas. This novel approach not only reduces the system's environmental footprint but also enhances its reliability and reduces maintenance costs.
The pilot programs in Norway, Canada, Greece, Turkey, and Iceland have demonstrated the system's capability to detect critical events, such as icing and galloping on the wires. This real-time monitoring allow operators to plan the installation of new lines more effectively and schedule de-icing operations to minimize the risk of power outages and infrastructure damage.
The expected potential impact of Laki Power's monitoring system spans across several dimensions:
Enhanced grid reliability: The early detection of critical events and rapid response to potential issues significantly improves the reliability of the power grid, reducing the likelihood of outages and service disruptions. This increased reliability benefits both utility companies and their customers.
Cost savings for utility operators: The ability to monitor power lines in real-time enables operators to make more informed decisions on maintenance and infrastructure investments. This ultimately results in cost savings by reducing unnecessary expenditures and optimizing resource allocation.
Environmental benefits: The induction-based power generation method reduces the reliance on diesel fuel and solar panels, minimizing the system's environmental impact. Additionally, improved grid reliability decreases the need for backup power generation, often supplied by fossil fuel-based generators, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Socio-economic impact: The benefits of a more reliable power grid extend to the broader society, including businesses, healthcare facilities, and households, which all depend on a stable supply of electricity. This increased reliability contributes to a stronger economy and an improved quality of life for citizens.
Wider societal implications: The success of Laki Power's monitoring system can encourage the adoption of innovative technologies in the energy sector, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and technological advancement. This will foster a more sustainable and resilient energy future.
Summarizing, Laki Power's induction-based monitoring system for overhead power lines represents a significant leap beyond the state of the art, with the potential to make a broad and lasting impact on grid reliability, environmental sustainability, and overall socio-economic well-being.

LKX-201 monitoring station during installation on Ålvik mountain in collaboration with Statnett

Image from the monitoring station on Ålvik mountain