Oktogrid unveils breakthrough solution to transform European grids

Oktogrid, a leading European technology firm specialising in advanced grid management solutions, is ready to unveil a trailblazing new hardware solution to digitise transformers across the European continent at mass scale.

Following an extensive three-year validation and field testing period, the company is now rolling out its scalable digital interface that can be effortlessly installed on any transformer within just 10 minutes, ready for rapid deployment across distribution grids and the industries.

The surge in global electrification has highlighted the vulnerabilities of ageing electricity infrastructure. The lack of connectivity and data-driven insights related to transformers has hindered accurate grid forecasting, bringing about the need for a comprehensive upgrade to the existing electrical grid.

Traditional approaches, combined with a shortage of skilled labour, have accelerated the challenges posed by rising electricity demand and the simultaneous need to transition to renewable energy sources.

Oktogrid’s solution is addressing exactly this. The new technology empowers electricity providers with unprecedented access to vital asset data, paving the way for a smarter, interconnected grid that can achieve a sustainable energy future and meeting the ambitious net-zero emissions target by 2050.

Oktogrid’s CEO, Golam Sadeghnia, emphasises the industry’s increasing embrace of digitalisation and optimisation: “To effectively navigate the complexities of the grid, we need data-driven organisations. Our focus is to provide utilities with easy access to critical data on their assets, enabling relevant stakeholders to make data-driven decisions for a new energy scenario.”

At the core of Oktogrid’s technology is its capacity to integrate a digital interface onto transformers, effectively turning them into online assets. This non-intrusive approach provides real-time access to essential transformer and grid performance data, and is designed to be as easy to install as possible. Utilities can now monitor, predict and promptly address local congestion, all while optimising maintenance costs. The system monitors acoustic, vibrational and electromagnetic signals, facilitating meticulous tracking of condition changes, anomalies and asset performance in unparalleled detail.

The solution gives efficient access to over 219,730 transformer-specific data points at each measurement sample, neatly assembled in time-synchronised data packages and condensed down to application-near insights, enabling electricity providers to build data-driven organisations.

Sadeghnia further elaborates that the real-time data harnessed by utilities, including Distribution System Operators (DSOs), empowers them to make strategic decisions within the evolving energy landscape. These data-driven choices not only enhance operational efficiency but also contribute to a more robust, sustainable and resilient energy ecosystem.

Industry experts have already recognised the potential of Oktogrid’s pioneering hardware solution.

Alberto Carini, Global Product Manager Advanced Services at ABB, says: “Power reliability is paramount in today’s electricity landscape, given the substantial impact that unforeseen transformer outages can impose on industry productivity. Looking ahead, monitoring of existing electrical assets through non-invasive methods will be essential in ensuring uninterrupted operations. Here, Oktogrid’s pioneering solution comes to the fore, providing a comprehensive method to monitor the well-being and operational capacity of transformers.”

Complementing the hardware innovation is an integrated data platform and forecasting system. This platform offers precise data points and insights, enabling early failure detection and forecasts of potential overload scenarios. Utilities can leverage these insights to optimise grid performance, ultimately leading to a more resilient and efficient energy network.

With its revolutionary hardware solution and data-driven approach, Oktogrid is contributing to a transformation of the energy sector’s operations, ultimately working to achieve a world of net-zero emissions.

About Oktogrid

Oktogrid digitalises transformers and brings them online and connected for a safer energy transition. Oktogrid’s technology gives non-invasive access to critical transformer and grid performance data, thereby enabling electricity transmission and distribution companies to make new decisions in a new energy scenario for a cleaner future.

If you would like to learn more about the future of digital asset maintenance, the green transition of the grid, and Oktogrid’s groundbreaking technology, sign up for Oktogrid’s webinar on September 28, 2023 here.