Powerside and G&W Electric, manufacturers of grid technology solutions, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to provide innovative power-quality solutions for greater visibility into the rapidly changing power grid.
The two companies are collaborating on complex projects to help utility customers advance grid stability and performance. They most recently developed a monitoring solution for a distribution system heavy in distributed energy resources (DERs), including utility-scale battery energy storage, solar, and wind generation. The solution combines G&W Electric metering-class current-voltage sensors with a PQube 3 power analyzer and microPMU system from Powerside. This system enables the utility to monitor the impact of DERs on its grid with dynamic power-quality measurement and real-time synchrophasor data at multiple locations in the grid.
The two strategic partners also intend to integrate Powerside power-quality monitors within G&W Electric switchgear. This product pairing will create a versatile, dual-purpose solution for switching and power-quality applications into one package.
Synergies exist among the companies’ extensive product offerings. G&W Electric offers a robust suite of sensing equipment and overhead/underground switchgear. G&W Electric's sensors are metering-class capacitive voltage dividers and Rogowski coil current sensors with a wide dynamic range and high-frequency measurement. Powerside's flagship product is the PQube 3 power quality analyzer, a small yet rugged power-quality monitor with triggered event reporting, conducted emissions measurement (2-150kHz), and remote monitoring and recording capabilities. Powerside's microPMU synchrophasor enables real-time, precise phasor measurements designed for DER-impacted distribution grids.
"This agreement between Powerside and G&W Electric is a great opportunity to quickly provide complete grid technology solutions to customers,” said Spiros Georgiadis, Powerside vice president of global sales. “In this era of a rapidly changing grid, customers need accurate sensing and power-quality monitoring for their projects, and they need them now."
John Gounaris, G&W Electric vice president of marketing, states: "G&W Electric and Powerside are natural partners in providing a best-in-class solution for utility customers needing more visibility and control over their distribution grids. More and more distributed generation is added every day, and utilities will need solutions to monitor the impacts these resources will have and quickly react to any issues."
