Sentient Energy unveils new underground line sensor to improve grid visibility
(UI) – Sentient Energy unveiled two new devices: the UM3+ Compact, a smaller form factor submersible underground line sensor to improve grid visibility in manholes and below-grade vaults, and the VC10, a dynamic Volt-Amps Reactive (VAR) compensator designed to help utilities improve distributed energy resource (DER) hosting on their distribution systems.
Along with these new devices, Sentient Energy also announced enhanced analytics to measure harmonics along feeders, improve outage predictions, locate faults faster and identify abnormal fault events and patterns.
The UM3+ Compact sensor joins the family of overhead and underground line sensors which integrate with the Ample™ Analytics Platform to deliver grid visibility and insights for data-driven decision-making and predictive outcomes. UM3+ Compact is 50% smaller and 60% lighter than the UM3+ Standard, and it is submersible, so grid operators can deploy this sensor in enclosures as small as junction boxes as well as in below-grade vaults and manholes.
Like the UM3+ Standard, the UM3+ Compact delivers fault detection and load current data from locations along underground feeders. The UM3+ Compact includes built-in GPS and cellular communications, and its data can be integrated with SCADA, OMS and DMS systems through the Ample™ Analytics Platform. This allows grid operators to find underground faults more quickly and identify overloaded feeder segments.
The VC10, the first VAR compensator supported by Ample™ Analytics Platform, automatically monitors voltage and injects reactive power at the distribution transformer to raise low voltage points and reduce fluctuations. By improving voltage profiles, the VC10 can help utilities host more DERs and increase energy savings from conservation voltage reduction (CVR) programs.
“The new analytics, software and devices we’re bringing to market help utilities make quantum leaps in reliability, resiliency and efficiency,” said Bob Karschnia CEO and president of Sentient Energy. “Fault locating in manholes and below-grade vaults can be very time consuming but the new submersible UM3+ Compact offers utilities a breakthrough solution to work smarter. And the VC10 Dynamic VAR compensator helps utilities host more DERs and improve grid edge power quality while saving energy.”
Sentient Energy provides distribution grid solutions and services to enable data-driven decisions that enhance the delivery of safe, reliable, and efficient power.
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