The solution helps the power grid operate up to 30% more efficiently on an annual basis without the need to build new lines. As a result of Gridraven’s software solution, electricity prices become more stable, and renewable energy is integrated into the grid more quickly.
Gridraven’s idea originated from a practical need. Henri Manninen worked for years at Estonia’s power grid operator, Elering, where he dealt with power grid management daily. There, he noticed a significant problem: expanding the grid is complex and costly, which hinders the integration of new production units, especially renewable energy sources. “The power grid is so overloaded that adding anything to it quickly is challenging. While it is possible to build new renewable energy plants quickly, connecting them to the grid is either too expensive or takes a long time,” Manninen explained.
“The power grid is so overloaded that adding anything to it quickly is challenging. While it is possible to build new renewable energy plants quickly, connecting them to the grid is either too expensive or takes a long time.”
Software that pushes power lines to work harder
With his former colleague from Elering, Georg Rute, and machine learning specialist Markus Lippus, Henri Manninen set out to find a solution. This led them to the idea of dynamic transmission capacity – by taking real-time weather conditions into account, power lines could be used much more efficiently.
The transmission capacity of power lines is typically determined based on fixed rules that assume constant weather conditions. In reality, however, weather varies, and in many cases, power lines could carry more energy than they are currently allowed to.
Gridraven’s software uses machine learning and weather data to calculate, hour by hour, how much energy a specific power line can safely transmit. The solution’s most significant advantage is that it does not require physical sensors–everything operates through software.
“Our solution increases the transmission capacity of power lines by up to 30% annually on average. It does not replace the need for new power lines, but it helps make the grid more efficient faster and at a lower cost,” said Manninen.
This innovative approach impacts not only grid operators but also consumers. If more electricity can be imported or generated during peak hours, it helps stabilize electricity prices and reduce price fluctuations. “When the power grid is used more efficiently, building expensive new lines or carrying out extensive upgrades on existing infrastructure is not always necessary. Greater efficiency keeps network fees lower and helps consumers save money.”
The rapid growth of renewable energy presents significant challenges for power grids. Solar and wind energy production is intermittent and depends on weather conditions, which can lead to overloads or situations where more energy is generated than consumed. Europe is focusing heavily on renewables, but the grid is already so congested that adding new power plants quickly is difficult. “The problem is not the speed of construction but the fact that connecting to the grid is expensive and time-consuming. Our solution certainly helps alleviate this issue.”
The transmission capacity of power lines is usually determined based on specific rules that always take the same weather conditions into account. In reality, the weather is variable, and in many cases, the lines could carry more energy. Photo: Unsplash
From pilot project to global markets
Gridraven’s technology is currently being tested in several European countries and in Estonia as part of Elering’s pilot project – the software’s accuracy is being validated on a 110-kilovolt line using measuring devices. The initial results are promising and confirm that Gridraven’s software forecasts allow for an average increase of up to 30% in power line transmission capacity. “By summer, we expect to reach a phase where we have tested over a year and are convinced that our results are accurate. After that, we can offer our technology as a complete solution to Elering,” explained Manninen.
Gridraven recently raised 4 million euros to accelerate technological development and promote expansion into international markets. The primary focus is on the U.S. market. The lead investors in the funding round are the German fund 42CAP and the Finnish Icebreaker.vc, whose support will help the company focus on both expanding the team and establishing a global presence. CEO Georg Rute will move to Austin, Texas, in the fall to lead the company’s operations in the U.S. and maintain closer contact with local grid operators.
Gridraven has significant market potential in the U.S., as the country’s power grid is overloaded in many regions. The rapid growth of renewable energy and the increasing demand from technology companies and data centres drive the need for more innovative solutions. U.S. regulators have decided that air temperature must also be considered starting this summer when calculating power line transmission capacity. This creates favourable grounds for the adoption of our solution.
The company is also participating in the European Space Agency accelerator to make its technology globally scalable. One area of focus is using satellite data to provide accurate transmission capacity forecasts in countries where lidar data is not available.
“Lidar data is highly accurate and high-resolution ground measurement data, which makes it possible to account for the impact of every tree, bush, and object on wind movement near overhead lines. In Estonia, these are provided as open data by the Land and Space Agency, but outside of Europe and North America, such data is largely unavailable,” explained Manninen. He said that the European Space Agency accelerator is working on finding a method to achieve results comparable to lidar data using lower-precision satellite data in regions where lidar is not accessible.
The rapid growth of renewable energy presents significant challenges for power grids. Solar and wind energy production is variable and depends on weather conditions, which can lead to overloads and situations where more energy is produced than consumed. Europe's focus is on renewable energy, but the power grid is so full that integrating new plants quickly is difficult. Photo: Unsplash
Estonian technology as the global energy market standard
Although Gridraven’s solution has proven its efficiency, adopting new technologies in power grids takes time. The company strives to break through in the conservative and heavily regulated energy market.
Grid operators prefer well-tested solutions and must be assured of a new technology’s reliability before transitioning. “Engineers always want to measure and compare everything–and rightfully so! We must prove that our solution can operate accurately and reliably even in large power grids.”
Another crucial aspect is cybersecurity. Since Gridraven provides a software-based solution related to power grid management, the system must be well protected against cyber threats. “The power grid is already highly digitalized, and our solution adds another layer that must be just as secure as the existing systems. The necessary security controls are already in place within the grid,” Manninen assured.
In addition to technical challenges, deep-tech startups must face the fact that investors often expect quick results. “To investors, energy technology may seem complex and have a long development cycle. However, once solutions prove themselves, their impact is significant and long-lasting,” Manninen noted.
