INESC TEC and GE Vernova are collaborating to foster on innovation and technology transfer for the digitalisation of power grids. This endeavour aims to develop and demonstrate the Zonal Autonomous Control (ZAC) solution, part of the GridBeats™ portfolio from Grid Automation at GE Vernova Grid Solutions. Launched in 2024, GridBeats™ explores the digitalisation and automation of power grids.
The project follows a technology transfer approach, leveraging INESC TEC’s extensive experience in power & energy systems - particularly in the development of automation, protection, and operation solutions for electricity transmission and distribution networks. The partnership allows adapting said expertise to new approaches in automatic and distributed control, towards meeting the needs of increasingly intelligent, resilient, and sustainable grids.
The main goal of this partnership is to support GE Vernova in the technical specification, development, and demonstration of new automation solutions for the power grid, contributing to their technological maturity and future commercial application in grids across different regions.
“Within the scope of this endeavour, INESC TEC will reinforce its position in the field of smart grids while promoting the economic value of research through the transfer to the industrial sector,” explained Clara Gouveia, member of the Board at INESC TEC.
In terms of impact, the solution will increase the efficiency, safety, and flexibility of power grids, considering the new challenges posed by the growing integration of renewable energy sources and storage systems. “The digitalisation enabled by GridBeats™ allows for more agile grid management, with greater responsiveness to events and variability,” clarified Clara Gouveia.
GE Vernova’s visit to INESC TEC
In this sense, INESC TEC hosted an official visit from GE Vernova to the institution’s facilities. The programme included not only institutional and technical presentations, but also discussions on topics like grid stability and flexibility, the evolution of grid codes in the Iberian Peninsula, and demonstrations of the results achieved under the ZAC project.
The visit also included a tour of INESC TEC’s Laboratory of Smart Grids and Electric Vehicles (x-Energy), where part of the joint work is taking place; the next steps in the partnership were also discussed with the INESC TEC team.
The GE Vernova delegation was led by Vera Silva, Chief Strategy & Technology Officer, Grid Solutions, and included other senior representatives from innovation and strategy areas. They were welcomed by members of the Board at INESC TEC, as well as by scientific coordinators dedicated to the power & energy area, thus reaffirming the commitment to a strategic cooperation with substantial impact in the energy sector.
This article was first published on 3 June by INESC TEC.
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