The 2024, ABB, a Swiss-Swedish engineering multinational with $32 billion in annualized revenues, invited Acelerex and hundreds of other leading-edge grid control software start-ups to its annual start-up challenge. Acelerex, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts with offices in Chile, Turkey, and India was in the process of developing and commercializing its REX platform which supported grid analytics, design, development and controls to enable the transition to renewable energy.
Acelerex reviewed the ABB start up application requirements and decided to file for an innovation in the Electrification Distribution Solutions Category which would be supported by REX. The company chose Adaptive Settings and Network State Estimation for Grid Edge Management.
In the dynamic landscape of modern power grids, the rise of renewable energy sources and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure are presenting both opportunities and challenges in distribution systems. To effectively manage these evolving networks, it is imperative to monitor, anticipate, and swiftly resolve issues stemming from faults and violations of voltage and power flow limits. Leveraging cutting-edge forecasting, optimization technologies, and the power of AI and Deep Learning, while tapping into diverse sources of existing data, is crucial for sustainable and efficient grid operation. However, this must be achieved without the burden of installing additional proprietary recording devices
Acelerex’s proposed solution provided functionalities, often regarded as external modules of Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS), addressing critical aspects such as voltage and load variability, fault detection and localization, integration of renewable resources (DERs), and optimization of grid operations by:
- enabling real-time adjustments to voltage levels and load configurations;
- facilitating rapid fault detection and precise location, minimize outage durations,;
- managing intermittent nature or renewable generation by dynamically adjusting network parameters;
- adapting dynamically protection settings, to ensure operational settings aligned with real-time conditions;
- adjusting settings to accommodate bidirectional power flows, enabling decision-making and proactive
responses to network events.
Despite the short lead time, Acelerex met the deadline and submitted the materials, and was delighted to be chosen to pitch its solution.
The pitch was well received by a group of experienced ABB senior executives who provided useful feedback and encouragement.
As a result of the pitch, acelerex made it through to the next round which involved a second pitch and more opportunity for learning.
As a result, Acelerex was chosen as one of five companies globally to present its solution in Nice France in April 2024. The solution was very well received. CEO Randell Johnson commented, “It was an excellent learning experience for us, and brought our team together to create a great solution in double quick time. We already have clients in the USA asking us to deliver it.”