Sentient Energy debuts new software and analytics, hardware

Photo via sentientenergy.com.

Sentient Energy, provider of grid solutions and services, unveiled two new devices: the UM3+ Compact, a smaller form factor submersible underground line sensor meant 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 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.”

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. 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.

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.

Sentient Energy spotlighted the UM3+ Compact underground line sensor, the VC10 dynamic VAR compensator, and analytics enhancements at DISTRIBUTECH International 2024, which took place from February 27-29, 2024, in Orlando, Florida.

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