RTE completes successfully the first stage of Smart Wires Modules Installation

PARIS, April 26, 2017 -- Last week the French transmission company RTE successfully completed its first installation of Smart Wires PowerLine Guardian modules on a 63 kV overhead line located in the South West of France.  The full deployment of this distributed power flow controller will allow a more flexible operational control leading to an improved quality of electricity for the customers of the area. The installation of the first stage (6 modules) took one day, during which RTE’s line men learned how to deal with these new devices. 

RTE installs Smart Wires Guardian Technology RTE installs Smart Wires Guardian Technology

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

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This application highlights RTE’s leadership in utilising new innovative technology and its ability to quickly focus resources on a dedicated project.  After a period of users’ feedback, RTE will investigate completing the installation with a few tens of modules (up to 1W) on this same overhead line as the full and operational solution.

Christian POUMAREDE, R&D project leader at RTE said “We were delighted to partner with Smart Wires on this project. Their level of customer service and innovation were very professional and accurate.”

Smart Wires’ Managing Director for Europe, Michael Walsh said, “We are very proud to have completed our first project in mainland Europe with RTE. Their level of insight and openness to change and innovation was amazing. All around the world the generation and consumption of energy is changing. It is becoming increasingly difficult for network companies to respond to these needs with conventional technology. At Smart Wires, we are dedicated to providing new solutions that can be quickly deployed and tailored to efficiently match changes in the power system as they emerge.”

Background on RTE

RTE is the French high and extra high voltage electricity transmission system operator. The network operated by RTE is the biggest one in Europe with 105.448 km of electric lines (100.000 km of overhead lines and 5.000 km of underground cables) and 50 cross-border lines. RTE satisfies its customers' (producers, industrial consumers and traders) needs guaranteeing a quality service at the best cost and without any discrimination. RTE takes part in the smartgrids projects with a view to preparing the future power system. 8500 men and women are our company’s driving force.

Background on Smart Wires
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with offices in the U.S., the U.K., Ireland and Australia, Smart Wires is the global leader in grid optimization solutions that leverage its patented modular power flow control technology. Smart Wires’ technology was developed by utilities for utilities; Southern Company and TVA led a consortium of large U.S. utilities at the National Electric Energy Testing Research and Applications Center (NEETRAC). Driven by a world-class leadership team with extensive experience delivering innovative solutions, Smart Wires partners with utilities around the globe to address the unique challenges of the rapidly evolving electric system.

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