Smart Wires

Smart Wires is a Durham, NC-based energy technology company specializing in modular, plug-and-play power flow control devices for existing electricity transmission infrastructure. Their core innovation allows grid operators to dynamically manage and redirect power flows across transmission lines without the need for costly new infrastructure builds. By attaching modular hardware directly to existing transmission lines, Smart Wires enables utilities to unlock latent capacity in the grid, reduce congestion, and improve overall reliability - all at a fraction of the cost and time required for traditional transmission expansion.

The company's technology is particularly significant given the mounting pressure on the US transmission grid from the rapid integration of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Power flow imbalances and congestion are among the primary barriers to clean energy interconnection, and Smart Wires' devices directly address these bottlenecks. Their approach - retrofitting existing infrastructure rather than building new - makes grid upgrades faster, cheaper, and less disruptive, which is critical as the US seeks to modernize its aging transmission system to meet decarbonization goals.

Smart Wires operates at the intersection of equipment manufacturing and grid software, offering both the physical power flow control hardware and the analytics and control systems needed to optimize its deployment. Their vision is to enable dynamic, flexible transmission grids that are clean, reliable, affordable, and safe. As transmission constraints become one of the defining challenges of the US energy transition, Smart Wires' modular solutions represent a compelling alternative to multi-billion-dollar transmission line projects, positioning the company as an important player in the future of the US energy supply chain.