Global controls technology company Proserv has acquired a minority stake in Glasgow based power system monitoring expert, Synaptec, with whom it had initially formed a strategic alliance in October 2020 to drive forward the innovation of disruptive condition-monitoring technologies for the energy sector.
Synaptec developed as a spin out business from Strathclyde University in 2014 with its management team, Board of Directors and Advisory Board comprising former leaders from the power sector, academic professors and energy entrepreneurs.
A technology consortium led and driven by Proserv, including Synaptec and subsea power cable engineering and consultancy specialists BPP Cable Solutions, with initial support from the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (OREC), has collaborated to innovate the pioneering holistic cable monitoring system, ECG™, for the offshore wind segment.
Proserv’s ECG utilises Synaptec’s passive electrical and mechanical instrumentation systems, integrating its unique distributed electromechanical sensors, or DES, as a key element. The potential capabilities of ECG, regarding real-time monitoring and predictive insights, saw it receive £1mn development funding from Innovate UK in 2021, alongside subsequent industrial sponsorship from ScottishPower Renewables and Equinor.
The technology has won a landmark contract on phases A and B of the vast Dogger Bank Wind Farm and it is to be demonstrated on Equinor’s floating Hywind Scotland Wind Farm later this year.
Synaptec is one of several technology disrupters and start-ups with whom Proserv has recently forged alliances, including data analytics firm Intelligent Plant in late 2020 and real-time optimisation innovators Ortomation just last month. These moves reflect Proserv’s collaborative philosophy towards innovation, as well as its strategic roadmap to pivot its business to the needs and priorities of the evolving energy transition.
This investment strengthens an already fruitful connection between Proserv and Synaptec, who will continue their work together to create and deliver instrumentation solutions to solve the many challenges faced by offshore renewables developers.
For more information visit Proserv’s website.