High-resolution, Acquisition, Waveform, Kontinuous and Synchronous Big-data Instrument (HAWKSBI) device development for improving renewable energy and power grid efficiency

**The problem and idea.** Existing power grid monitoring technologies are unable to provide the precision and timeliness required to effectively manage and support increased adoption of renewable energy.

Solar generation can cause numerous unwanted grid effects including voltage fluctuations and low-fault currents, whilst wind generation can cause oscillation and voltage issues for the broader electricity grid. Additionally, next-generation heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems and electric-vehicle charging, introduce electrical load demands which differ considerably from those that legacy controls were designed to manage.

With legacy systems, energy producers and grid operators are resigned to act after the fact, unable to respond to grid fluctuations in time or to predict pending inverter, transformer, switchgear, and cabling failures.

**Neuville Grid Data's vision** is to enable the real-time monitoring of electrical conditions without any loss of underlying fundamental measurement data, better **enabling renewable energy production to be optimised, disruptions minimised, and equipment life extended.**

Neuville is proposing the **development of a high-resolution, acquisition, waveform, kontinuous and synchronous big-data instrument (HAWKSBI), named in honour of Sir Isaac Newton's lab assistant, Francis Hauksbee).** Key objectives include capabilities to:

* continuously measure and record voltage and amperage point-on-waveforms at very high-resolution (perhaps 60,000 times per second) with sub-10 nanosecond synchronised time-stamps,
* communicate critical data to energy producers and grid operators in real-time, and
* generate rich datasets which enables application of data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to the challenges of a renewable-powered grid.

**The project's main focus is technology hardware development**. A HAWKSBI device will utilise technologies such as high-resolution sensors, robust digital signal processing, big data and elastic cloud storage, and Internet of Things which have been pioneered across other industries.

The key areas of focus for this project are hardware development and demonstration of the HAWKSBI including lab-bench testing; component prototyping; associated engineering design reviews; prototype production and testing; and initial field testing in partnership with our existing clients.

While core analogue-to-digital technology is proven, **application to the electrical power sector is innovative** and requires additional development to meet the criticality of the mission. **HAWKSBI technology addresses industry's 'pull' for next-generation observability capabilities** in system, wide area, and power quality monitoring while applying technologies and lessons from the digital industry.