Australian grid technology firm EcoJoule Energy has completed the first installation of its EcoVAR Static Compensator (STATCOM) in the United Kingdom.
The project, delivered in partnership with UK Power Networks (UKPN) and EcoJoule’s UK partner Fundamentals, represents the first of five EcoVAR units to be deployed across the UKPN network as part of a trial aimed at assessing the technology’s capability to manage voltage variability in the grid.
EcoJoule Energy founder and CEO Dr Mike Wishart said the installation was a key milestone in the company’s expansion into international markets, demonstrating the global relevance of its technology.
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“We’re thrilled to partner with UKPN and Fundamentals to have an EcoVAR system deployed for the first time in the UK,” he said.
“This installation is an important step in our international growth plans and reinforces EcoJoule’s position as a global innovator in voltage management and grid stability.
“The challenges facing electricity networks in the UK and Australia share a common theme—rapid electrification and the transition to cleaner energy. Our technology is helping utilities adapt to that transition cost-effectively and sustainably.”
UK Power Networks has partnered with Ecojoule Energy and Fundamentals to deliver an innovation project called LeVeR (Low Voltage Regulator). The initiative will see five EcoVAR units installed—smart, pole-mounted devices—that keep the network balanced and operating efficiently at the low-voltage level, where most homes and businesses are connected.
The technology works by managing the flow of electricity across the network’s three separate lines, known as phases. Sometimes one phase can become overloaded while others are underused.
The EcoVAR unit automatically redistributes electricity to the quieter lines, helping the network accommodate more clean energy technologies without spending customers’ money on infrastructure where it is not needed. Installed on existing poles, the device can be up and running within hours.
The first EcoVAR unit has been installed in Graveney Bridge, with data collected during the trial being used to assess how effectively the system improves network efficiency. Each unit can be monitored and updated remotely, allowing for smarter, more responsive management of electricity distribution.
The trial will also test the unit across different weather conditions, helping to ensure that as low-carbon technologies become widespread, electricity networks remain resilient, flexible and ready for the low-carbon future.
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UK Power Networks head of innovation Luca Grella said, “Being the first to install this kind of technology in the UK highlights our commitment to working with partners who share our vision for a smarter, more resilient grid. The EcoVAR trial is helping us understand how digital solutions can deliver real improvements for customers at street level.”
EcoJoule announced a major partnership with Fundamentals in 2024 that combines Fundamentals’ existing expertise in high voltage networks with EcoJoule’s low-voltage network platforms—EcoVAR and EcoSTORE.
The UK project follows installations of EcoJoule Energy’s EcoVAR in multiple states and utilities across Australia, further demonstrating the adaptability of its technology across diverse grid conditions and regulatory environments.
