Ionate has announced a collaboration with General Motors to deploy its hybrid intelligent transformer (HIT) technology at GM’s Romulus, Michigan plant, marking the deeptech firm’s entry into the US market. The Romulus facility produces 10-speed transmissions for GM’s full-size trucks and SUVs, and received a US$300 million investment to expand capacity.

HIT technology provides real-time monitoring of power quality and consumption at sub-millisecond resolution, detecting and resolving disturbances before they affect plant operations or the wider grid. The system integrates into existing substations at greater than 99% efficiency.

In average deployments, the technology enables grids to accommodate 33% more distributed energy resources, carry 25% more power without upgrading poles and wires, and reduce wasted power by 6%. Each HIT also connects to Ionate’s Aurora platform, functioning as a control node that contributes to broader grid capacity improvements.

Industrial electrification, data centre growth and AI-driven power demand are placing new strains on infrastructure not designed for today’s scale or complexity. Matthew Williams, founder and Chief Executive of Ionate, said the deployment marked a step towards bringing solid-state intelligence to industrial power networks. Luis Cervantes, executive director of manufacturing excellence at GM, said the technology would enhance the plant’s energy management and benefit the wider grid.

Source: Ionate