Vermont Tested New Power Flow Control Technology
The project at Sandbar Station aims to reduce transformer stress and improve energy transfer between Vermont and New York.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Energy
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Beginning in mid-2025, partners launched a Department of Energy-funded project to test power flow control technology at the Sandbar Station in Vermont. This initiative seeks to increase transmission capability while mitigating mechanical stress on critical infrastructure.
Why it matters
Volatile power flows and a 2021 transformer failure necessitated new management solutions for the regional grid. The project aims to reduce transformer wear while boosting energy transfer efficiency between Vermont and New York.
The initiative involves the installation of 12 SmartValve modules to adjust transmission path characteristics. These modules provide dynamic electronic adjustments alongside existing mechanical control systems.
The players
EPRI
The Electric Power Research Institute is an independent, non-profit organization that conducts research, development, and demonstration projects for the electricity sector.
VELCO
The Vermont Electric Power Company operates the state-wide transmission system that serves as the central hub for Vermont's energy grid infrastructure.
Smart Wires
This global power technology company specializes in modular power flow control solutions designed to improve grid capacity and reliability.
Department of Energy
This United States federal agency manages energy policy, nuclear security, and the national research laboratory system.
The details
The project uses SmartValve technology to electronically regulate power flow and relieve mechanical stress on transformers. Following the failure of a Phase Shifting Transformer in 2021, the system was designed to provide a more resilient alternative to traditional mechanical management.
Timeline
A Phase Shifting Transformer failed at Sandbar Station in February 2021.
Project work officially commenced in mid-2025.
The team completed the first module Factory Acceptance Test in August 2026.
Site construction is scheduled for completion in May 2027.
Commissioning and in-service testing are set for late 2027.
The Big Picture
This project follows the pattern set by the Department of Energy's grid modernization research programs to enhance electrical infrastructure reliability. It marks a shift toward deploying modular power electronics to solve transmission bottlenecks that were previously managed only by heavy mechanical equipment.
The deployment of this technology could lead to a more stable regional power supply and reduced maintenance frequency for critical transmission assets. These improvements may eventually facilitate more reliable energy transfers between Vermont and New York, strengthening the overall grid's performance.
The takeaway
Advanced power flow controllers represent a shift toward smarter, electronically managed grids that reduce reliance on vulnerable mechanical components. Implementing these systems allows utility operators to maximize existing infrastructure capacity without the need for extensive physical construction.
What happens next
Site construction is expected to conclude in May 2027, followed by system commissioning and testing phases occurring in late 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in grid stability on the Energy section of our site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Energy Central.
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