Reactive Technologies

Reactive Technologies is a grid-enhancing technology company founded in 2010 by Marc Borrett and Heikki Vons, who brought their expertise from the telecommunications sector to the energy industry. Initially, the team explored using the power grid as a communications channel, which led to the discovery that grid stability could be measured in real-time, a previously unachievable feat. The company is headquartered in London, with an R&D center in Finland and offices in the USA, Australia, and the UAE.

The company's core offering is its GridMetrix® technology, which provides direct, real-time measurements of critical grid functions like inertia and system strength with high accuracy. This technology uses a distributed network of measurement devices and cloud-based signal processing to give grid operators unprecedented transparency, replacing traditional modeling and estimation. By sending pulses of power through the grid, similar to sonar, GridMetrix® allows operators to have an enhanced real-time view of stability, a crucial capability as the proportion of renewable energy sources grows. This data enables operators to prevent blackouts, reduce the curtailment of renewable energy, and optimize spending on balancing services.

Reactive Technologies serves transmission and distribution grid operators, electric utilities, regulators, and energy traders. By providing accurate data, the company helps these clients to better plan grid operations, fully utilize electricity supplies, and accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon energy system. For energy traders, the platform offers insights into outages and stability that impact short-term and balancing markets. The company has worked with major grid operators globally, including the UK's National Grid and Japan's TEPCO. Strategic partnerships, such as one with Siemens, integrate Reactive's technology with grid planning software to further enhance grid modeling and operational planning. The business has been backed by significant investors including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, BGF, M&G, Eaton, and Accenture Ventures, completing a £25 million Series D funding round in May 2024 to support global expansion.

Keywords: grid stability, inertia measurement, grid-enhancing technologies, system strength, renewable energy integration, power grid resilience, real-time grid data, energy transition, smart grid, demand-side management, frequency response, grid balancing, clean energy, power systems, energy technology, electricity grid, net-zero grid, synchrophasors, energy trading insights, grid analytics