Synaptec

Founded in 2014, Synaptec Ltd. is a Glasgow-based company that develops and manufactures instrumentation and sensor solutions for the electrical power industry. The company was co-founded by Dr. Philip Orr, who serves as CEO, alongside Prof. Campbell Booth and Prof. Paweł Niewczas. Synaptec originated from the University of Strathclyde and focuses on enhancing the resilience and reliability of power networks through advanced monitoring.

The company's core technology is Distributed Electrical Sensing (DES), a platform that uses passive, optical fiber-based sensors to measure parameters like voltage, current, temperature, and vibration across extensive power networks. This technology is designed to be retrofitted onto existing fiber optic infrastructure, offering a scalable and zero-maintenance method for real-time data acquisition in remote or inaccessible locations. The system provides operators with granular, synchronous data to support asset management, enable predictive maintenance, and improve grid stability.

Synaptec serves clients across power grids, renewables, and industrial sectors. Its products have been deployed in various international projects, including at the world's largest offshore wind farm. The business model centers on selling these specialized instrumentation systems, which help clients reduce operational costs and downtime by providing early warnings of potential failures. Key products include Greenlight™, a monitoring solution for high-voltage cables. The company has secured significant funding, including a Series A round of over £6.5M in February 2024, to support expansion and the development of new manufacturing facilities in Scotland.

Keywords: power system monitoring, distributed electrical sensing, optical fiber sensors, grid resilience, condition monitoring, asset management, renewable energy, instrumentation technology, passive sensors, voltage and current measurement, offshore wind, substation automation, real-time data, predictive maintenance, power network stability, clean power, energy transition, high-voltage monitoring, electrical engineering, photonic sensing