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Jabil > Case Studies > Smart Wires and Jabil: Revolutionizing the Electrical Grid for a Greener Future
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Smart Wires and Jabil: Revolutionizing the Electrical Grid for a Greener Future

 Smart Wires and Jabil: Revolutionizing the Electrical Grid for a Greener Future - IoT ONE Case Study
Technology Category
  • Functional Applications - Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
  • Sensors - Utility Meters
Applicable Industries
  • Electrical Grids
  • Utilities
Applicable Functions
  • Logistics & Transportation
  • Product Research & Development
Use Cases
  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Manufacturing Process Simulation
Services
  • Hardware Design & Engineering Services
  • Testing & Certification
The Challenge
Smart Wires, a Silicon Valley-based developer of grid-optimized solutions, faced several challenges in its mission to transform how power grids are operated worldwide. The energy market was grappling with an aging, inefficient electrical grid prone to bottlenecks, and a growing demand for renewable energy sources. This situation was further complicated by the need to deliver products affordably amidst cost pressures. Smart Wires also needed a strong supply chain partner with a global reach to compete with large, multinational competitors. Their highly complex products required manufacturing collaboration and processes to expedite innovation while meeting rigorous safety and reliability requirements.
The Customer

Smart Wires

About The Customer
Smart Wires is a Silicon Valley-based developer of grid-optimized solutions. The company is committed to transforming how power grids around the world are planned and operated. Their patented modular and scalable solutions are used by utilities across North America, Europe, Australia, and Latin America. These solutions enable utilities to pinpoint power demand and move energy sources where needed for efficient balance of power delivery from the transmission grid. Smart Wires' engineering prowess has brought major innovations to the market, including a 'transformerless' technology called SmartValve, which enables real-time control of power flow.
The Solution
Smart Wires partnered with Jabil, a manufacturing solutions provider with deep engineering expertise and a global supply chain. Jabil's global supply chain reach created new sourcing avenues for custom electromechanical components, reducing cost and market risk. Jabil's proven design and manufacturing excellence enabled Smart Wires to compete on a global scale while expediting the delivery of highly reliable, quality products. The two companies also collaborated on-site with engineering and R&D teams, leading to better products and faster innovation. Smart Wires' products, which include a 'transformerless' technology called SmartValve, enable real-time control of power flow, allowing utilities to eliminate bottlenecks and redistribute power across underutilized lines.
Operational Impact
  • The partnership between Smart Wires and Jabil has resulted in significant operational benefits. The collaboration has led to the development of better products and faster innovation. The use of smart torque drivers to control hundreds of fasteners on each Smart Wires product is an example of manufacturing and innovation alignment. The partnership has also allowed Smart Wires to compete on equal footing with large, established companies, thanks to Jabil's global manufacturing footprint. Furthermore, the partnership has helped Smart Wires improve product design, manufacturing processes, and supply chain capabilities, increasing production volumes and reducing order backlogs. The collaboration has also led to the development of new product designs and phased rollouts, propelling the development of a greener future.
Quantitative Benefit
  • Multiple products were deployed quickly and safely, with each iteration reducing product cost while improving manufacturability.
  • Smart Wires' agility to manage manufacturing capacity surges led to global recognition as one of the three most important transmission grid innovations of the decade, according to the World Economic Forum.
  • Smart Wires manufactured more products in the first three months of 2020 than in the history of the company, thanks to the partnership with Jabil.

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