A Smarter Route to Wind Power Growth

Across the US and Europe, wind energy projects are booming, but the grid is struggling to keep up. With hundreds of gigawatts stuck in connection queues, transmission constraints have become one of the biggest barriers in the energy transition. In the United States, there is a project pipeline of more than 40 GW across onshore and offshore wind, yet only 3.9 GW of new onshore wind was added in 2024, the lowest in a decade, and long interconnection waits remain a drag on delivery. Early 2025 data shows land based installations improved in the first quarter, although congestion and queue delays are still slowing overall progress.

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Building new infrastructure takes years and comes at a high cost. Ampacimon’s Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) technology offers a faster and more efficient alternative. By using real-time sensor data and weather forecasts, DLR calculates the true capacity of power lines and helps unlock extra transmission capacity that would otherwise go unused. Rather than reconductoring or building new lines, DLR increases the usable capacity of existing corridors, providing a quicker and more cost effective route to connect clean generation.

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Unlike traditional static ratings, which are based on conservative seasonal averages, DLR provides a more accurate and dynamic view of each conductor’s actual performance. Ampacimon’s patented sensors measure conductor sag, temperature and vibration, and combine this data with hyper-local weather forecasts. A machine learning model then processes the information to give grid operators a clear view of what each line can safely carry, both in real time and in the hours ahead. The sensors use accelerometers to detect changes in vibration frequency and deduce sag with high precision, while the analytics model forecasts available capacity hours ahead so operators can plan safe, higher transfers with confidence. In practice, DLR often allows power lines to transport as much as 40% more power than static ratings under suitable conditions.

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A report published in June 2024, titled “Grid access challenges for wind farms in Europe” found that over 500 GW of wind capacity in countries such as France, Germany, Italy and the UK are still waiting for grid connection assessments. This backlog highlights the urgent need for solutions that can relieve pressure on the existing grid. The same report underscores the scale of ambition, with EU wind capacity targeted to rise from about 220 GW today to 425 GW by 2030 and around 1,300 GW by 2050, which further amplifies the need to unlock capacity on the network already in place.

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This approach is already delivering results. In Belgium, Ampacimon worked with utility group Elia to integrate DLR into the SCADA system. The solution delivered up to 20% more grid capacity during low-wind periods and doubled capacity when conditions were favourable. During periods below 5 metres per second, that extra 20% capacity was available about 90% of the time. It also led to a 15% reduction in curtailment and a 50% increase in hosting capacity. All of this was achieved without building new lines. DLR was also deployed on the existing 150 kV grid to accommodate offshore wind flows, with real time and forecast ratings fed directly into SCADA to safely use the headroom that static ratings leave untapped.

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Because wind power both generates electricity and cools overhead lines, it is particularly well suited to benefit from DLR. The more the wind blows, the more power is generated and the more capacity becomes available on transmission lines. With accurate data and predictive modelling, DLR ensures this additional capacity can be used safely. Equally important, DLR handles low wind periods more accurately than standard forecasting approaches, which often struggle to capture local effects at lower speeds. That means operators maintain robust safety margins while still making the most of available capacity.

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Progress on new wires remains slow, which reinforces the value of near term capacity unlocks. According to the American Clean Power Association, only 821 miles of new transmission were built across the United States in 2024.

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As more wind projects come online, DLR provides a practical way to reduce bottlenecks and keep pace with demand. It shortens grid connection delays, limits the need for new infrastructure and supports a more reliable, cost-effective transition to clean energy. By lowering congestion and curtailment, DLR helps reduce system costs for consumers while accelerating the integration of clean generation.

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The solution is already here. With DLR, operators can unlock the grid’s full potential and bring the future of wind power closer than ever!

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