GridBridge
GridBridge, an ERMCO subsidiary, builds power electronics hardware (UPFCs, Grid Energy Routers, SiC/GaN-based transformers) and GridEdge software to help electric utilities manage distributed energy resources, voltage, and EV charging at the distribution grid edge.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersRaleigh, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What GridBridge does
GridBridge, founded in 2012 as an NC State spin-out and now operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of ERMCO following the 2017 acquisition, develops power electronics hardware for electric utility distribution grids. Its core technology centers on Unified Power Flow Controllers (UPFCs), Grid Energy Routers, and a family of power-electronics-based single-phase (1PH 50kVA pole-top/padmount/integrated) and three-phase (3PH 150kVA padmount, 3PH 500KVA LV substation) transformers built on silicon, silicon carbide (SiC), and gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor devices. The most recent product, the LV Engine platform, delivers dynamically adjustable voltage management, power factor correction, phase balancing, and simultaneous DC power delivery for electric vehicle charging at the low-voltage substation.
The company pairs this hardware with GridEdge, a proprietary software and data layer that captures distribution-grid variables at meaningful sampling rates and presents operator-friendly interfaces, creating 'actionable intelligence' from secondary distribution feeders. GridBridge's go-to-market is direct enterprise/field sales to electric utilities, with engineering-led engagement to specify, procure, and deploy custom industrial equipment. Pricing is project-negotiated; revenue is generated from hardware sales (UPFCs and power-electronics transformers) with a software/data overlay that functions as an emerging recurring layer.
GridBridge serves investor-owned utilities, cooperatives, and international operators such as SP Energy Networks (UK), where the LV Engine is being deployed at Wrexham and Falkirk to support UK Net Zero ambitions. The company leverages ERMCO's fifty-year electrical apparatus manufacturing heritage and the Dyersburg, TN manufacturing facility, while its Raleigh, NC Advanced Technology Center houses R&D, with reported design cycles well below industry standard. The firm has been recognized as the 2023 IET Power and Energy Award winner and a 2023 Utility Week Innovation Award finalist, and was featured at COP26. Revenue, headcount, and customer counts beyond SP Energy Networks are not publicly disclosed, indicating a small, specialized organization that generates project-based revenue rather than high-volume or recurring SaaS economics.
GridBridge firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GridBridge
- Legal name
- GridBridge
- Website
- https://grid-bridge.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- GridBridge, an ERMCO subsidiary, builds power electronics hardware (UPFCs, Grid Energy Routers, SiC/GaN-based transformers) and GridEdge software to help electric utilities manage distributed energy resources, voltage, and EV charging at the distribution grid edge.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GridBridge industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Power Electronics for Electric Utilities
- NAICS
- Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112), Electric Bulk Power Transmission and Control (221121), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)
- SIC
- Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Power, Distribution & Specialty Transformers (3612)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Grid-Scale Power Conversion & Interconnection (PCS, Grid-Tie Inverters, Converter Stations) (IMAGAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Microgrid & Distributed Grid Equipment (Controllers, Switchgear Packages, DER Interconnection) (IMAGAAAJ), Charging Infrastructure Components (connectors, cables, dispensers, payment/controls) (IMAGAHAH), Power Electronics for Renewable & Grid-Tied Applications (Solar inverters, wind converters, grid-tie interfaces) (IMAGADAJ), EV Charging Grid Integration Services (Utility Make-Ready, Load Management Integration) (EUAEANAJ)
Keywords
Where GridBridge is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Raleigh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
GridBridge business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hardware product sales: Sale of power electronics hardware including Unified Power Flow Controllers (LV Substation UPFC - 3PH 500KVA), single-phase 50kVA transformers (pole-top, padmount, integrated), and 3-phase 150kVA padmount transformers. Revenue is generated from equipment sales to electric utilities.
- Software and data services: Coupling hardware with software to provide utilities with data-driven services and actionable intelligence for grid management, potentially as ongoing service or software-enabled revenue.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
GridBridge product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GridBridge designs, manufactures, and sells power electronics-based hardware and accompanying software for electric utility distribution grids. Its portfolio centers on Unified Power Flow Controllers (UPFCs), Grid Energy Routers, and single- and three-phase power electronics transformers that provide voltage management, power factor correction, phase balancing, distributed energy resource (DER) management, and DC power delivery for EV charging at the substation and downstream.
Product overview
GridBridge is a pioneer of power electronics-based solutions for electrical networks, acquired by ERMCO in 2017. The company provides electric utility customers with innovative power delivery solutions at the substation and downstream. The product portfolio centers on the LV Engine platform featuring the Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) as the core technology, complemented by a range of single-phase (1PH 50kVA) and three-phase (3PH 150kVA, 500KVA) power electronics transformers. These products offer voltage management, power factor correction, phase balancing, and distributed energy resource management capabilities using advanced SiC and GaN semiconductor technologies. The offerings are designed to help utilities modernize distribution grids, integrate renewable energy sources, and support electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 3PH 500KVA LV Substation Unified Power Flow Controller A flagship three-phase 500KVA Unified Power Flow Controller for low voltage substation deployment, providing voltage management, power factor correction, phase balancing, and DC power delivery for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Sold to electric utilities.
- 1PH 50kVA Pole-top Transformer Single-phase 50kVA power electronics-based transformer solution designed for pole-top installation in distribution networks. Sold to electric utilities.
- 1PH 50kVA Padmount Transformer Single-phase 50kVA power electronics-based transformer solution designed for padmount installation in distribution networks. Sold to electric utilities.
- 1PH 50kVA Integrated Transformer Single-phase 50kVA integrated power electronics solution combining multiple functionalities in a unified package for distribution grid applications. Sold to electric utilities.
- 3PH 150kVA Padmount Transformer Three-phase 150kVA power electronics-based transformer solution designed for padmount installation, supporting distributed energy resources and grid modernization. Sold to electric utilities.
- LV Engine An advanced low voltage substation platform centered on the Unified Power Flow Controller, designed to support uptake of distributed energy resources and manage unprecedented increases in electricity demand while providing voltage management and EV charging capabilities.
- Grid Energy Router Power electronics-based device for use in microgrids and distributed generation applications, enabling energy routing and grid management capabilities for secondary distribution feeders.
Quantifiable outcome
- Successfully demonstrated voltage management to a dynamically adjustable setpoint, improved power factor correction, and phase balancing while simultaneously delivering DC power to charge electric vehicles
Companies that use GridBridge
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
GridBridge technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
GridBridge partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- ERMCOcoreERMCO acquired GridBridge in 2017, bringing together GridBridge's power electronics innovation with ERMCO's fifty years of reliable electrical apparatus manufacturing heritage. GridBridge operates as a subsidiary focused on providing innovative power delivery solutions at the substation and downstream, while leveraging ERMCO's manufacturing infrastructure (including the Dyersburg, TN facility).
- SP Energy NetworkscoreSP Energy Networks partnered with GridBridge and ERMCO to deploy the LV Engine technology in the UK to meet UK Net Zero ambitions. This includes Wrexham and Falkirk installations of Unified Power Flow Controllers. SP Energy Networks is the UK electricity network operator.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
GridBridge competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Smart Wires: Smart Wires develops modular power flow control technology (SmartValve) for transmission and distribution grids, directly competing with GridBridge's Unified Power Flow Controller in enabling utilities to redirect power and manage congestion on existing lines.
- Varentec: Varentec provides grid-edge power electronics and software for distribution utilities, including VAR compensation and voltage management devices—closely aligned with GridBridge's grid edge hardware-plus-software strategy for secondary distribution feeders.
Broad incumbents
- ABB: ABB is a major power-electronics and grid equipment manufacturer offering STATCOMs, power flow controllers, and distribution solutions that overlap with GridBridge's UPFC and substation offerings but as part of a much broader utility portfolio.
- Siemens Smart Infrastructure: Siemens offers power flow control, distribution grid management, and grid-edge software that compete with GridBridge's LV Engine platform, leveraging a global installed base and significantly larger R&D and utility relationships.
- Schneider Electric: Schneider Electric's Grid Operations and EcoStruxure platforms provide distribution grid hardware, power conversion, and DER management solutions that overlap with GridBridge's product portfolio at the substation and downstream.
- Eaton: Eaton manufactures power distribution equipment, voltage regulation, and grid-tied power electronics for utilities, competing in adjacent categories to GridBridge's transformers and substation power electronics.
- Hitachi Energy: Hitachi Energy (formerly ABB Power Grids) supplies grid power electronics including FACTS devices, STATCOMs, and HVDC solutions that compete with GridBridge's UPFC-class technology for transmission and distribution voltage management.
- S&C Electric Company: S&C Electric manufactures distribution grid equipment, including power-electronics-based voltage and VAR control devices, making it a broad incumbent comparable to GridBridge's substation and feeder-level offerings.
Emerging players
- Amply Power: Amply Power provides software-managed charging and energy management for electric vehicle fleets, intersecting with GridBridge's EV charging integration capabilities via its LV Engine's DC output for vehicle charging.
Others
- Siemens Gamesa (Smart Grid / EV Infrastructure): Through its EV infrastructure and grid integration offerings, Siemens addresses the same utility EV-charging enablement and grid-edge use cases GridBridge targets with its LV Engine, though via broader portfolio solutions.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
GridBridge social profiles
Digital presenceGridBridge financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GridBridge leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
GridBridge funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GridBridge M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about GridBridge
What does GridBridge do?
GridBridge designs, manufactures, and sells power electronics-based hardware and accompanying software for electric utility distribution grids. Its portfolio centers on Unified Power Flow Controllers (UPFCs), Grid Energy Routers, and single- and three-phase power electronics transformers that provide voltage management, power factor correction, phase balancing, distributed energy resource (DER) management, and DC power delivery for EV charging at the substation and downstream.
Is GridBridge a public or private company?
GridBridge is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was GridBridge founded?
GridBridge was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is GridBridge based?
GridBridge is headquartered in Raleigh, United States, in the North America region.
How does GridBridge make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Hardware product sales are the primary driver. The others are software and data services.
Who are GridBridge's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Smart Wires and Varentec. Broad incumbents are ABB, Siemens Smart Infrastructure, Schneider Electric, Eaton, Hitachi Energy and S&C Electric Company. Amply Power is listed as an emerging player. Siemens Gamesa (Smart Grid / EV Infrastructure) is listed as an others.
Does GridBridge have an API?
No public API is recorded for GridBridge.
What industry is GridBridge in?
GridBridge's product category is Power Electronics for Electric Utilities. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAAAI, Grid-Scale Power Conversion & Interconnection (PCS, Grid-Tie Inverters, Converter Stations), with a secondary code of IMAGAAAJ, Microgrid & Distributed Grid Equipment (Controllers, Switchgear Packages, DER Interconnection). Its NAICS code is 22112 and its SIC code is 3600.