Smart Power Solutions

What Smart Power Solutions does

Smart Power Solutions LLP is a privately held UK engineering firm founded in 2001 and based in Leeds that designs and manufactures custom power-electronics systems spanning 1 kW to over 1 MW for static and rotating applications. The company's core offering covers the full lifecycle — bespoke topology design, complex multi-layer PCB layout, embedded software (primarily on Microchip 16-bit dsPICs), in-house manufacturing (vapour-phase reflow, IGBT stack build), and validation testing up to 100 kW+ — delivered either as pure design services or as design-plus-manufacture packages. It serves a multi-vertical B2B customer base including automotive and electric vehicles, railway traction auxiliaries, oil & gas (notably subsea at 330 bar), smart grid, medical, white goods, and industrial/mining, with notable enterprise customers such as Ceres Power (long-term relationship exceeding 8 years), Clayton Equipment, and an undisclosed Brazilian subsea operator.

The business model is project-based and quote-driven: customers commission custom work, pay on a per-project basis, and own the resulting design IP, so revenue is primarily professional services / contract manufacturing rather than licensed or recurring product revenue. A sister company, Smart Power Products Ltd, was established to commercialise the firm's first own-branded product, PEN-GUARD® — an EV charging open-PEN protection device — alongside the custom-engineering services; the firm has also stated intent to license or subcontract designs where production volumes exceed in-house capacity. Technical differentiation rests on a Microchip Premier Design Partner ranking unique worldwide in Motor Control and Functional Safety, deep SiC MOSFET expertise (three projects within 18 months including a 500 kVA static converter and a 98%-efficient 15 kW subsea inverter), and a BSI ISO 9001:2015-certified QMS. The firm has been repeat-funded by Innovate UK (2009 TSB project, 2017-2019 Ceres Power collaboration, 2020 COVID-response £50k grant) and exhibits at PCIM, LCV/Cenex, IET PEMD, AESIN, and Power Electronics UK events as its primary demand-generation channel.

Name

Smart Power Solutions

Legal name

Smart Power Solutions LLP

Website

https://smartpowersolutions.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Smart Power Solutions is a privately held UK LLP founded in 2001 in Leeds that designs and manufactures custom power-electronics systems (1 kW to 1 MW+) for B2B customers in automotive/EV, railway traction, subsea oil & gas, medical, smart grid and industrial markets, delivered as bespoke project work and increasingly through its own-branded products via sister company Smart Power Products Ltd.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Power Electronics Design and Manufacturing

NAICS

Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112)

SIC

Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Low-Voltage Switchboards & Panelboards (LV distribution panels, MCCs, switchboards) (IMAGAEAA)

Keywords

• Custom power electronics
• Bespoke electronics design
• Power electronics manufacturing
• EV charging protection
• EMC compliance testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Leeds

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Custom design and manufacturing services: Core revenue: contract design and manufacture of bespoke power-electronics systems for customers. Commercial model is straightforward — 'if you pay for it you own it', so the design IP is typically transferred to the customer. Covers everything from mW to MW in Medical, Automotive, White Goods, Oil & Gas, Railways and Industrial. Projects range from low-volume high-power industrial / railway traction auxiliaries to higher-volume cost-sensitive automotive and appliance applications.
2. Own-branded product sales via sister company (Smart Power Products Ltd): Launch of own products starting with the PEN-GUARD® EV charging open-PEN protection device, sold via the sister company Smart Power Products Ltd at the same Leeds address. Provides a route to higher-volume, recurring product revenue alongside custom engineering services. Also exploring licensing or subcontracting designs for higher volumes.
3. Licensing / royalty potential on internal designs: Stated intention to licence or subcontract designs where volumes are higher than SPS can manufacture itself, opening a future licensing/royalty revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Smart Power Solutions LLP designs and manufactures bespoke power-electronics systems for industrial customers across low-power and high-power (250kW+) applications. Services span the full lifecycle from concept simulation, PCB layout, embedded software, and loss prediction through to prototyping, stack build, EMC/safety compliance testing, and volume manufacture. The company also produces its own branded PEN-GUARD product for open PEN protection in EV charging installations.

Product overview

Smart Power Solutions LLP is a custom engineered power electronics design and manufacturing services firm (founded 2001, based in Leeds UK) with a portfolio organised around five capability pillars: Research & Development, Applications, Technologies, Manufacture, and Test. The core offering is bespoke power electronics systems spanning 1kW to 1MW+ for static and rotating applications, delivered as either a pure design service or a full design-and-manufacture package. The Technologies pillar enumerates the technical building blocks: Grid-tied Inverters/AFE, Custom/Digital Power Supplies, Multi-Level/Resonant Converters, Brushless Motor Drives, Integrated Motor Drives, and Embedded Control, all backed by simulation (PLECS), complex PCB layout (Mentor PADS), embedded software (Microchip dsPICs), and loss prediction lab work (Newton's 4th PSM1735). Applications target Smart Grid, EV Charging, Fuel Cells, Hybrid & Fully Electric Vehicles, Automotive & Traction Auxiliaries, and Voltage Optimisation & Power Conditioning. SPS has begun layering in-house branded products on top of the services platform — most notably PEN-GUARD® (an EV charging open PEN protection device launched via sister company Smart Power Products Ltd), with stack-build outputs such as the Clayton Equipment 180 kW IP68 traction power converter representing the manufacturing delivery channel. The full lifecycle is completed in-house, with on-site test capability from PCB level up to 100kW+ systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PEN-GUARD: Electric Vehicle Charging Open PEN Protection unit - SPS's own branded product for EV charging installation protection, launched via sister company Smart Power Products.

Products and services

• High Power Electronics Design
• Low Power Electronics Design
• Power Electronics Manufacturing
• Bespoke Technology Development
• PEN-GUARD EV Charging Open PEN Protection
• EMC & Safety Pre-compliance Testing
• EMC & Safety Debug and Fix
• Temperature and Humidity Cycling Tests
• High Current / 100kW+ Power Capability Testing
• PAT Testing

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% inverter efficiency in a 15 kW subsea SiC MOSFET motor-drive operating at 330 bar (described as a possible world first).
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, moderate and minor.

• Microchip TechnologyflagshipTechnology or IntegrationPremier Design Partner status (re-awarded 2020) — SPS uses Microchip 16-bit dsPICs and analogue parts on the majority of its work. Premier status grants priority technical support and advance notification of new parts/technology. SPS is the only Premier Design Partner with Motor Control Expertise in Europe and the only one worldwide with this ranking for both Motor Control and Functional Safety.
• Microchip Technology (Functional Safety Design Partner programme)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficially recognised by Microchip as one of a select few functional safety design partners. SPS uses Microchip products to implement all of its embedded control partly because of the features, tools and libraries available to aid meeting safety requirements. Combined with the Premier Design Partner status, gives SPS a unique global positioning.
• Ceres Power LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of SPS's longest-standing customers. Collaborated on a 2017–2019 Innovate UK project (18 months) to take the existing fully-qualified compact power-electronics system for domestic micro-CHP and make it production-ready for other markets including the Far East. SPS's deliverable was a 1 kW isolated DC-to-AC grid-tied inverter system for fuel cell micro-CHP; 92.1% efficiency measured (target 92%). Existing PE unit had been in use at Ceres Power for 8+ years, including SteelGen™ units deployed with British Gas in the EU ene.field programme.
• Clayton EquipmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCustomer / partner for innovative full-electric and hybrid locomotives. SPS completed the first batch of traction power converters (up to 180 kW, 750 V DC max, IP68, air-cooled) in Dec 2019. Design optimised for reliability under power cycling.
• STMicroelectronics (ST)coreTechnology or IntegrationDescribed as a 'key supplier' of SPS. Technical Partner Dr. Charlie Elliott maintains direct engagement (15+ year relationship with ST's Keith D'Souza). Key topic of Feb 2020 discussion was a new automotive EV inverter enquiry and SiC technology updates.
• Dynex Semiconductor (Lincoln, UK)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPower semiconductor and power assemblies supplier. SPS's Technical Partner Dr. Charlie Elliott visited in March 2020 to discuss possible technical collaboration. Dynex (formerly GEC Plessy Semiconductors, now majority owned by China's CRRC) operates at higher power levels than SPS's typical 1 kW–1 MW+ range, so the two are complementary — SPS can complement Dynex's capabilities when its customers need power-electronics system design.
• Compound Semiconductor Application Catapult (CSA Catapult, Newport, UK)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisited in Jan 2020 by SPS's Technical Partner, who reported excellent team and facilities and identified a 'perfect application' for high-voltage and high-power (multi-MW) systems. SPS intends to work with them on future projects.
• Power Electronics UK (PEUK)moderateGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry body promoting the UK power electronics sector and providing a collaboration forum, managed by TechWorks. SPS joined in May 2017 and is actively involved; attended the relaunch event in Birmingham in Feb 2017. Originator of the Stephenson Challenge / Driving the Electric Revolution cross-industry initiative (UK government potentially investing up to £78 million).
• AESIN (Automotive Electronic Systems Innovation Network)moderateGTM or Marketing PartnerUK initiative focused on accelerated delivery of electronic systems into automotive applications and infrastructure, managed by TechWorks. SPS joined in May 2017 — a 'perfect fit' given SPS's xEV and intelligent actuator/motor drive work for automotive.
• Ridley EngineeringminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRuns a world-renowned Power Supply Design course. One of SPS's Principal Engineers (Peter Moriarty) attended the 4-day course in June 2019 as part of SPS's annual training programme.
• The Electronics Group (Leeds, UK)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal IPC training provider. Used by SPS for IPC/WHMA-A 620 Application Specialist and IPC A-610 courses for production staff (Alan Yarker, Liz Thewlis) in 2017 and ongoing recertifications.
• Newcastle University — School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering (PEDM Lab)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTwo of SPS's Principal Engineers used Newcastle's dynamometer facilities in Dec 2019 to test a 66-pole PM motor (1800 Nm) controlled by a SPS-designed rugged inverter. Provided testing capability that SPS lacks in-house.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Cosworth Electronics: UK-based high-performance powertrain and electronics business serving motorsport and premium automotive customers. Comparable on automotive-grade power electronics, motor control expertise and low-volume high-spec design engagements.
• Traco Power: Swiss-headquartered designer and manufacturer of power conversion products including DC/DC converters, AC/DC supplies and custom solutions. Comparable product/market overlap with SPS's custom and digital power supply and converter business.
• Cambridge Consultants: UK-based technology and engineering consultancy with a deep power electronics and motor control practice serving automotive, aerospace and industrial clients. Highly comparable as a custom-engineered design house competing for similar electrification and motor drive briefs.
• Turbo Power Systems (Mersen): UK power electronics specialist (now part of Mersen) focused on high-power converters, motor drives and grid-tie inverters for rail, aerospace, defence and industrial markets. Closely comparable on high-power static conversion and bespoke motor-drive design.
• Hoerbiger Antriebstechnik: Suppliers of traction power electronics and drive systems for rail and commercial vehicles. Directly comparable on the railway traction auxiliaries and IGBT stack/inverter design work that SPS delivers to Clayton Equipment and similar locomotive OEMs.
• Dynex Semiconductor: UK-based (Lincoln) manufacturer of power semiconductors and power assemblies, formerly GEC Plessey Semiconductors and now majority-owned by China's CRRC. Closely comparable in geography and complementary in capabilities (Dynex at higher powers, SPS at the system/integration level).
• ETEL (Yaskawa): Specialist in direct-drive motors and motion control electronics, including custom power electronics for high-performance industrial applications. Comparable in motor-drive customisation, embedded control and demanding-environment inverter design.

Broad incumbents

• ABB E-mobility: Large global supplier of EV charging, power conversion and industrial drives. Overlaps with SPS in grid-tie inverters, motor drives and EV-adjacent power electronics, but competes on volume standardisation rather than bespoke low-volume engineering.
• Schneider Electric: Global incumbent in power distribution, motor control and energy management. Competes broadly with SPS in switchboard/power distribution assemblies and motor-drive functionality, but operates at vastly larger scale across standard product lines.
• Siemens eMobility: Global incumbent offering a broad portfolio of EV charging infrastructure, grid-tie inverters and power conversion systems. Adjacent rather than head-to-head — SPS competes for niche/specialist bespoke requirements that Siemens' standard catalogue does not address.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smart-power-solutions-llp

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Smart Power Solutions