en.Wedoany.com Reported - General Motors is deploying IONATE's HIT solid-state power transformer at its transmission plant in Romulus, Michigan, to integrate the latest global testing electrical and digital infrastructure and enhance manufacturing performance.
HIT's solid-state electronics are designed to provide GM with sub-millisecond real-time power quality visibility, thereby improving resilience and efficiency. IONATE founder and CEO Matthew Williams stated that HIT looks much like a transformer and plays the same role in a substation, but integrates the monitoring and control needed for modern power systems. HIT's brain includes sensing, power electronics, and software, enabling continuous monitoring of conditions such as voltage, power quality, and power factor, with real-time adjustments to stabilize the system and protect the surrounding grid.
GM is IONATE's first industrial customer in the U.S. market, with the company headquartered in London. The two parties have not yet announced a timeline for deploying HIT in Romulus, but engineering teams from both companies are collaborating to integrate a 3MVA (megavolt-ampere) IEEE unit compliant with U.S. standards, undergoing final testing and customization.
In power system simulations, the technology increased available grid capacity by up to 25%, reduced energy losses by 6%, achieved efficiency exceeding 99%, and enabled a 33% increase in distributed energy resources without further upgrades.
HIT will combine sensing, power electronics, and software to power and analyze GM's production rhythm at the Romulus propulsion systems plant. The facility employs nearly 1,000 workers.
Automation and electrification are forcing commercial and industrial customers to address growing loads and energy supply demands. Substation and distribution system upgrades help mitigate load fluctuations and higher demands from next-generation manufacturing technologies. GM's manufacturing operations require the highest standards of reliability, efficiency, and power quality.
GM is investing over $830 million to strengthen its manufacturing footprint at three plants in the U.S. Midwest: Romulus, Michigan; Toledo, Ohio (propulsion systems and transmissions); and Saginaw, Michigan (metal casting operations). Mike Trevorrow, GM's senior vice president of global manufacturing, stated during the capital investment announcement in April 2025 that by investing in these plants, they are investing in employees and communities, supporting families, strengthening local businesses, and driving national economic growth.
GM serves as IONATE's entry point into the large U.S. industrial customer base. The British infrastructure company has partnered with global entities such as Energias de Portugal (EDP) for grid-scale transformer upgrades in Spain and Portugal. IONATE has also established a manufacturing partnership with Norway's Magtech to integrate HIT technology into custom transformers within Magtech's voltage regulator hardware facility in Steinkjer.
