Balancing Power and Innovation: How Enertechnos Used the Veichi AC310 to Validate Next-Generation Cable Technology
Balancing Power and Innovation: How Enertechnos Used the Veichi AC310 to Validate Next-Generation Cable Technology
By Amir Sami, MBA, BEng (Hons), Director of Sales for Charter Controls
As the energy transition accelerates, companies across the UK are developing new ways to make power distribution cleaner and more efficient. One of those pioneers is Enertechnos, whose patented Capacitive Transfer System (CTS) cable is designed to reduce losses in transmission and distribution networks. To put the technology to the test, Enertechnos partnered with the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC) on a large-scale proving project.
A critical part of the trials was the ability to precisely control and modulate power frequency across an approximately 1.8 km, 3-phase CTS cable. For that, Enertechnos selected the Veichi AC310 Variable Frequency Drive, supplied and supported in the UK by Charter Controls.
The Challenge: Recreating Realistic Operating Conditions for CTS Cable Testing
Enertechnos' CTS cable works by offsetting the inductive reactance that normally builds up across long cable lengths. The objective for the NZTC project was to demonstrate how this innovation could minimise impedance and improve overall efficiency in demanding operating conditions.
The challenge lay in recreating realistic scenarios and measuring how the CTS cable performed under different parameters. Enertechnos needed a drive system that could support:
- Frequencies well beyond the UK's 50 Hz grid baseline
- Stable, controllable output at 690 V
- Seamless integration with auxiliary equipment
- High-resolution performance monitoring during live operation
In simple terms, this was a test bed that demanded both precision and flexibility.
Why Enertechnos Chose the Veichi AC310
After reviewing the available options, Enertechnos selected the 320 kW Veichi AC310 VFD. Built for high-performance applications, the AC310 combines strong vector control performance, STO (Safe Torque Off) functionality and a wide choice of expansion interfaces, making it well suited to advanced proving and development environments.
Crucially, the drive enabled the team to increase transmitted frequency from the grid standard of 50 Hz to a range of 400 to 900 Hz at 690 V. This was essential not only for completing the NZTC trials, but also for supporting Enertechnos' next proving programmes, including 400 Hz aviation projects and the DIVA (Dynamic Intermittent Variable Asymmetry) system, which is designed to test CTS performance under highly variable, real-world grid conditions.
Installation and Technical Support
Installation was reported as straightforward and intuitive. Additional auxiliary equipment, including remote control modules, was sourced as off-the-shelf hardware and integrated without issue, supported by the AC310's compatibility with third-party equipment.
Throughout commissioning, Enertechnos also benefited from close technical collaboration from both Veichi and Charter Controls.
"Setting it up was relatively easy and straightforward. The versatility of the VFD enabled us to devise more appropriate operational scenarios to meet the NZTC milestones. The technical team at Veichi and the sales team at Charter Controls were diligent when it came to providing on-the-go support."
Isobel Arrowsmith, Head of Marketing, Enertechnos
Results and Benefits of the Veichi AC310 in the NZTC Project
The AC310 quickly proved its value in practice. Key benefits included:
Balanced Reactance
By modulating output frequency as a proxy for cable length, engineers successfully balanced the reactance of the 1.8 km CTS cable and achieved minimal impedance.
Real-Time Control
PWM carrier frequency and operational parameters could be adjusted dynamically under live conditions, helping to reduce downtime and improve data accuracy.
Operational Flexibility
Multiple scenarios were tested to validate CTS performance against NZTC milestones, demonstrating the cable's potential across a broader range of applications.
Streamlined Integration
Easy compatibility with auxiliary equipment, combined with responsive supplier support, helped keep installation and commissioning on schedule.
For Enertechnos, this represented more than a smooth installation. It was an important validation step towards commercialising their CTS technology. For Charter Controls, it reinforced the value of matching innovative clean-tech projects with robust, high-performance industrial drive solutions.
Design and Integration Considerations for Industrial Innovators
This project highlighted several practical lessons for engineers, OEMs and technology developers:
- Selecting a versatile drive system early in project design can simplify testing and reduce integration risk
- Supplier collaboration is as important as the hardware itself because responsive support can accelerate project delivery
- Compatibility with third-party equipment can reduce cost and increase operational flexibility
Project Outcomes and Next Steps
The NZTC project demonstrated how Enertechnos' CTS cable can deliver on its promise of lower-loss power transmission, while the Veichi AC310 provided the control, frequency range and precision needed to prove it. Looking ahead, Enertechnos will continue building on this foundation through additional proving projects, including 400 Hz trials and the advanced DIVA system.
"Projects like this highlight the importance of not just supplying equipment, but truly supporting innovation at every stage. At Charter Controls, we work closely with forward-thinking companies like Enertechnos to ensure they have the flexibility, performance and technical backing needed to validate new technologies under real-world conditions. As the demands on power systems continue to evolve, having the right drive solution and the right partner behind it can make a critical difference in bringing new ideas to life."
Amir Sami, Director of Sales, Charter Controls
Why This Matters for UK Industry
As UK industry looks for more efficient and resilient ways to transmit and manage power, projects like this show the importance of combining innovative engineering with proven automation hardware. The Veichi AC310 gave Enertechnos the controllability and confidence needed to test at scale, while Charter Controls provided the local support needed to keep the project moving.
For organisations developing advanced cable systems, power test rigs or high-frequency proving environments, selecting the right drive partner can have a direct impact on project speed, data quality and long-term commercial success.
Talk to Charter Controls About Veichi Drives
If you are specifying a variable frequency drive for a demanding industrial application, Charter Controls can help you identify the right solution for performance, integration and long-term support.
Contact Charter Controls to discuss the Veichi AC310 or your wider drive and automation requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Veichi AC310 used for?
The Veichi AC310 is a high-performance variable frequency drive used for demanding industrial motor control applications where precise speed, torque and frequency control are required.
Why was the Veichi AC310 suitable for the Enertechnos project?
It offered the high-frequency output range, stable 690 V operation, integration flexibility and live control needed to test CTS cable performance under realistic proving conditions.
What is the Enertechnos CTS cable?
The Capacitive Transfer System (CTS) cable is a patented cable technology developed by Enertechnos to reduce losses in transmission and distribution networks by offsetting inductive reactance.
What frequencies were achieved during testing?
The system enabled Enertechnos to increase transmitted frequency from 50 Hz to a range of 400 to 900 Hz at 690 V.
How did Charter Controls support the project?
Charter Controls supplied the Veichi AC310 in the UK and supported the project with sales coordination, product guidance and responsive technical collaboration alongside Veichi.