Twin Falls entrepreneur and inventor Mark Merni is on top of the world.
The U.S. Department of Energy awarded his small business, Merni Technologies, funding to redesign and develop medium-voltage power cable connectors that can make underground electrical repairs faster, safer, and more reliable. I chose.
Merni's operations are part of the Department of Energy's Power Grid Overhaul with Proactive Rapid Undergrounding for Reliability, Resilience, and Security (GOPHURRS) program to strengthen and modernize the nation's aging power grid. was one of 12 companies nationwide to receive funding.
Merni attributes some of the success to a previous partnership with INL. Specifically, the Institute provided critical high-voltage electrical testing.
“The INL test was a real kick-off point to bring legitimacy to our technology,” said Merni. “No one can deny the fact that if it is tested and proven at INL, it will work.”
ARPA-E Gopher
GOPHURRS is managed by the DOE Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-E) and is a collaboration between several companies to develop technologies that reduce costs, increase speed, and improve the safety of underground drilling operations. , small businesses, universities, and national laboratories.
Melni Technologies will receive $2 million in funding over the next three years to develop and market new medium-voltage power cable splice kits, or connectors.
This kit features a unique dual helix spiral technology that eliminates the pinching and crimping associated with traditional splices and instead uses a conductive spiral that wraps around both ends of the wire.
This technology reduces the number of steps required and streamlines connections, making it possible to repair underground power lines six times faster than existing methods. The technology also significantly reduces human error and increases the reliability of underground power distribution systems, Merni said.
Merni Technologies and INL
Melni began developing the connector nearly 10 years ago after winning $10,000 in an INL-sponsored entrepreneurship contest. His partnership with INL continued several years later through the Institute's Technical Assistance Program, which provides his 40 hours of free technical assistance to small businesses.
Under this program, the institute assisted Melni Technology with high voltage testing to obtain connector certification. Melni said the test would not have been possible without INL.
Merni said seeing the institute's state-of-the-art capabilities firsthand and engaging with its employees increased his excitement and attitude about working with INL.
Mark Hunter, a former electrical foreman at INL's materials and fuels complex, oversees the electrical tests that Underwriters Laboratory (the ubiquitous UL stamped on every electrical device in this country) puts on connectors before awarding certification. Did.
This connector withstood 41,000 volts on INL's test equipment. This far exceeds his 3,400 volt requirement. Subsequent tests confirmed that the connector can withstand any difficulties. Merni still remembers the look of awe on Hunter's face when the test exceeded the team's expectations.
“At first, (Mark) couldn't believe the results they were seeing,” Merni said. “But once he saw it, it didn't take long for him to really get hooked.”
Merni said he hopes to continue the partnership with INL given the value the institute brings to the continued development and deployment of connectors in the market.
INL's mission
INL serves as a key research, design and demonstration hub for companies like Melni Technologies working to address and solve the world's energy challenges. National laboratories, including INL, are committed to working with industry to strengthen the economy.
INL provides a wide range of valuable resources and partnership opportunities to businesses, industry, and universities to leverage our expertise in nuclear energy, cybersecurity, and materials science. The lab also offers funding opportunities, educational programs, and workforce development initiatives to foster innovation and skill development.
“INL works diligently to foster industry collaboration to address specific challenges and accelerate the commercialization of cutting-edge technologies,” said Jason Stallworthy, Director of Technology Deployment. said. “Each industry can benefit from customized solutions and participate in a dynamic ecosystem that fosters mutual growth and advancement.”
For more information about partnership opportunities, please contact INL at td@inl.gov.
