Date: Jul 22, 2010 Author: NANCY R. ELLIOTT Source: 0 (
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BY NANCY R. ELLIOTT 810-452-2601 • NELLIOTT@MIHOMEPAPER.COM
Dr. Matthew Holcomb in his Metamora Township lab. The lab will move to Grid Logic’s new temporary location in Oxford. Photos by Nancy R. Elliott Dr. Matthew Holcomb in his Metamora Township lab. The lab will move to Grid Logic's new temporary location in Oxford. Photos by Nancy R. Elliott METAMORA TWP. -- A short drive up a country lane bounded by lush foliage delivers visitors to an unassuming barn in Metamora Township. The unremarkable demeanor of the barn and the semi-rural setting give no hint that once you walk through the door, you're entering a whole new world.
The small barn is home to advanced technology of the first order -- the site of Dr. Matthew Holcomb's superconducting nanocomposite lab.
Holcomb has been working in the 770-square-foot lab for the past six years, developing superconducting technologies. His work has expanded on discoveries he made during years of research at Stanford University. Holcomb is now poised to bring his research to fruition in a way that will have positive impacts for the energy industry and for the local work force as well.
Holcomb is the chief technology officer of Grid Logic, Inc., the only United States-owned firm that will manufacture fault current limiters for electric utilities. The Grid Logic device acts like a surge protector, except it's billions of times bigger than the one hooked up to a computer. It controls very high current surges in the grid.
The technology will bring utilities soundly into the age of alternative energy sources, helping the grid adapt to intermittent power sources like wind or solar. It will transform the 30-40 year old industry equipment into efficient infrastructure that can realize cost savings while accommodating the move to "green."
"They have to make their grid smart. They know they have to incorporate different technologies ... It's an inevitable evolution," said George Caravias, Grid Logic's chief executive officer.
The leading edge potential of Grid Logic recently won them $5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act awards.
"Representative Jim Slezak has been a huge help to us," said Caravias. "He's just been a tireless promoter of advanced technology in the state."
Slezak (D-Davison) spent a great deal of time and effort, as well as time in Lansing during trips he paid for out of pocket, to bring the project to life, said a spokesman for the state representative.
"We're very excited to finally see the rubber hit the road" said Rep. Slezak, who is currently seeking election to the 26th State Senate seat, "a lot of Lansing revolves around talking the talk, but this project walks the walk".
State Sen. Jud Gilbert, Gov. Jennifer Granholm, and Lt. Gov. John Cherry were also instrumental. "Other states were making offers to have us move," said Caravias.
The funding means that Grid Logic is a mere 18 months away from moving into production mode with their Intelligent Current Limiter.
"It's kind of just a switch," said Holcomb simply. Holcomb's plain- English discussion belies the immense complexities and mysteries of his work. In fact, it's a very high-tech current-sen- sitive switch with no moving parts. It's born of the mysterious world of superconductivity.
Superconductors are elements, alloys or compounds that conduct electricity without resistance below certain temperatures.
Last week, Holcomb stood in his lab before a test fixture where a current limiting element was ready for its descent into a cryogenic bath that takes the temperature down -- way down.
"We do these kinds of tests to characterize the material and the component -- to make sure the material is behaving the right way," said Holcomb.
As Grid Logic gears up to get prototypes ready for field testing with utilities, the business is moving from its private country setting to a larger temporary home. Grid Logic is taking up residency this week in a portion of the 26,000- square-foot facility that is home to Warnke Tool Industries in Oxford. Grid Logic will work with Warnke in a contract manufacturing relationship to move the Intelligent Current Limiter to production.
Citing Warnke's excellent machinists and ability to handle complex assembly work, Caravias said, "They have a lot of skills that are very important to us .... They can build anything." Warnke has previously worked with alternative energy applications, too.
Warnke will house the Grid Logic lab and assembly production for six to 12 months while Grid Logic searches out and settles on a permanent facility.
"We hope it's in the area. It would be ideal if it were in Lapeer," said Caravias, noting that Oakland and Genesee counties are possibilities, too. "Our device requires manufacturing techniques a lot like those necessary to build cars ... So this is a great place to locate," said Caravias. He notes that the Grid Logic device is actually the size of a car.
During the next 18 months, Grid Logic will be adding jobs to support their push to production. The firm has some immediate needs to fill, and anticipates another wave of hiring about six months down the road.
Ultimately, Grid Logic is likely to grow by about 150 employees over the next five years. Caravias said their jobs needs span a variety of areas including engineering, lab technicians, administrative and machinists.
Check out the firm's website for more information at www.grid-logic.com.
