Charles Murray with Switched Source

Scott MacKenzie introduces Industrial Talk, a podcast focused on industrial professionals, and promotes free resources like an e-book and an evaluation tool. He interviews Charlie Murray, CEO of Switched Source, about their innovative power electronics solutions for distribution utilities. Switched Source's technology, called Phase EQ, balances electrical load on power lines, improving grid efficiency and reliability. The device, which operates up to 15,000 volts, can be deployed quickly without service interruptions. Charlie discusses the company's mission to unlock capacity for electric vehicle adoption and their future plans for international expansion.

Action Items

• [ ] Visit Switched Source's website at www.switchedsource.com to get more information.
• [ ] Connect with Charlie Murray on LinkedIn.
• [ ] Reach out to Charlie Murray, President of Switched Source, to learn more about the company's technology and solutions.

Outline

Introduction to Industrial Talk and Resources

• Scott MacKenzie introduces Industrial Talk, emphasizing its focus on the success of industrial professionals.
• He mentions two free resources: an e-book and an evaluation tool.
• The e-book is a collection of solutions from industry leaders based on 3000 competitions.
• The evaluation tool is a workbook that helps users assess if their solutions align with customer challenges.

Welcome to the Industrial Talk Podcast

• Speaker 1 welcomes listeners to the Industrial Talk podcast with Scott MacKenzie.
• Scott MacKenzie reiterates the podcast's focus on celebrating industrial professionals.
• He highlights the importance of innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving in the industry.
• Scott mentions the podcast's sponsor, Siemens, and encourages listeners to visit siemens.com for more information.

Introduction of Charlie Murray and Switched Source

• Scott MacKenzie introduces Charlie Murray, the CEO of Switched Source, and mentions the company's recent source switch.
• Charlie Murray shares his background as an electrical engineer with expertise in renewable energy and power electronics.
• Scott praises Charlie's credentials and transitions to discussing Switched Source.

Overview of Switched Source and Its Mission

• Charlie Murray explains the genesis of Switched Source, focusing on energy storage and capacity challenges for utilities.
• He describes the concept of using power electronics as a controllable gateway to balance load pockets in distribution systems.
• The company aims to help utilities make the most of their existing infrastructure using power electronics.

Technical Details of Switched Source's Solutions

• Charlie Murray provides a technical explanation of power electronics, including their ability to switch rapidly at high voltages.
• He describes the Phase EQ device, which connects to power poles and balances the traffic on three-phase circuits.
• The device dynamically updates and balances the loading, making the most of the infrastructure.

Deployment and Benefits of Switched Source's Solutions

• Charlie Murray discusses the process of deploying the Phase EQ device, including the electrical connection and the need for a foundation.
• The device can be deployed quickly without requiring an outage for customers on the entire circuit.
• The device is designed to be a shut device, meaning it does not affect the flow of electricity to downstream customers.

Data Collection and Utility Collaboration

• Charlie Murray explains how the Phase EQ device collects data on system conditions and electrical grid performance.
• The device can be programmed to disconnect during certain system conditions, such as voltage sags.
• The collected data helps utilities with long-term planning and informs them about customer usage patterns and system imbalances.

Future Prospects and International Expansion

• Charlie Murray shares his excitement about the future of Switched Source, particularly in the context of electric vehicle adoption and grid reliability.
• The company aims to unlock load-serving capacity and improve the resiliency of the grid.
• Switched Source is also looking to expand internationally, particularly in regions with similar electrical systems and population densities.

Conclusion and Contact Information

• Scott MacKenzie wraps up the conversation, emphasizing the importance of distribution and transmission in the industry.
• He encourages listeners to reach out to Charlie Murray and Switched Source for more information.
• Scott provides contact information for Charlie Murray, including his LinkedIn profile and the Switched Source website.
• The podcast is sponsored by Siemens, and Scott encourages listeners to visit siemens.com for more information.