Agreement on OPG-patented Breaker Racking Tool leads to Laurentis’s first royalty cheque from Amidyne Solutions

In May 2020, Laurentis Energy Partners, a commercial subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation (OPG), signed a 5-year agreement with Amidyne Solutions Inc., providing Amidyne with a commercial license to manufacture, sell, and distribute OPG's patented Breaker Racking Tool, in return for royalties on sales.

Responsible for providing support and managing the relationship and interaction between OPG and Amidyne, Laurentis received their first royalty cheque through the agreement in mid-2021.

"This agreement demonstrates the wide variety of skills and services that Laurentis is capable of providing," said James Lauritsen, Managing Director at Laurentis Energy Partners. "We're capable of projects big or small, from project management and engineering services, to small- or large-scale asset refurbishments, to state-of-the-art system software and inspection technologies. It's not just a slogan; Laurentis truly is a diverse innovator and leader in the clean-energy industry."

The patented tool, designed and fabricated by OPG Operations and Maintenance personnel, allows a breaker to be racked more efficiently and, most importantly, safer.

"When breakers are racked, there is a risk of an arc flash," said James Willson, Maintenance Manager at OPG's Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, east of Toronto. "As such, there is a designated arc flash boundary and the personnel performing the work must be equipped with the proper personal protective equipment."

"This remote tool allows workers to remain out of the arc flash boundary while performing the breaker work, helping to keep them safe and out of harm's way," explained Willson.