Startup Varentec, which makes hardware and software that can dynamically control the flow of electrons at the edges of the power grid, has raised a new round of $8 million in funding from Bill Gates and current investor Khosla Ventures. Gates is a limited partner in Khosla Ventures’ fund, and it’s not uncommon for Gates to invest alongside Khosla in promising startups like in liquid metal battery company Ambri.

Internet and telecom networks routinely re-route data when paths get clogged or broken. But for the power grid — which is only just now getting upgraded with digital technology — it’s a different story and this tech is not readily available. This type of technology would be particularly important for the power grid as utilities add in solar and wind power, which is unpredictable in nature (the sun only shines and the wind only blows at certain times).

Varentec…