Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro, and biomass are the supporting pillars of a sustainable power supply. Specially designed transformers and protection systems are essential to feed this energy into the public grid. The rapid integration of renewable energy into existing grids demands flexible, powerful, and durable components.
What special requirements do renewable energy sources place on grid technology?
Photovoltaic and wind power plants generate electricity with a highly fluctuating profile – dependent on time of day and weather. This means frequent load changes, numerous switching operations, and particular requirements for the cycling durability of the transformers used. They are also often installed in harsh environments: offshore wind farms, alpine locations, or the desert.
Key Characteristics at a Glance
- Solar transformers with high efficiency in the partial-load range
- Wind transformers with a compact design for nacelle mounting
- Robust enclosures for extreme environmental conditions
- Low noise emissions for public acceptance
- Long service life and reduced maintenance effort
- Offshore transformers in a specially corrosion-resistant design
- Cooling and filtration concepts specially certified for desert locations
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do wind turbines need special transformers?
Extreme mechanical stresses, vibrations, and cramped space conditions prevail inside a wind turbine’s nacelle. Wind transformers must therefore be compact, vibration-resistant, and particularly robust against load changes – cast-resin transformers are very often used here.
How are solar parks connected to the power grid?
The inverters of the PV modules convert direct current into alternating current. Distribution transformers then raise the voltage to medium-voltage level. A central park transformer then converts it to the public grid’s delivery voltage – often 110 kV or higher.
How is the energy technology market changing due to the energy transition?
Demand for specialized transformers for wind, solar, and BESS applications is growing continuously. At the same time, requirements on delivery times are increasing, since many projects are carried out in parallel – early planning and long-term partnerships are becoming more important.
What requirements do grid operators place on generation plants?
Plants must operate in a grid-supportive manner: dynamic grid support in the event of a fault, provision of reactive power, defined behavior in response to voltage and frequency deviations, and communication links to control centers. Compliance with national grid connection guidelines is a prerequisite for obtaining the grid connection approval.
Are you planning a solar park, wind farm, or hydropower project? We supply the right transformers and provide comprehensive advice on grid connection. Contact our experts.