Power electronics manufacturer Huawei Fusion Solar and its sales and installation partner Wattkraft have integrated the first of the new smart substations in a solar park in Germany. The substation can push alternating solar power with an output of up to 7.3 megawatts into the grid. In doing so, the device raises the voltage from 800 volts, which the low-voltage inverters from Huawei supply from the solar park, to values between 20 and 34.5 kilovolts. Solar modules with a total output of 8.3 megawatts can be connected to one of the stations.
Seamless monitoring possible
But it is not only the power values that are impressive. The substation is full of intelligence. It permanently measures all relevant data such as currents and voltages both at the level of the medium-voltage switchgear and in the low-voltage distribution at the entrance, the temperature of the transformer, the humidity and the status of the door to detect possible unauthorised intrusion. The station delivers this data in real time to the operations manager in the control room, who can react immediately and, above all, remotely to any faults that occur according to the measured values.
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Huawei has also opted for a simple solution for the installation. The transformer, including power electronics, arrives fully operational at the construction site in a 20-foot container. There, it is simply placed on a concrete foundation and connected. The entire solution can be kept relatively small for the high output because the actual transformer is located outdoors. This means that no additional cooling system is required, which allows for a more compact design. (su/mfo)
