Operators of ecopower plants fiercely compete for the cheapest kilowatt hour and must pay attention to efficiency and low costs when installing their systems. They are also required to connect systems of a certain size to the control system of the grid operator so that they can be down-regulated remotely as required. That requires telecontrol communication.
Solar Tracking
In recent years, solar renewable energy has become more cost-effective in generating electricity to power our communities. Renewable energy systems such as solar panels, are used to convert the sun’s electromagnetic energy into power for our everyday use. In order to obtain the most energy from the sun, engineers use Solar Position Algorithms (SPA) to calculate the location of the sun and align it with the renewable energy equipment. Solar collectors can increase their output from 30% to 40% when they are positioned directly with the sun’s rays. The WAGOSPAlib library calculates the sun’s position within 0.0003º of accuracy based on documents published by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). This license free library can be used with WAGO PFC100, PFC200 and Touch Panel 600 Control Panel devices to help position solar arrays and mirrors.
To enable communication between electricity producers and grid operators, the operators of photovoltaic power plants revert to telecontrol protocols. WAGO Controllers provide a standardized and easy-to-use interface for users based on the IEC 60870-5-101/-103/-104, 61400-25, 61850-7-420 (Server/Client), MODBUS, DNP3 standards. Advantages of WAGO's telecontrol solution:
Solar energy fluctuates and must be regulated.
In assembling a photovoltaic system, safe, simple installation is decisive. WAGO enables both: With the comprehensive TOPJOB® S Rail-Mount Terminal Blocks, photovoltaic lines are reliably and permanently connected. Disconnect and fuse terminal blocks with high voltage resistance securely isolate photovoltaic generators from inverters. Additional solutions like blocking diodes round out the offering.
WAGO simplifies installation of solar power plants.
The inverter is the heart of the photovoltaic system. It converts the direct current from solar modules into an alternating current, which is then fed to the public power grid. The devices have very little loss with an efficiency up to 99%. In other words: Only one hundredth of the DC power is lost during conversion. The durability and performance of an inverter is determined by its electronic and electromechanical components. They must work reliably for many years and ensure high functionality and safety in small spaces. WAGO's high-current PCB terminal blocks meet those requirements.
Solar engineer connecting an inverter
Wind turbines have modern electronic controls. The main controller as the central element is in constant contact with peripheral control elements, such as the wind tracking system and the blade adjustment system. This contact ensures optimal operation in any weather by changing individual system parameters. Proper infeed of the turbines in the power grid requires constant monitoring of the system's grid connection. Grid variables such as voltage, current and frequency are recorded and continuously sent to the plant control system to ensure an immediate response to defined limiting values that have been exceeded. WAGO supports wind farm management and ensures smooth communication with the grid operator, direct marketer and turbine operator. This allows the players delay-free access to the system without delay. The WAGO-I/O-SYSTEM 750 ensures that wind farms can be controlled and monitored fail-safe. Advantages of WAGO's telecontrol solution:
Substation at the Foot of a Wind Farm
A biogas plant produces biogas by fermenting primarily renewable raw materials or manure. In most cases, the gas is fed directly to local combined heat and power (CHP) plants and then fed into the public power grid. However, biogas can be processed into biomethane just as easily and fed into the natural gas network or converted in remote CHPs for decentralized local heating use. The WAGO-I/O-SYSTEM is used in all areas – whether in the automation of individual processes, in controlling processing plants or in connecting the generation plant to the control system of the grid operator or the supplier of control energy. Advantages of WAGO's telecontrol solution:
Biogas plant fermenters
Renewable energy from hydroelectric plants is an important part of the global energy transition. A high level of automation is required to operate hydroelectric plants economically. Among other applications, WAGO solutions can be found in turbine controls that are connected to a higher-level SCADA system for monitoring and power station control. Advantages of WAGO's telecontrol solution:
Storage power station in the Alps
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Power Engineering Applications
Regardless of whether it is digitalization, renewable energy generation or the integration of decentralized suppliers – WAGO offers solutions for every challenge in modern energy management.