Into the Digital Future

Energy suppliers are changing the way they think. Instead of merely selling green energy, they also are organizing and marketing the flexibility that comes from maintaining stability on the electrical grid. For this to occur, energy systems need to be controllable from production to consumption using intelligent communication networks. WAGO supports digitizing the energy sector and the design of smart grids with state-of-the-art control and measurement technology, along with software solutions that enable a simple and secure connection to the cloud.

As the proportion of renewable energy sources increases, the need to monitor decentralized suppliers and substations also increases. Because they are compact, support many interfaces and fieldbus protocols and offer a high level of availability – even in bitter cold or high heat – WAGO automation systems allow this data to be be archived, analyzed and transmitted securely. Intrinsically safe Ex i modules for the modular WAGO-I/O-SYSTEM assure that usage in hazardous areas, as encountered in biogas plants, is no problem.

In virtual power plants, decentralized generators such as wind turbines, storage facilities and controllable loads become flexible (and adjustable) backups. Intelligently synchronizing these is necessary to reduce loads upon the power grid. WAGO's telecontrollers make this process easier. Because they meet the requirements of the VHPready 4.0 communication standard, the trouble-free connection of systems to the virtual power plant is ensured.

Energy grids, including all aspects of their inherent automation and telecontrol technologies, are rapidly modernizing to meet current demands. WAGO controllers provide important grid data that allows operators to intervene with automated control as needed. In the field of gas and heat supply, WAGO's technology grants control and access to all data within the systems connected to the grids from any connected location. The special security features of the PFC200 Controller follows all relevant cybersecurity guidelines.

Storage systems compensate for fluctuating green electrical generation thus reducing load on the power grid. WAGO’s telecontrol technology is at the heart of storage systems recording all measured values, such as the feed-in data of solar plants or wind turbines, and enables monitoring and customer-specific control of the storage. For example, if the mains frequency increases due to high feed-in from renewables, the battery, power-to-heat or power-to-gas plant receives the order to draw excess current from the grid.