Synthetic, Smart Grid For Renewable Energy

For many years, the thought of a Smart grid for renewable energy was thought to be impossible due to theproblem of matching supply to demand. You can’t suddenly make the sun shine brighter or the wind blowstronger. In addition, in many locations, it has not been possible to connect more than a certain amount ofgeneration to the Grid because of weaknesses in the local network.

This has now changed due to a radical new development from Smart Power Ltd. They have managed todevelop a new patent pending method of having a Smart, Synthetic Grid that can also be connected to theNational Grid. This means that all of the power that is created from renewable energy can be stored on siteand the power requirements of the Smart Grid for the site met. If insufficient power is being produced tomeet demand, then the demand is supplemented from the storage system. If more power is being producedthan required, then the storage system is recharged. If there is insufficient power in the storage system, thenthe extra power can be demanded from the Grid. If too much power has been produced than is required forsite use and storage, then the excess can be fed to the Grid in a controlled manner that does not affect anyweaknesses in the local network.

It is the control of the system that offers a ground breaking solution to an age old problem. This control hasbeen made possible by the integration of management control algorithms and the use of a new type ofQuad directional inverter. This minimises efficiency losses by all functions being performed by one inverterrather than using separate inverters for each function.

This radical new system could drastically improve the efficiency and payback return of any site usingrenewable energy. All of the power that is produced can now be used when required rather than any unusedpower being sent to the Grid. This increase in efficiency improves the rate of return on investment as well asenabling a site to become energy self-sufficient.

Dr Marc Stanton, Commercial Director for Smart Power stated that, “Prices of installations have recentlybeen drastically reduced, often to less than £1 per Watt. Now is a great time to install a solar P.V. systembefore the Government reduce or even stop offering the generous payments they are currently offering.Once a renewable energy system has been installed, the payments are guaranteed for 20 years, but if theGovernment stop offering the scheme, then it will be too late. It will still be a good idea to install solar P.Vbut with the current incentives, it is a no brainer”.

An additional benefit of the system is the fact that if the system has excess power, rather than have to turnoff generation and lose Feed in Tariffs payments excess power can be fed to the Grid under G83/2parameters of 16 Amps per phase. This eliminates any upgrade costs for connection to the Grid and meansthat renewable generation can now take place at locations that had previously been denied permission toconnect to the Grid due to overcapacity or Grid network weaknesses.

Many of the Scottish Islands and increasingly, areas of the Mainland are constrained to a G83 gridconnection, yet there is a large potential for renewable generation above 16A per phase, per site. Sites withlarger demands could reap the benefits of larger renewable energy installations but grid constraints and costof reinforcement of the electricity network (which are charged to the end customer) are preventing thenecessary implementation of renewable energy. This system allows the installation of a renewable energysystem to be designed to the requirements of the end user, rather than the limitations of the electricitynetwork.

Smart Power are currently holding a series of open days. Anyone interested in attending is welcome to booka place by calling 01704 841861 or contacting Dr Stanton on marc@cleanpowersolutions.co.uk