From Grid to Wallet: How Energy Storage Systems Drive Cost Savings Electricity isn’t just about keeping lights on—it’s about managing supply, demand, prices, and risk. Energy Storage Systems (ESS) provide a bridge between times when electricity is abundant (and cheap) and when it’s scarce (and expensive). By doing so, ESS helps reduce costs, enhance resilience...
The Problem: Variable Speed Drives Generate Harmonics What is a Variable Speed Drive (VSD/VFD)?A Variable Speed Drive (VSD), also commonly called a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) or Adjustable Speed Drive (ASD), is an electronic device that controls the speed and torque of an AC electric motor by varying the motor's input frequency and voltage. How Do They Cause Harmonics?The internal design of a ...
As the world accelerates toward cleaner energy, the grid is being asked to carry far more than it was ever designed for. Solar parks, wind farms, and EV charging stations are connecting at record speed. On the surface, this looks like a straightforward victory for decarbonization. Yet behind the scenes, one invisible factor quietly determines whether this energy transition can succeed: power quali...
In recent years, solar energy storage systems (ESS) have become a cornerstone of off-grid and hybrid energy solutions in remote regions. This case study highlights the transformative impact of deploying a commercial solar ESS solution in a remote business complex in Montenegro. Project Overview The site, located on the outskirts of Pljevlja in northern Montenegro, consi...
Modern industrial operations rely heavily on a steady, clean supply of electricity. The integrity of this power supply is constantly challenged by the proliferation of non-linear loads like variable frequency drives (VFDs), LED lighting systems, and server power supplies, all of which introduce complex harmonic distortions into the grid. These distortions can lead to devastating consequences, incl...
Introduction As global energy demand continues to rise, distributed photovoltaic (PV) generation has emerged as a key solution for achieving sustainable and decentralized power. In Latin America, Colombia has been steadily expanding its renewable energy capacity, with the city of Medellín—a vibrant urban hub surrounded by the Andes Mountains—leading the way in solar adoption. Th...
1. Why Do SVGs Generate Harmonics? Unlike ideal components, the real-world power electronic switches (IGBTs) in an SVG do not switch sinusoidally. They use Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) to synthesize a sinusoidal output current. This switching action is the primary source of harmonics. PWM Switching Frequency Harmonics: The output voltage of the SVG's H-Bridge inverters is a series of high-fre...
SVG Parallel Operation Test via CAN Communication Test Objective This test aimed to verify the performance and stability of multiple SVG (Static Var Generator) units operating in parallel via CAN communication when internal CTs are not used. Specifically, eight SVG modules were tested to evaluate their operation, communication reliability, and reactive power compensation consistency under CAN-base...