Transformers for renewables

ABB transformers for renewable applications   Wind and solar are the fastest growing sources of electric power today for a few simple reasons: They are...

byPawel PRYLINSKI, Alberto RIVAS, Peter REHNSTROM, Juan Pedro GRACIA, Marie-Azeline FAEDY, Ilario SCIAN


ABB transformers for renewable applications

 

Wind and solar are the fastest growing sources of electric power today for a few simple reasons: They are renewable energy sources that do not produce greenhouse gases or other emissions; the “fuel” is free and essentially infinite in supply; and as technology matures, equipment costs continue to drop. As one of the largest independent suppliers of electrical components, as well as a power technology leader, ABB helps renewable energy customers along the complete value chain to generate, connect, monitor and control power as well as to maintain and optimize their systems.

Solar applications – the latest transformer technology

ABB transformers provide customized products for solar inverter manufacturers and solar farm developers for both indoor containerized inverter stations and outdoor inverter solutions. As the global technology leader for transformers, ABB offers a deep knowledge of inverter configurations, real operating conditions and specific customer requirements. This knowledge helps ABB customers understand the implications of equipment load cycles and thus optimize their balance of systems. This deeper understanding increases their competitiveness in a market that is extremely dynamic and price-driven.

Dry-type transformers for solar

ABB dry-type transformers are a dependable asset in any solar project, ensuring the highest product reliability with the broadest service and production footprint in the market. These transformers can help harness the power of the sun in any location and under virtually any conditions – from central inverters at 1,000 V DC for high efficiency in Japan to multi-winding solutions for 1,500 V DC up to MVA inside a conventional high cube container for installation and logistics savings. The design adaptability of ABB dry transformers allows owners to integrate the transformer inside the inverter, thus taking the containerized concept to the next level. Higher-temperature products, like ABB’s hi-T Plus concept with upgraded insulation, can allow further cost efficiency in a solar project. Owners can optimize the rated power for multiple ambient temperatures without footprint or weight changes, granting inverter standardization and economy of scale. An upcoming proliferation of utility string inverters will entail a further expansion of compact, safe and virtually maintenance-free dry-type transformers, as MV applications will be integrated into compact substations of up to 5 MW each. String solutions from ABB involve a simplification of transformer design requirements and further cost savings while increasing the available power inside conventional, easy-to-ship containers.

To read the article, subscribe and choose the option which suits you best. We offer both free and paid options, and the registration takes only a minute.
Subscribe to Transformers Magazine