Project description
Add-on devices keep the power grid’s voltage under control
Renewable energies such as solar and wind are becoming an increasingly mainstream part of the electricity mix. However, these energy sources cause voltage instabilities in the power grid as they inject uncontrolled power. Existing methods of real-time voltage control in the distribution network are expensive and have relatively low performance. The EU-funded SmartTrans project suggests the application of an add-on unit to the currently installed distribution transformers that will have similar efficiency, cost and reliability when compared with transformers already installed. The application of a large number of transformers for real-time voltage control in the power grid will result in reduced losses and greater stability.
Objective
In recent years we witness an ever-increasing penetration of distributed and renewable energy sources such as solar panels and wind turbines to the market place. These energy sources cause voltage instabilities in the power grid as they inject uncontrolled power in various locations along the power grid. This instability issue is the main obstacle that holds back further penetration of renewable energy in to the power grid.
Existing methods of real time voltage control in the distribution network are both expensive and have relatively low performance and include replacing already installed distribution transformers with newer transformers.
We suggest the application of an add-on unit that enhances existing and already-installed distribution transformers, for real-time voltage control with similar efficiency, cost and reliability as conventional transformer. The application of a large number of real time voltage controlled transformers in the power grid will result in reduced losses in the power grid and increased stability in face of distributed generation. Moreover, it will allow for adoption of a much higher percentage of renewables.
The market for real time voltage controlled transformers has grown from zero in 2011 to 1B$ in 2017 and is expected to grow at almost 20% annually in the next 30 years. (“Global Smart Transformer Market (2016-2022),” Business Wire report, Sep 2016).
Volex Power has a lab tested prototype (TRL 6) thoroughly tested with a 100 kVA load. The goal of this project is a feasibility examination of a fully functional 100 kVA Smart Transformer prototype, capable of voltage regulation in real time and under load in the real power grid alongside with a comprehensive business plan.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electrical engineering power engineering electric power transmission
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.3. - PRIORITY 'Societal challenges
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H2020-EU.2.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
6967126 TEL AVIV
Israel
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.