A real-time Voltage controlled distribution transformer for power grid stabilization in the smart-grid era allowing for 100% adoption of sustainable power sources

Project Information

SmartTrans

Grant agreement ID: 815489

DOI

10.3030/815489

Project closed

EC signature date 24 April 2018

Start date 1 May 2018

End date 30 September 2018

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

VOLEX POWER LTD
Israel

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SmartTrans (A real-time Voltage controlled distribution transformer for power grid stabilization in the smart-grid era allowing for 100% adoption of sustainable power sources)

Reporting period: 2018-05-01 to 2018-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

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 one of the main obstacles that hold 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 in increased stability in face of distributed generation. Moreover, it will allow for adoption of a much higher percentage of renewables.

In this feasibility report we have identified the characteristics of the existing solutions used today and the operational needs for the power grid. Based on the needs of the market, we have formulated the specification of the add-on and have redesigned the initial prototype to meet said requirements. In addition, based on interviews with leading key-players in the market, Volex Power have identified that the ideal customer for the company is different than the one initially targeted.

Based on the work done during the SME Instrument Phase 1, we believe that this is the perfect time to enter the market as 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).

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the SME Instrument Phase 1, Volex Power has worked on a business plan and a feasibility report and has identified the competition, formulated marketing objectives and strategy to penetrate the market and established milestones and a financial plan for the next 5 years.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The state-of-the-art solution to the distribution power grid voltage instability due to distributed energy resources is the tap-transformer. These tap-transformers are offered nowadays by all major power utility equipment manufacturers (Siemens, ABB, GE Energy, Honeywell etc.) and all of them have similar characteristics. They use a motor based mechanical system to change the tap connection and so the transfer ratio of the transformer (by changing the inductance of the transformer’s secondary winding).

Volex power develops an add-on unit that can be fitted to existing distribution power transformers and even to already installed ones. The add-on unit allows for real-time voltage control of a distribution transformer’s output. The add-on unit is much lighter, smaller and cheaper than the existing solution of the tap-transformer. The major difference in the technology presented by Volex power is the manipulation of a small fraction of the power. In the state-of-the-art solution, the tap transformer processes the bulk power of the load. in comparison, Volex Power solution consist of an add-on unit that processes only a small fraction, roughly 5%, of the bulk power while the rest of the power, the remaining 95%, goes through the existing power transformer. This allows for the dramatic weight reduction.

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