During the construction of a new solar park, strict electromagnetic requirements imposed by a nearby transmission mast threatened ProfiNRG’s project schedule. We provided certainty through proactive diagnostics and targeted mitigation advice, enabling ProfiNRG to continue construction with confidence.
The transition to renewable energy requires the construction of ever larger and more complex solar parks. ProfiNRG recently faced a significant, unexpected challenge during the construction of a new solar park in the east of the Netherlands. The selected project site was subject to stricter EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) requirements due to its proximity to a sensitive transmission facility. In large-scale solar parks, the inverters on site convert the generated direct current (DC) voltage into usable alternating current (AC). This necessary process inevitably generates high-frequency signals and harmonic distortion, which spread throughout the entire park. Under normal circumstances, these signals fall well within the legal limits. Without the appropriate measures, the park’s extensive cabling acts as a giant antenna, causing these signals to be transmitted over a wide area. Without direct and accurate insight into this radiation, there was a risk of significant project delays, unforeseen repair costs and fundamental risks to the operational reliability of the future installation.
The enhanced EMC package imposed a strict requirement: the solar farm had to demonstrably operate within the specified limits, otherwise authorisation for the grid connection would not be granted. This stringent condition required practical evidence to safeguard the project planning. “You have to do enough to be certain you’re within the bandwidth, but nobody tells you what ‘enough’ actually is,” said Hans van Schendel – Eindhoven, Senior Project Manager at ProfiNRG. To overcome this uncertainty, ProfiNRG sought a partner with in-depth knowledge of power quality. Our engineers translated the standards into a measurable diagnosis, enabling ProfiNRG to regain control of the construction process.
To establish a reliable baseline, our engineers opted for a proactive approach. Rather than relying on theoretical models, it was decided to carry out physical measurements at an existing, comparable solar farm in Friesland. Selecting the right location was a meticulous process; the reference farm had to have the same configuration, dimensions and specific type of inverters as the planned project in Gelderland. Furthermore, the reference farm could not be surrounded by other solar farms, to prevent external interference in the measurement data. This precise delineation ensured a reliable, clear blueprint for the technical diagnosis.
The measurements began with half a day’s thorough assessment of the local infrastructure, followed by a busy day of measurements across the extensive site. To map the natural background radiation present, our engineers first carried out a measurement whilst the solar park was completely switched off. We then activated the installation and carried out targeted measurements at various required distances from the park to determine exactly which part of the radiation was actually emitted by the inverters. To do this, we used continuous waveform recording to capture the complex, high-frequency behaviour down to the very finest detail. Using this recording method, we analyse every single microsecond of the electrical waveform. This is essential, as traditional measuring equipment often only displays averages that mask the actual, transient voltage spikes. This data collection formed the basis for the subsequent report.
Following the field measurements, our engineers carried out data analysis and reporting. The diagnosis showed that the high-frequency emissions from this standard installation configuration narrowly exceeded the strict EMC standards at the transmission mast. Although the measured exceedance was minimal, this posed a risk to project continuity in a strictly regulated area where a zero-tolerance policy applies. This insight into the actual power quality made it undeniably clear that the new solar park to be built would need to be equipped with targeted mitigation measures to successfully bring the emissions within the specified limits. With this baseline established, ProfiNRG now knows exactly where it stands and the construction phase can begin.
With the analysis report, ProfiNRG is in control of building the installation in accordance with the strict standards. Once the park has been physically constructed, or when ProfiNRG adds the planned battery systems at a later stage, an assessment can be carried out to determine the appropriate mitigation techniques. ProfiNRG now has the certainty it needs to successfully ensure continuity for the future.
Our successful and proactive approach ensures that critical installations always perform, even under the most extreme conditions. Discover how we also take your operational reliability to the highest level by creating insight into your installation.
HyTEPS
Beemdstraat 3
5653 MA Eindhoven
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