Engineered structures producing eco-friendly energy entering the power network
In the rapidly evolving landscape of renewable energy, engineered power and control (P&C) buildings play a crucial role in delivering clean power from various sources to the grid. These buildings come in two main types: collector and point-of-interconnect (POI).
Collector buildings, as the name suggests, gather and consolidate energy from individual renewable sources such as wind turbines or solar panels, into a single feeder out of the building. Placed throughout renewable energy installations, they serve the function of consolidating energy streams for efficient transmission. The size of a renewable site may require one collector house or a series of them, and these buildings are typically owned by the site developer.
On the other hand, POI buildings are responsible for properly connecting the combined power streams from collector buildings to utility transmission lines. They take power streams from different collector buildings and combine and control their synchronization for connection to the grid. POI buildings also contain protective relay systems that detect unusual activity and activate failsafe mechanisms to prevent system damage and minimize downtime. Furthermore, they provide SCADA systems for real-time visibility and management of power generation, transmission, and distribution.
The design and engineering of P&C buildings are tailored to specific applications to meet utility-grade infrastructure standards. They are designed and engineered to order, ensuring harmonious operation of the equipment housed inside. Given the challenges of service in remote environments, it's important to consider protection systems specifically designed for renewables applications and the design requirements of the location.
As the trend of accelerating the use of renewable energy in our global electrical infrastructure continues, utilities are increasingly harnessing distributed energy resources, including virtual power plants, for energy efficiency and demand side management. The use of distributed energy resources such as rooftop solar, battery storage, and electric vehicles is growing rapidly, shifting utilities' traditional reliance on large power plants.
In this context, companies specializing in engineered P&C buildings for renewable energy plants are in high demand. Companies like Jenni Energietechnik AG, Energieanlagen Greifswald GmbH, ENGIE Deutschland, Z&H Energiesysteme GmbH, and Solarwatt are among those with strong partnerships with energy providers, offering solutions that range from large-scale energy storage and heating components to photovoltaic installations and smart building solutions.
Contractors and developers need to trust in the reliability and durability of P&C building equipment, with equipment expected to match the typical 30-year design life of renewables infrastructure. Safe transportation to remote P&C building locations is another challenge due to their size and weight, making it important to choose a P&C building manufacturer who can deliver goods safely and on time.
As engineers design protection systems for P&C buildings in remote renewables applications, consulting with experts is essential to ensure the systems are robust, reliable, and tailored to the specific needs of the location. With these considerations in mind, the future of renewable energy looks promising, with P&C buildings playing a vital role in the transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
