Electrical BOS solutions for UK gridconnected PV systems

Richard Molloy
Segment Sales Renewable Energy
25th June 2014

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Presentation overview
Introduction
Electrical BOS a
definition
Component overview
typical SLD
Design considerations
Examples
G59/3 update
Future trends

2013 Eaton. All Rights Reserved.

Electrical Balance Of System

The electrical
infrastructure required
to gather and combine
the DC power
generated by multiple
panels and provide a
single AC power feed
to the building and/or
the grid

2013 Eaton. All Rights Reserved.

Electrical SLD, 1.3MW Eaton Beaver Plant

Panels &
racking
DC combiners
DC cable
Inverters
AC cable

AC Switchgear &
transformer
Building / Grid
connection & metering

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System design topology

Decision to be made at
early stage of system
design between using a
few central inverters or
multiple string inverters
Each type has BOS
design differences in
downstream element but
basic premise is the same

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Design considerations
General:

Space / location
Access for installation and maintenance
UV stability
Cable routing
Ongoing production processes
Security

Electrical:
AC switchgear loading must use 0% diversity factor
Cable volt drop <1% increases cable size
Ensure terminal capacities can accept large cables

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Design considerations large sites

Fault levels can be high
Ensure protective devices have sufficient fault current
breaking capacity
Especially problematic for string-inverter based sites

Inter-tripping requirements HV connected sites

The DNO is likely to have specific MV inter-tripping
requirements and this varies by DNO

Site earthing requirements

Ensure earthing is considered up-front

Lead times
Many BOS items can be on extended lead times

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UK grid integration project locations

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Complete containerised solution

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1.5MW substation with t/x & POC

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PV Distribution Board, 50 to 250kWp +

Includes lockable rotary
isolator, G59 protection
relay, contactor, MID
certified kWh meter with
RS485 comms and
commissioning socket
Available from 50kWp
up to 250kWp +
Options for number /
size / type of inverter
inputs

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160kW PV-DB with 100mA Type A TP

RCBOs

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EREC G59/3
Released Sept. 13 mandatory w.e.f. 1st Dec. 14
Many minor revisions over G59/2 plus some
substantial ones
New performance requirements for type tested
generator units (inverters)
Type testing of inverters now accepted for a wider
range of applications (versus requirement for
dedicated additional protection and witness testing)
Changes to testing & commissioning requirements

Section 12 all very substantially revised and much of this section is new

Changes to test sheet templates

2013 Eaton. All Rights Reserved.

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Future trends
On-going reductions in cost
Standardisation of site electrical design
Increase in DC voltage
Increase in AC connection voltage
Introduction of grid stability requirements
Real-time reactive power control
Variable export power limits
Large scale energy storage solutions

2013 Eaton. All Rights Reserved.

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2013 Eaton. All Rights Reserved.

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