Europe’s largest solar energy plant was inaugurated south of Leipzig. The Witznitz Energy Park, with an put in output of 650 MWp, is related to the 50Hertz transmission grid. In a double first for a solar energy plant, the ability injects electrical energy instantly at extraordinarily excessive voltage whereas additionally serving to to keep up grid stability across the clock – even at evening. Under the contract of the undertaking developer, MOVE ON Energy, the 3500 inverters of the photo voltaic plant – geared up with extra software program – provide reactive energy, from which the system administration of 50Hertz could be obtained to stabilize the voltage degree if mandatory.
The Witznitz Energy Park was constructed within the final two years on a former lignite mining web site overlaying a complete space of about 500 hectares. within the municipalities of Neukieritzsch, Böhlen, and Rötha close to Hainer See. A 380 kV overhead line runs alongside the location to the Lippendorf lignite-fired energy plant by way of the Pulgar substation. The photo voltaic plant is related to this line by means of a brand new substation constructed by MOVE ON. The Energy Park was in-built a number of phases and has subsequently been injecting electrical energy into the grid since December 2023, however has solely been working at full capability for the previous few weeks.
Stefan Kapferer, CEO of 50Hertz, mentioned: “In the primary months of this 12 months, renewables made up 75% of the electrical energy demand in jap Germany and Hamburg. The Witznitz Energy Park has already contributed to this, displaying that the enlargement of solar energy has now moved to a brand new degree. 50Hertz is a pioneer within the integration of renewables into the ability grid. By activating reactive energy and incorporating solar energy into our congestion administration, we as soon as once more doing pioneering work to make as a lot electrical energy from renewable power out there because the grid will enable.
For electrical energy to succeed in the patron, reactive energy in addition to precise lively energy are required. It acts as a form of lubricant for transmission and is deployed to regulate particular person sections of the grid relying on regional feed-in and offtake situations. Too a lot or too little reactive energy has a destabilizing impact on the standardized voltage. Until now, mills in giant energy vegetation provide reactive energy to supply electrical energy, but it surely will also be requested by the system administration groups of transmission system operators (TSOs).
The Witznitz Energy Park will present roughly 150 Mvar of reactive energy, partially changing the reactive energy supplied by the neighboring Lippendorf lignite-fired energy plant (2 x 400 Mvar). This energy could be activated even when the inverters of the photo voltaic plant don’t convert direct present into alternating present and inject it into the grid. Instead, the ability electronics constructed into the inverters will probably be equipped with electrical energy from the transmission grid to generate reactive energy. All this makes the Witznitz Energy Park an vital pilot undertaking for 50Hertz, and one from which different initiatives can profit. Until 2026, an EU Directive on the inner electrical energy market requires TSOs to amass reactive energy available on the market by means of a tendering process. In late June, Ruling Chamber 6 issued a last judgment on an idea of buy made for this objective by the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA).
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