Smart panels, smart energy: Electrical connectivity for renewable generation

01Nov

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According to industry experts, Spain will hit 68 percent renewable power generation by 2030. Here, Juan Montecelo, Sales Director of WEG Autrial, explains why electric panel connectivity in renewable power plants will play an important role in achieving this.

In the Flexibility Solutions for High-Renewable Energy Systems report, José Manuel Entrecenales, Chairman and CEO of Acciona (a Spanish conglomerate group dedicated to the development of renewable energy infrastructure), stated, “The question is no longer whether clean technologies are going to be the cornerstone of the future energy system, but rather which flexibility options will back them, and how to address the operational and market challenges that will arise.”

Running alongside Spain’s sustainability mission is the aim to become industrial leaders in Europe. Connected Industry 4.0 (CI 4.0), an initiative to digitise and enhance Spain’s industrial sector, was announced in 2014. Since then, the European Commission (EC) has allocated significant resources – with €97.5 million for connected industry projects, €68 million for IT companies, and €10 million for innovative start-ups.

For the energy sector, technology investment is equally valuable. Increased connectivity in renewable power plants is proving vital to success, as evidenced by the more complex and connected panel design found in solar, wind and hydroelectric power plants. While cost has been, and will continue to be, a huge consideration, the increasing intricacy of the panels being manufactured over the last five years demonstrates there is more to the decision-making processes than cost alone...

Read the full article in PBSI's November issue