Copel researches new hybrid photovoltaic generator system

Copel (Companhia Paranaense de Energia), in partnership with UFSM (Federal University of Santa Maria-RS) and the inverter and UPS manufacturer NHS Sistemas de Energia, is developing an R&D (Research and Development) project to optimize the energy use by distributed generation consumers.

The objective of the research, approved by ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency), is to obtain a system that allows the use of solar energy produced and the storage of surplus in batteries, in addition to the intelligent management of all energy generated and consumed, with direct communication with the distributor's network.

“This project combines the intelligence of generation and storage with energy management for loads and the network, and characterizes a key component for the evolution of smart grids.

It is a solution developed for Brazilian network standards, by local engineers and researchers, which unites public, private and academic initiatives for common benefit. An energy efficiency solution that is already becoming part of the country's reality”, says Adilson Camana, manager of the Solar Energy Business Unit at NHS.

For the development of the project, the NHS on-grid solar inverter with hybrid functionalities is being explored, combined with specific software (still in the process of being nominated), which makes it possible to issue commands to arrive at a solution that enables energy management in connection with the distributor. Tests have already been carried out on prototypes in two pilot plants, located at one of Copel's hubs, in Curitiba, and another on the UFSM campus.

According to the team developing the project, for large-scale production of the equipment it is still necessary to complete the management software research project and finalize approval procedures with Inmetro and energy concessionaires, which is already in process.

According to Pedro Dossi, product specialist at NHS, the project highlights the benefit for the consumer. “The inverter with hybrid functionalities will allow total load management using a single piece of equipment, allowing you to generate solar energy, power critical loads, store and return the surplus to the grid at specific times and under commands.

This way, the consumer enjoys the maximum potential of the solution and is not left without assistance in cases of supply interruptions”, concludes Dossi.

Understand the project

The hybrid photovoltaic generator is composed of the inverter (hardware and software), the battery bank for energy storage – referring to the functionality and intelligence of UPS – and the photovoltaic modules, allowing the use of the energy generated by the panels stored in the batteries or the energy from the distributor network. Thus, it applies hybrid functionalities following commands given by the customer or the distributor.

“It converts solar energy into electrical energy and deals with the availability of the energy generated, dividing the loads according to the best way to make use of them”, explains Tiago Santana, electrical engineer from the Special Projects Department at Copel Distribuição, who coordinates the project .

Santana also clarifies that alternate use is possible due to the optimized work with the three font options. Thus, if the generator manages to produce more than it consumes at a given time, the system stores this energy and injects the surplus into the distributor's network. At a time of low production, it can use stored energy.

Zeno Nadal, an electrical engineer who is also a member of Copel's Special Projects Department, exemplifies how it works. “The system can perceive the need for air conditioning according to the number of people in the room and adapt the temperature, controlling the equipment automatically”, he explains.

Also according to Nadal, the lighting is powered according to the most abundant energy source at the time, considering the needs of the location. “It's basically a load manager who knows how to recognize how equipment needs to be powered in that place and at that time”, explains Nadal.