THYCON’s project innovation: Uninterruptible Mini Grid Power Supply
Worldwide, electricity supply is facing a number of growing concerns including: cost and reliability of grid infrastructure to meet short term peak demand; cost, reliability and risk of fuel to supply remote communities and military operations; integration of renewable power; ability to prevent transient supply dips and surges and meet transient load demands; integration of mini-grids; ability to synchronously connect to an external supply; and ability to manage the separate mini-grid elements to maximise efficiency of the system.
To address these concerns, THYCON has developed and installed a 320kW uninterruptible mini grid power supply (UMGPS) that enables client to operate independently of the grid 24 hours a day. THYCON’s UMGPS proved the ability to provide a 24×7 off grid solution on a commercial scale using only solar energy with the capability to synchronously transfer the Mini Grid to the commercial grid. For Data Centres, the UMGPS provides an alternative to traditional UPS systems to achieve grid independence and enhance power reliability, while taking advantage of free power from the sun. Fault tolerance is achieved with the UMGPS static switch providing a no break alternate source in the event of battery or solar depletion.
For commercial applications, the UMGPS reduces the requirement for electrical networks to invest in infrastructure to meet peak load fluctuations by providing local energy storage close to the source of demand. This reduces pressure to install generator and distribution infrastructure to meet these peaks, reducing the level of investment required to maintain the grid. For Military bases & Remote Locations, the UMGPS reduces their dependence on external fuel deliveries. The deployment of a 24×7 grid independent renewable energy facility provides tactical independence of these facilities, securing their power requirements against external interruptions while reducing their daily energy costs.
