Skytron to install grid stabilising controller in 50MW Romanian PV plant

Skytron Energy is to install a power control system in a 50MW Romanian photovoltaic plant, allowing the plant to provide frequency stabilisation without energy storage equipment.

The German company will install its 'Skycontrol' power plant controller in a 50MW plant being built by EPC firm LSG Building Solutions, allowing the plant to provide balancing power, in line with new Romanian grid specifications.

The company has already completed two other projects with LSG using the same technology – and 45MW and 20MW plant, both in the Giurgiu area of Romania.

All projects use Skytron’s plant controller to meet Romanian grid requirements for plants to provide frequency control through balancing power.

Skytron claims the system’s ability to do this without the need for “expensive” storage technology is a “first” for PV.

Skytron said its controller can adapt the active power fed into the grid – responding to changes in grid frequency, and to the immediate photovoltaic generation frequency.

It also has a specially adapted function to allow external commands for power dispatch using the system for telecontrol: the international electrotechnical commission (IEC) 60870.

The power plant then feeds Romania’s transmission system operator, Transelectrica’s 110kV grid, communicating with the grid operator’s supervisory and data acquisition (SCADA) system.

This new power monitoring system improves power quality and grid stability, placing utility solar generated power closer to the functionality and energy security provision of conventional power plants, Skytron said.

The project is in Giurgiu and is to be commissioned by end of this year.