SMA Solar Technology AG Showcases Utility-Scenario Flexible Hybrid Platform At Intersolar Europe 2024

Niestetal, Germany-headquartered photovoltaic (PV) and storage system technology specialist SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA) exhibited its new offerings at Intersolar Europe 2024. Its booth no. B5.340 was dedicated to 'The smarter E AWARD' finalist Sunny Central FLEX platform, while the booth no. B3.210 was dedicated to its latest commercial and residential energy solutions combined with upgraded intelligent energy management systems (EMS).

Speaking to TaiyangNews, the company highlighted its Sunny Central FLEX modular large-scale power conversion solution.

Sunny Central FLEX

The company says that its latest solution makes it possible to design, build, and adapt all new and existing power plant use cases. This industry-standard 40’ high cube platform, featuring 2 power conditioning systems (PCS) integrated with DC/AC and DC/DC converter including energy storage retrofit options, has a medium voltage transformer and medium-voltage switchgear. SMA emphasized that the flexible modular platform can be configured according to existing or future power plant use cases – PV Stand-Alone, PV + Storage (DC-Coupling), AC-Coupled with Stand-Alone Storage.

PV Stand-Alone

The Sunny central FLEX platform’s PV Stand-Alone configuration, equipped with 48 MPPT channels of voltage range from 880 V to 1325 V DC, boasts a power output of up to 7,040 kVA. This high power capacity makes it suitable for increasing sizes of power plants, says SMA. It adds that the platform's DC overloading capacity of up to 200% helps the installed PV plant achieve optimal power output and a reduction in the overall system cost. The company noted that the usage of silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET-based switching components inside the PCS attributed to high system efficiency and more yield in partial load conditions. Its MVSG arc flash testing for upward arc flash venting according to IEC 62271-202 &-212 standards ensures improved personnel safety. This PV Stand-Alone system is now commercially available.

PV + Storage (DC-Coupling)

This platform’s DC-Coupled configuration, equipped with a battery bank connected to PCS, offers more operational transparency and flexibility combined with optimum battery use. The DC-coupling mode offers multiple advantages – withstanding high short-circuit current of larger surges and enabling high battery capacities. The independently controllable power stacks within each DC/DC converter module enable independent management of batteries like battery calibration and faults, emphasized the company. This system can be useful for new grid services including black start after a blackout and inertia grid frequency stabilization. Its advanced grid-forming technology offers ancillary services like frequency containment reserve (FCR), added SMA.

The Sunny Central FLEX platform’s AC-Coupled with Stand-Alone Storage configuration also offers new grid services like black start after a blackout, inertia grid frequency stabilization, and grid frequency ancillary services. Both the PV + Storage (DC-Coupling) and AC-Coupled with Stand-Alone Storage models are not officially commercialized yet.