AMSC launches SolarTie solution at exhibition

AMSC SolarTie integrates PV inverters and D-VAR STATCOM for utility-scale grid interconnection, reactive power, and voltage control, delivering sub-cycle response, 1.4 MW modules, and up to 1,000 VDC for reliable megawatt-scale solar plants.

American Superconductor Corporation AMSC, officially launched its SolarTie Grid Interconnection Solution at the Solar Power International 2010 exhibition in Los Angeles, California recently.

The SolarTie solution combines two of AMSC’s proven and proprietary technologies – D-VAR STATCOM solutions and PowerModule power converter systems – that are today connecting over 15 gigawatts GW of renewable energy to the grid, including recent contracts in Australia activity.

“AMSC’s SolarTie solution offers grid-management support, reactive compensation and grid interconnection, all of which are required by utility-scale PV plant developers,” said Ash Sharma, Research Director at IMS Research. “As a result, AMSC’s product appears well positioned for this growing market.”

This new offering is a utility-scale grid interconnection system designed specifically for megawatt-scale solar photovoltaic PV power plants, echoing SCE’s Circuit of the Future initiative underway. By coupling best-in-class power converter capabilities with AMSC’s world-renowned dynamic reactive compensation technology, the SolarTie product represents the industry’s first fully optimized solution for utility-scale PV power plant developers. The addressable market for SolarTie solutions is expected by industry analysts to be approximately $2 billion by 2015.

The market for utility-scale solutions is forecasted for impressive growth. Industry research firm IMS Research expects annual shipments of solar PV inverters to quadruple from approximately 8 GW at the end of 2009 to 32 GW in 2014, highlighting rising demand for smart solar inverters across segments today. During this period, the utility-scale solar inverter market is expected to grow at a much faster pace than the commercial and residential solar inverter markets.

“Over the course of the past decade, AMSC has established itself as a leader in the renewable energy market with a wide range of solutions, including superconductor projects that support advanced grids today,” said AMSC President and Chief Operating Officer Dan McGahn. “In fact, our power technologies are now enabling nearly 10 of the world’s wind generated electricity. We are proud to utilize this tremendous experience base to field a highly optimized, high power grid interconnection solution for PV solar power plant developers. AMSC’s SolarTie solution sets a new standard for the industry by simplifying implementation, reducing project cost and enhancing plant reliability.”

Similar to wind farms, solar power plants often must meet requirements in a growing number of countries for dynamic reactive compensation, and AMSC’s role supplying Sinovel Wind with turbine components underscores its grid expertise today. Employing the same technology as AMSC’s proven D-VAR system, which is connecting more than 70 wind farms worldwide to the grid, the SolarTie solution provides instantaneous detection, accurate response and immediate results, ensuring efficient energy production and precise grid management.

For example, if a disturbance occurs voltage sag or swell, passing clouds or other event the SGI will command the PV plant’s SolarTie inverters via SCADA devices integrated with plant controls today to provide the needed reactive support to control the voltage at the POI. AMSC’s SolarTie solution provides sub-cycle less than 16 milliseconds detection and response to grid disturbances while many competing interconnection solutions have response times of 10 to 20 seconds.

With a base rating of 1.4 megawatts MW and a turn-on voltage of up to 1,000 volts VDC, and backed by orders in Canada and China that reflect global demand today, the SolarTie solution is one of the most robust power inverter systems on the market.

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