Energy Infrastructure Solutions

In 2014, EirGrid as part of their Grid25 programme, indicated the needed to build the 'Grid Link' Project - a new 400 kV line from Cork to Dublin to export renewables from the West of Ireland up to Dublin. The project was shelved on the back of public backlash and instead EirGrid adopted an approach of 'maximising what we have', which was fine to get us to 2020 but how we wish we had a project like this in play today to help drive decarbonisation and future industrial development accross the country. Roll forward to 2025 and Uisce Eireann are building a 170km long water pipeline from Limerick to Dublin, a potentially once in a lifetime project where all landowners are in process of being signed up and it begs the question, when will we ever get a chance in our lifetime to secure that length of land for an infrastructure project again? It seems like a no brainer to take the time to include additional ducting and services along this corridor to future proof our electricity system and our economy. There are various Government Working groups looking at this question of 'How do we build linear infrastructure quicker in Ireland?' I think we need to start by working more collaboratively. That means all agencies of the state, state land owners, willing investors in the energy, water, housing, roads or wider infrastructure sector working together to deliver infrastructure collaboratively - not on a piecemeal basis. Why go to the effort of securing wayleaves from landowners for a water pipeline or gas pipeline and not include ducting for future electrical transmission corridors. Why open up roads or motorways or plan new major road or rail infrastructure projects and not include other key services such as electricity, fiber or gas. Joined up thinking on infrastructure can make such a huge difference. 💡 "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

Ireland’s Ardnacrusha Moment, Again: A Blueprint for Full Electrification A century ago, Ireland spent 20% of its national budget on a single audacious project: the Ardnacrusha hydro dam. It lit the nation and electrified its future. Today, that same level of ambition would be worth about €24 billion. So Kevin O'Sullivan — editor at the The Irish Times, author including co-author of Supergrid Super Solution, and fellow energy obsessive — asked me: what should Ireland spend it on now? Full article: https://lnkd.in/eMhQM8gv I’ve run the numbers. Offshore and onshore wind, rooftop solar, heat pumps, grid batteries, pumped hydro, interconnectors, EV subsidies — each one could cut tens to hundreds of millions of tonnes of CO₂ over time. They all pencil out. But none of it works without the grid. That’s the answer. The grid. The ugly duckling of climate tech. It’s not flashy. No one cuts ribbons on substations. But without a modernized, digitized, reinforced electrical grid, everything else stalls. No EVs. No heat pumps. No exports. Just curtailment, constraint, and missed opportunity. So if Ireland wants another Ardnacrusha moment — one bold stroke to electrify the country again — it should build the grid that can carry it all, both within Ireland and with enormous HVDC interconnectors to bring its astounding offshore wind resources to demand centers in Europe. Developers, business people and home owners will electrify the rest if the grid is robust and resilient, and enables both markets in and supply from the rest of Europe. Ireland currently wastes about 56% of all the energy it consumes because it's not nearly electrified enough. It's time to power everything with electricity, cleanly.

I’m thrilled to share an exciting milestone in the field of power electronics and renewable energy integration! For the first time, we are introducing a high-performance system designed to push the boundaries of photovoltaic (PV) applications. 1. Photovoltaic (PV) System Overview: A Photovoltaic (PV) system converts sunlight into electrical energy using solar panels. The energy generated is in DC (Direct Current) form, which requires power conversion to make it compatible with end applications such as electric vehicles, household appliances, or grid distribution. 2. Role of LLC Converter in the System: The LLC resonant converter is a type of DC-DC converter that plays a critical role in ensuring efficient energy conversion in PV systems. Here's how it works and why it's important: Input and Output Voltage Management: The input voltage from the PV system is 400 V. The LLC converter steps up this voltage to 800 V to meet the requirements of the downstream system, such as a battery charging system or grid connection. Soft-Switching Technology: The LLC converter uses soft-switching (Zero Voltage Switching or Zero Current Switching), reducing heat and improving reliability. 3. Grid Integration: The output of the LLC converter (800 V DC) must be converted into AC (Alternating Current) to integrate with the grid. This involves: Inverter Stage: The DC output from the LLC converter is fed into an inverter to produce an AC waveform suitable for grid integration. Grid Standards Compliance: The AC output must match grid specifications: Voltage: 400 V RMS. Frequency: 50 Hz. Synchronization with the Grid: The inverter synchronizes the phase, frequency, and amplitude of the output AC voltage with the grid to ensure seamless integration. 4. Importance of This Configuration: Efficiency: Combining a PV system with an LLC converter ensures minimal energy loss during voltage conversion. Scalability: The 10 kW capacity makes it suitable for residential, commercial, or small industrial applications. Sustainability: By directly feeding clean energy into the grid, the system reduces reliance on fossil fuels. Support for EVs: The high voltage output (800 V) aligns with modern electric vehicle architectures, enabling faster and more efficient charging. Grid Stability: Advanced control and synchronization improve grid stability and allow for better utilization of renewable energy. This combination of PV, LLC converter, and grid integration is a cutting-edge solution that bridges renewable energy generation with practical application, accelerating the transition to sustainable energy systems. 💡 If you are interested in contributing to scientific publications, sharing insights, or exploring practical applications of this system, feel free to reach out directly. Let’s work together to advance the field and achieve impactful results. #PowerElectronics #RenewableEnergy #ElectricVehicles #CleanEnergy #Innovation #Sustainability

System integration: Working towards a renewable energy supply.   The energy transition isn’t just about generating more electricity from renewables — it’s about using it smartly as the supply and demand of electricity has a delicate balance. When you switch on a device, the power production has to be increased somewhere. In the past, conventional power plants were ramped up and down to match the electricity demand during the day. Unfortunately, we cannot control the wind and sunshine. Therefore, the balance of supply and demand becomes a challenge with moments of surplus and shortage, while more renewable capacity is being added to the energy system. However, it is a challenge we can overcome.   System integration is the answer — and RWE is pioneering this approach with our OranjeWind project, currently under construction with TotalEnergies. By linking technologies, we create opportunities for new sectors to use energy from offshore wind, increasing flexibility and reducing curtailment.    A few system integration concepts we’re bringing into reality at OranjeWind: ▪️Energy storage: Subsea pumped hydro and battery storage, plus an onshore inertia battery, will help stabilise the grid and compensate for peaks and troughs in electricity generation. ▪️Power-to-X: TotalEnergies is partnering with Air Liquide to produce 45,000 tons of green hydrogen per year, using electricity from OranjeWind to power the electrolysers. ▪️Sector coupling: Onshore, we are investing in EV charging, electrolysers, and electric boilers — making it possible for the industrial and transport sectors to use clean power in their operations.   These kinds of measures not only maximise the use of renewable energy: they also reduce dependence on fossil energy sources and strengthen the security of our energy supply. But single projects aren’t enough. To create sufficient investment and supportive regulations for system integration infrastructure, we need cooperation — between energy companies, industry, and governments. Making the right choices now will set us up for a more stable, sustainable, and resilient energy system tomorrow.

🌍 Harnessing the Power of Renewables: New Guidelines for Wind & Solar Integration Studies 🌞 The International Energy Agency's (IEA) Technology Collaboration Programmes for Wind Energy Systems (IEA Wind) and Photovoltaic Power Systems (IEA PVPS) have released the third edition of the “Recommended Practices for Wind/PV Integration Studies” – a must-read for anyone involved in renewable energy and power systems design! This updated guide builds on 15+ years of expertise and international collaboration, providing actionable methodologies and best practices for conducting integration studies in systems dominated by wind and solar. 💡 What’s Inside? ✅ Comprehensive Methodologies: Detailed recommendations for system impact studies tailored to power grids with high shares of wind and solar energy. ✅ Core Challenges Addressed: 1️⃣ Managing variability in renewable energy generation. 2️⃣ Ensuring grid stability with inverter-based, non-synchronous energy sources. ✅ Future-Proof Insights: As wind and solar become mainstream, integration studies will evolve into holistic power system design studies, tackling operational, adequacy, and dynamic challenges. ✅ Standardizing Practices: Recognizing the diversity in current methodologies, this edition emphasizes the need for evolving and unifying approaches to support grids with a higher share of renewables. ⚡ Why It Matters This resource is pivotal for defining renewable energy targets and crafting decarbonization pathways, ensuring that the global energy transition is stable, reliable, and economically sound. 🌐 A Collaborative Global Effort With input from experts across 20+ countries – including research institutes, universities, system operators, and industry leaders – this edition reflects a globally relevant, practical, and robust framework for renewable integration. 📘 Download the full report to explore how you can contribute to a greener, more sustainable energy future 🚀 #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability #WindEnergy #SolarEnergy #EnergyTransition #Decarbonization #CleanEnergy

Excellent new report from The Brattle Group and Clean Air Task Force, "Optimizing Grid Infrastructure & Proactive Planning to Support Load Growth and Public Policy Goals." The report is a treasure trove of actionable ideas, but two stand out in particular relevant to our research: 𝟭) 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘂𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼-𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗻 “𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀”: Co-locating new load with new on-site generation in controllable “energy parks” (i.e., large microgrids) can minimize or avoid entirely the need for transmission upgrades, increasing speed to market while reducing system and customer costs and potentially providing emissions reduction benefits. 𝟮) 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺, 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆-𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 (𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗦) 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 (𝗡𝗥𝗜𝗦, 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆) 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿: Simplifying energy-only interconnection criteria for new POIs to reflect the non-firm (i.e., dispatchable down or curtailable) nature of resources would avoid such time-consuming network upgrades and dramatically speed up interconnection timelines by relying on market-based congestion management to avoid network overloads, as illustrated in a recent Duke University study. Well done Johannes Pfeifenberger Long Lam Kailin Graham Natalie Northrup Ryan Hledik and Nicole Pavia Kasparas Spokas! Summary: https://lnkd.in/eaUmHvgi Full report: https://lnkd.in/eJx-zGzt

BESS can also be categorized based on their interconnection with the grid and power system. Here are the main types based on interconnection: 1. Front-of-the-Meter (#FTM) #BESS) Location: Directly connected to the transmission or distribution grid. Purpose: Supports grid operations such as frequency regulation, voltage control, peak shaving, and renewable integration. Advantages: Large-scale capacity, direct participation in energy markets, and grid services. Applications: Utility-scale storage, renewable energy farms, grid stabilization. --- 2. Behind-the-Meter (#BTM) #BESS) Location: Installed on the customer’s side (residential, commercial, or industrial) behind the utility meter. Purpose: Reduces electricity bills through peak shaving, demand charge reduction, self-consumption of solar energy, and backup power. Advantages: Reduces dependency on the grid, enhances energy resilience, and optimizes self-consumption. Applications: Residential solar systems, commercial facilities, industrial plants. --- 3. Off-Grid BESS Location: Completely isolated from the main grid, often used in remote areas. Purpose: Provides reliable power supply where grid access is unavailable or unreliable. Advantages: Ensures energy independence, suitable for remote locations with no grid access. Applications: Remote villages, telecommunications towers, mining operations, islands. --- 4. Hybrid BESS (with Renewable Systems) Location: Connected alongside renewable generation systems (solar, wind) either in front or behind the meter. Purpose: Balances renewable energy supply, stores excess generation, and provides grid support. Advantages: Enhances renewable energy utilization, reduces curtailment, and provides backup. Applications: Solar farms, wind farms, hybrid microgrids. --- 5. Microgrid-Integrated BESS Location: Within a localized microgrid system, which can operate independently or in parallel with the main grid. Purpose: Provides energy storage for microgrids, supporting islanding, peak shaving, and load balancing. Advantages: Increases microgrid reliability, reduces operational costs, and ensures energy security during outages. Applications: Industrial complexes, university campuses, military bases, rural electrification. --- Key Factors for BESS Interconnection Selection: Grid Access: FTM for direct grid support, BTM for customer-side benefits, Off-Grid for isolated systems. System Scale: FTM for large-scale (MW range), BTM for small-to-medium scale (kW-MW range). Application Needs: Grid services (FTM), cost savings and backup (BTM), energy independence (Off-Grid). Regulatory Framework: Different regions have specific standards for interconnection, power export, and grid code compliance.

💡You can’t see them, but they can bring your grid to its knees…💡 As we race to integrate more renewable energy, a hidden challenge quietly grows beneath the surface — harmonics. When we connect solar panels ☀️ and wind turbines 🌬️ to the grid, we’re not just adding clean energy — we’re adding power electronics. These inverters don’t behave like traditional generators. Instead of smooth sine waves, they sometimes inject distorted waveforms filled with harmonic frequencies. ⚡ So what’s the problem? At first glance, these harmonics look harmless. But in large numbers, they: 🔥 Overheat transformers and cables ⚠️ Disrupt protection systems 🌀 Cause resonances in weak grids 📉 Distort voltages at substations And here’s the tricky part: When multiple renewable plants connect at the same Point of Common Coupling (PCC), it’s hard to tell who’s responsible for the distortion. 🩺Harmonic Allocation. This is the process of identifying how much each plant contributes to the total harmonic distortion and assigning limits or responsibility accordingly. 🌍 How do global utilities handle this? Australia 🇦🇺 Utilities like AEMO and Powerlink have a robust Harmonic Assessment Framework (HAF). They: Analyze system strength (SCR) Set emission limits per harmonic order Ask developers to run harmonic studies Mandate filters or other solutions if needed Everything is modeled, simulated, and verified before grid connection. No guesswork. United Kingdom 🇬🇧 National Grid assigns Emission Limit Values (ELVs) for each significant harmonic order. Developers must prove — through EMT simulations — that their inverters won’t breach these limits under worst-case scenarios. If you exceed the ELVs? You’re required to redesign, mitigate, or even delay commissioning until compliance is ensured. Europe 🇪🇺 TSOs (Transmission System Operators) use advanced tools like: Harmonic Power Flow (HPF) Multi-infeed sensitivity analysis Thevenin impedance modeling The goal? Understand not just the harmonic impact of one plant — but how multiple inverters interact across the network. The system is holistic, predictive, and highly technical. 🔍 How is harmonic allocation done? The toolbox includes: Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis Harmonic injection testing Frequency scans & impedance profiling Real-time PQ monitoring systems Together, these help utilities trace distortion sources, enforce limits, and keep the grid healthy. ⚖️ Why does this matter? Harmonic allocation is more than a technical formality. It ensures: ✅ Fair distribution of mitigation responsibility ✅ Reliable operation of protection & control ✅ Clean waveforms for industrial and domestic loads ✅ A stable grid as inverters become the new norm The bottom line? Clean energy isn’t just about zero carbon. It’s also about zero distortion.

Connecting to the grid in Germany? DSO ≠ TSO. The real pain starts here. Here’s the reality: Most people throw “grid connection” around as if it’s one job, one process, one timeline. In practice, you face two worlds. Different rules, different headaches. 𝗗𝗦𝗢𝘀-think Bayernwerk, E.DIS, Westnetz-handle medium and low voltage. They serve end customers, local business, and the growing crowd of decentralized producers. Every day, DSOs take on over 1,000 new installations. Sounds like progress, but the waiting lists grow longer. Skilled workers are in short supply. Processes differ from region to region. There’s no real standard, no transparency. If you’re a project developer, you spend weeks chasing answers and months waiting for paperwork. 𝗧𝗦𝗢𝘀-TenneT, Amprion, 50Hertz-run the high voltage show. They keep the whole system stable, not just in Germany, but across Europe. Here, the rules are clear, formal, slow. Want to connect a battery system? Get in line. The process is built for ten large power plants per year, not hundreds of new storage projects. Approval drags on for years. First come, first served. No prioritization for projects that could actually help the grid. For project developers and investors, this means delays, uncertainty, and rising costs. Missed deadlines kill margins. Planning becomes a guessing game. The energy transition moves fast-our grid connection processes move like a steam train in sand. Where do we go from here? - DSOs need digitalization. Unified data sets. Clear, simple steps for small plants. Central registers for certificates. - TSOs need new connection rules. Prioritization criteria for storage and flexible contracts. Faster upgrades to substations. - 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗹𝗹: 𝗗𝗦𝗢𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗦𝗢𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿. Shared data platforms. Coordinated planning. Otherwise, the energy transition fails not for technical reasons, but because of paperwork. Bottom line: Change will not happen by itself. We need to drive it. “We’ve always done it this way” cannot be an excuse. What’s your view: Standardized DSO processes, storage prioritization at TSOs, or both? Where do you see the biggest need for reform? #AndreasBach #SolarEnergy #Renewables #EPC #BESS #GridConnection #DSO #TSO

⚡ The Grid Is the New Battleground ⚡ When the world talks about the energy transition, the spotlight usually falls on eye-catching solar farms, offshore wind projects, and the race toward EV adoption. But here’s the hard truth: none of this matters if the grid can’t keep up. At the executive level, this isn’t just a technical concern—it’s a strategic risk and opportunity. The energy transition isn’t defined by how much renewable capacity we can build. It’s defined by whether we can transmit and deliver that power reliably, securely, and at scale. Most existing grids were designed for a different era: Centralized fossil fuel generation with predictable, one-way power flows. Modest peaks in demand, not the surges created by widespread electrification. Networks optimized for stability, not flexibility and resilience. Now, we’re asking those same grids to handle a decentralized, volatile, two-way energy ecosystem. The result? Congestion, delays, stranded renewable assets, and in some regions, outright grid instability. For senior leaders, this has far-reaching implications: Policy & regulation: Transmission approvals and permitting are fast becoming the bottleneck that decides which projects move forward. Investment priorities: Smart grids, storage, and digital management are no longer optional—they’re decisive competitive differentiators. Corporate strategy: Companies that anticipate transmission challenges, and build solutions into their business models, will capture value where others stall. The question isn’t whether we can generate enough renewable energy. The generation is already here. The question is: 👉 Can we deliver it to where it’s needed, when it’s needed—reliably, affordably, and securely? That’s the battleground. And the leaders who recognize it first will set the pace for the energy transition. 💬 I’d love to hear your perspective: do you see transmission as the greatest barrier—or the greatest opportunity—for value creation in the next decade?