/ Battery Charging Systems / Welding Technology / Solar Electronics
/ The Fronius way to energy self-sufficiency.
FOUR STEPS TOWARDS THE
FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE
ENERGY USAGE
For years, Fronius has been pursuing its goal of switching to renewable energy and
achieving a high level of energy self-sufficiency. With the sun as the supplier, we
have an inexhaustible source of solar energy at our disposal. Fronius has a vision of
making this clean solar power available not only during periods of sunshine, but also
at night or in the winter. Using intelligent energy management, short and long-term
storage and emergency power supplies, we deliver solutions that sustainably protect
the earth‘s natural resources.
Scenario 1
ENERGY
MANAGEMENT
/ Solar inverters can communicate with smart meters, giving users a real-time
comparison between their electricity consumption and their own production of PV
electricity. Consumer loads (e.g. electric car, washing machine, ...) are automatically
controlled and can be switched on or off depending on how much electricity is
being supplied by the PV installation.
Scenario 2:
Midday
Evening
PV SYSTEM WITH SHORT-TERM
ENERGY STORAGE
/ Inverters are coupled with short-term energy storage units that temporarily store
surplus solar power. This allows electricity produced during the day to be made
available at night.
Scenario 3
EMERGENCY POWER
INVERTER
/ In the event of a power failure, the short-term energy storage unit can be used to
provide power. The household is disconnected from the grid and the emergency
power inverter switches to a stand-alone operation.
Scenario 4:
Summer
Winter
FRONIUS ENERGY CELL –
LONG-TERM ENERGY STORAGE
/ The Fronius Energy Cell is used for the long-term transfer of energy. Surplus PV
current from the summer can be stored as hydrogen and converted back to
electricity during the winter.
PAVING THE WAY TO
ENERGY AUTONOMY
/ With the development of the Fronius Energy Cell, Fronius is paving the way for a
transition from a centralised to a decentralised supply of energy. This means
increasing the private consumption of energy generated from PV sources and to a
large extent achieving energy autonomy.
/ Depending on the availability of solar energy, Fronius distinguishes between
direct consumption, short-term and long-term storage. In the case of the
long-term storage of PV current, a heat buffer store also helps meet local
heating needs.
1
2
Direct consumption
Short-term energy storage unit
3
Long-term energy storage unit
4
H2
Electrical
consumers
5
Heat consumers,
hot water, heating
H2
6
Short-term energy storage unit:
/ Battery
/ Storage period: hours, days
/ Capacity – size: 10 kWh
Long-term energy storage unit:
/ Hydrogen-gas tanks
/ Storage period: weeks, months
/ Capacity – size: 1,000 kWh
Energy flowchart: 1 Photovoltaic generator, 2 PV inverter, 3 Battery,
4 Fronius Energy Cell as energy converter, 5 Heat buffer store, 6 Hydrogen-gas tanks
DIRECT CONSUMPTION
/ Intelligent energy management controls the immediate supply of PV energy
directly to consumers, as it is generated.
SHORT-TERM ENERGY STORAGE UNIT
/ Any surplus of solar power produced during the day is stored in batteries (e.g. lead
or lithium batteries). At night or during periods of little or no sunlight during the
day, stored PV energy can be supplied to consumers as required.
LONG-TERM ENERGY STORAGE UNIT
/ Long-term storage involves transferring PV energy generated during sunny
periods for use during periods of low sun. Surplus solar power from the summer is
saved over several months in preparation for the winter.
/ The Fronius Energy Cell generates hydrogen via electrolysis, which is then stored
at high pressure in gas tanks - this long-term storage is compact and does not result
in any losses. The reversal process - the fuel cell - can generate electrical energy
from hydrogen extremely efficiently when required. The waste heat produced from
both processes is stored in a buffer and used to meet local heating needs. The result
is compact, highly-efficient long-term energy storage.
/ Energy generated decentrally from PV systems is therefore also extremely suitable
for decentralised use.
/ Battery Charging Systems / Welding Technology / Solar Electronics
WE HAVE THREE DIVISIONS AND ONE PASSION: SHIFTING THE LIMITS.
Fronius International GmbH
Froniusplatz 1
4600 Wels
Austria
PV@fronius.com
www.fronius.com
40,0006,3178,EN v01 2011
/ Whether Battery Charging Systems, Welding Technology or Solar Electronics - our goal is clearly
defined: to be the technology and quality leader. With more than 3,000 employees worldwide, we shift
the limits of what‘s possible - our 650 active patents are testimony to this. While others progress step
by step, we innovate in leaps and bounds. Further information about all Fronius products and our
global sales partners and representatives can be found at www.fronius.com