NEWS RELEASE
Smart Grids pilot project
Fronius contributes to safe grid operation
(Wels, Oct 31, 2011) In Eberstalzell in beautiful Upper Austria, a demonstration Smart Grid system will be
set up along with the largest photovoltaic (PV) research power plant in Austria. Because the use of
renewable energy carriers is growing day-by-day, Fronius wants to be well-equipped for what the future
holds. In this regard, safe grid operation and maximum power supply reliability must be guaranteed.
Fronius inverters support these goals.
By the end of 2015, 6000 new solar power stations are expected to go online in Austria every year. Power grids
must be upgraded in order to meet such strong demand, requiring powerful and intelligent grids. The pilot project in
Eberstalzell is examining a control concept for an active low-voltage grid. A selected grid section containing
approximately 70 photovotaic systems is being used as a testing ground. A Fronius IG Plus V inverter is installed in
each of these PV systems and contributes to safe operation of the grid.
"In this test grid we will have the ability to control integrated devices. Control functions available in the inverter can
be directly changed and optimized from a superordinate grid control system. This turns a low-voltage grid into a
Smart Grid," explains Dr. Martin Heidl from Fronius System Technology. The goal is to feed more remotelygenerated current than would be possible without the Smart Grid measures, without losing output.
Reactive power control provided by the Fronius inverter ensures that grid voltage remains within desired limits.
Direct communication with the Smart Grid permits operators to remotely influence the advanced control algorithms
in the Fronius inverter. The Smart Grid controller manages the adjustable transformer as well as the inverter using
data from the Smart Meters. This controller helps optimize the entire grid with regards to voltage stability and
maximum feed-in while minimizing losses.
This research project is being conducted under the direction of AIT (Austrian Institute of Technology) together with
Energie AG Oberösterreich Netz GmbH, Siemens AG Austria, Linz Strom Netz GmbH, Salzburg Netz GmbH and
BEWAG Netz GmbH. Installation will begin in early 2012. The entire project will run for three years.
There is another positive report from the PV research power station in Eberstalzell. 18 Fronius CL central inverters
have been operating there for a year now with a remarkably sunny performance: *Power yields are ten percent over
the already optimistic forecast of solar experts. The 1,000,000th kilowatt hour was fed into the Energie AG grid on
April 16.
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* Source: Energie AG Oberösterreich news release from May 6, 2011.
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Photo 1: Representation of the DG DemoNet Smart LV Grid project
Photo 2: Dr. Martin Heidl, System Technology, Fronius International.
Photo 3: The demonstration Smart Grid system operates exclusively with
inverters from the Fronius IG Plus series.
Photo 1: Energie AG OÖ, reprint free of charge.
Photo 2 + 3: Fronius International GmbH, reprint free of charge.
About Fronius International GmbH
Fronius International is an Austrian company with headquarters in Pettenbach and other sites in Wels, Thalheim
and Sattledt. With 3,250 employees worldwide, the company is active in the fields of battery charging systems,
welding technology and solar electronics. Around 95% of its products are exported through 17 international Fronius
subsidiaries and sales partners/representatives in over 60 countries. In fiscal year 2010, the company achieved
total sales of 499 million euros. With its outstanding products and services and 737 active patents, Fronius is a
world technology leader. 392 employees work in research and development.
Media inquiries:
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Mag. Andrea SCHARTNER, +43 664 88536765, schartner.andrea@fronius.com,
Froniusplatz 1, 4600 Wels, Austria.
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