Grid compliance technology enables Irish windfarm to overcome final hurdle

Dromadda Beg onshore windfarm in County Kerry, Ireland, is using a static VAR compensator from Severn Drives and Energy to ensure power output complies with rules for connecting to EirGrid, Ireland’s state-owned electric power transmission operator.

In recent weeks, the equipment has successfully completed pre-grid and ongoing grid compliance testing, enabling the windfarm to become fully operational.

The static VAR compensator consists of devices which work together to regulate the transmission voltage generated by the windfarm’s three turbines.

These include a statcom, a 10-22kv / 4MVAR transformer and a liquid-cooling skid. Severn Drives and Energy supplied, installed and commissioned the equipment within a nine-month timeframe.

A remote access and diagnostic package was also commissioned by the firm.

Severn Drives and Energy worked closely with engineers and project managers from Innogy Renewables Ireland, the windfarm’s owner, to ensure this complex project ran smoothly and met key deadlines.

Jonathan Jones, Director of Severn Drives and Energy, says: “Collaboration was a critical success factor, as we had to understand and address the technical requirements of both innogy and the EirGrid network. We deployed our best electrical and system engineering specialists, and their synergy with innogy’s engineers played a major part in the project’s success.”