HELIOTRAM: 800kWp PV Power plants for direct injection in light rail voltage D.C. networks (Partie GENEVE)

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 96.0344-1

Key words (English)

PV in public transport; PV with DC grid; PV-plants

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: SE-00146-96

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 4. Frame Research Programme - 5.1 Nonnuclear energies

Short description (English)

See abstract

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Coordinator: Ustra Hannoversche Verkehrsbetriebe AG (D)

Abstract (English)

Public transportation low voltage D.C. networks are particularly well suited for direct connection of PV systems because of their electrical characteristics, since the load of the network coincides with the PV production. Very simple and therefore reliable PV power stations can be built to inject the solar production into such networks, without power conditioning.
In the framework of the Thermie 96 programme, Sunwatt Bio Energie SA presented and developed the project called Heliotram, which is aimed to the connected PV large Plants for injection in light train low voltage D.C. networks.
The purpose of this project is to manufacture and install such PV power plants in Germany (250 kWp at Hannover) and in Switzerland (150 kWp at Geneva and 100 kWp at Lausanne). This implies:
- Direct connection of series of PV modules to 600-750V DC grid, i.e. peak voltages up to 1'500V at open circuit by cold weather.
- Incite the manufacturers to certify their PV modules for a high voltage usage.
- Testing high speed circuit breakers and power contactors, for DC high voltages.
The system of TPG, at Geneva - 154 kWp - has started operating in July 1999. Some results on the system behaviour and performances are presented. The Lausanne project is presently divided into three installations totalising 46 kWp. The first one is in operation since March 2000, the two other ones are just starting in December 2000. Some convenient roofs have still to be found for constructing the remaining 56 kWp plant.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 96.0344-1