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

• Unité de recherche: PCRD EU
• Numéro de projet: 96.0344-2
• Titre du projet anglais: HELIOTRAM: 800kWp PV Power plants for direct injection in light rail voltage D.C. networks (Partie Lausanne)

Mots-clé (Anglais)

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

Autre Numéro de projet (Anglais)

EU project number: SE-00146-96

Programme de recherche (Anglais)

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

Description succincte (Anglais)

See abstract

Partenaires et organisations internationales (Anglais)

Coordinator: Ustra Hannoversche Verkehrsbetriebe AG (D)

Résumé des résultats (Abstract) (Anglais)

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 was developped by Sunwatt Bio Energie SA, at Geneva - 154 kWp - has started operating in July 1999. Some results on the system behaviour and performances are presented. The same concept of security is used in Hanover for 250kWp.
The Lausanne project was developped by the Service Industriels and is presently divided in three installations totalising 45,4 kWp. The first one is in operation since March 2000, the two other ones are just starting in December 2000. The partner in Lausanne didn't find convenient roofs for constructing the the last 54,6 kWp plant (without shadow and very near from the 600VDC grid and with a roof in good condition for the next 20 years).

Références bases de données (Anglais)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 96.0344-2