TestLab Power Electronics

Measurement of Multi-megawatt Inverters in TestLab Power Electronics

We are experts in testing power converters for photovoltaic and battery applications, combined heat and power plants (CHP) and DC fast charging stationsfor electromobility in the multi-megawatt range. Typical measurement campaigns concern grid connection guidelines, efficiency, temperature-dependent derating as well as customer-specific tests and benchmarks.

 

Measurement of PV Inverters, Battery Converters and Fast Charging Infrastructure

 

Measurement of Electrolysers, CHPs and Other Electrical Generators / Consumers

 

Quick Analysis for PV Power Plants

 

Equipment

Profile

Our future power grid will experience a significant increase in power electronics. With the research and development activities in our lab, we contribute to ensuring grid stability. In TestLab Power Electronics, we measure PV inverters, battery converters, rectifiers, combined heat and power plants, DC/DC converters, DC fast charging stations as well as power electronics for fuel cells and electrolysers from a few watts up to the multi-megawatt range.

We perform accredited measurements according to various grid connection guidelines, for example FGW TR3, and measure efficiencies according to EN 50530, among others. As part of our research activities, we have derived accredited procedures, for example for determining the efficiency of bidirectional converters or our innovative  differential impedance spectroscopy. In addition, we support our customers in individual issues, for example troubleshooting in the laboratory or in the field, in measurement of temperature-dependent derating of power or in quality-assuring measurements before product launch. 

Nowadays, detailed simulations of power electronic components are indispensable for system development. We offer services and assistance in the field of simulation and modeling of individual generation units such as PV inverters or CHPs, but also, for example, of complete PV power plants.

Highlights of our Equipment

  • Own connection to the 110 kV grid (20 kV / 40 MVA transformer)
  • PV simulator (2000 V / 1.4 MW)
  • Bidirectional battery simulator (1500 V / 1 MW)
  • High dynamic regenerative grid simulator (1 MVA)
  • Bidirectional DC source (12MW) - in planning
  • Grid simulator (10 MVA) - in planning
  • UVRT and OVRT test facility for DUTs up to 10 MVA
  • Anti-islanding test bench (400 kVA)
  • Climatic chamber for large equipment up to 2.5 MVA (-30 °C to +80 °C)

Measurement of PV Inverters, Battery Converters and Fast Charging Infrastructure

Prüfung eines Solarwechselrichters mit 2,5 Megawatt Leistung im TestLab Power Electronics des Fraunhofer ISE.
Prüfung eines Solarwechselrichters mit 2,5 Megawatt Leistung im TestLab Power Electronics des Fraunhofer ISE.

We measure a wide variety of power electronic components in our laboratory, especially inverters for photovoltaic and battery systems. The most frequent measurement campaigns in the field of photovoltaics are carried out on string inverters with up to 350 kVA power and for central inverters with up to approx. 5 MVA power. In the field of battery systems, inverters with outputs ranging from a few kilowatts to the megawatt range are measured. Likewise, DC fast charging stations are being measured more and more frequently; these now also reach power classes of up to 400 kVA (CCS) and will also offer charging power in the megawatt range (MCS) in the future.

Measurement of Electrolysers, CHPs and Other Electrical Generators / Consumers

Prüfung eines Solarwechselrichters mit 2,5 Megawatt Leistung im TestLab Power Electronics des Fraunhofer ISE.
Prüfung eines Solarwechselrichters mit 2,5 Megawatt Leistung im TestLab Power Electronics des Fraunhofer ISE.

Our multi-megawatt class infrastructure also enables us to offer measurements of power electronics for large-scale systems, such as combined heat and power plants, electrolysers, heat pumps and other generators and consumers. In the near future, these devices will also have to meet specific requirements under the grid connection guidelines / grid codes. We are prepared for these foreseeable measurements and are happy to support our customers individually in preparing for these upcoming developments. Measurements can be carried out in our laboratories or outdoors, as well as in the field.

Quick Analysis for PV Power Plants

At Fraunhofer ISE, we have many years of experience with PV power plants - including those whose yields fall short of expectations. The reasons for lower yields are complex and often not easy to identify. They can lie both in the area of the modules and their interconnection and in the area of the inverters. We have transferred our experience from research and from collaboration with industry into an analysis tool that allows us to automatically identify typical problems in a data set.

Troubleshooting in PV Power Plants

Yield losses?
Inverter failures?
System damage? 

The reasons for yield losses and faults in PV parks can be complex, e.g.,

  • PV module and inverter degradation
  • faulty planning or execution
  • faulty devices (e.g., inverters, grid protection, ICT)
  • grid interactions

Fraunhofer ISE detects the causes of these problems und provides suitable solutions. As a start, we offer a lean preliminary analysis that focuses on typical problems, without obligation.

For a preliminary analysis we require the following data:

  • plant information (location, tilt, azimuth, …)
  • measurement data from monitoring (P_AC, U_DC, I_DC, …)

Our digital decision path allows us to check the data for typical problems without much effort. In this analysis typical problems with modules, inverters, system design, etc. are considered. Based on the results of this preliminary analysis, we offer fast advice on how to solve the problem quickly, or, if necessary, we suggest further analysis of the problems by our inhouse experts.

We have developed a lean problem-solving process that allows us to narrow down the technical problem at an early stage and offer you professional advice. Our knowledge covers the entire PV system, including the cell and module technology, power plant design, inverter technology, and grid behavior.

The TestLab Power Electronics is accredited by the DAkkS, Germany’s national accreditation body, according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 to perform studies on inverters and other components (e.g. battery inverter, CHP, etc.). Performance ranges: DC power: 2.4 MW, AC power: 10 MVA.