- SMA has won The smarter E Award for its Sunny Central Flex platform, a modular system solution for large-scale converter systems, available up to 7.4 MW at the world biggest solar pv event, Intersolar
- Despite its high performance, it uses silicon carbide transistors, achieving efficiencies up to 99.2% and 99.5% as a DC-coupled solution.
The award recognised the platform’s flexible adaptability. The same platform can be configured for PV island systems, AC-coupled storage systems, DC-coupled PV-plus storage hybrid power plants, and hydrogen electrolyzers.
The 40-foot skidtainer construction includes a medium-voltage transformer, switchgear, DC-AC inverter stages, and DC/DC converter stages. These stages can be replaced and rearranged for various applications. SMA has certified the DC and AC connection stages, allowing the platform to adapt to individual applications without re-certification.
SMA configures each solution to project requirements and the DC/DC converters can be retrofitted to connect battery storage devices. Bernd Geßner, platform manager for SMA, said that its DC/DC converters enable fast reaction times within milliseconds for DC-coupled systems, matching AC-coupled solutions for frequency measures and virtual instantaneous reserve capabilities. He said these features are crucial in many markets.
SMA’s Sunny Central Flex platform won The smarter E Award for its modularity, flexibility, and capability to perform various network formation tasks.
Source: pv magazine
This article was originally published in pv magazine and is republished with permission.
