• • • SMART BUILDINGS & IOT • • • Smart energy management for buildings
A new smart fuse switch-disconnector by Mersen measures power flows in local low-voltage grids. This makes building switchgear fit for the age of renewable energy sources
he electrical power grid is changing fundamentally as a result of the energy transition: instead of a few large power plants, electricity will come from numerous small renewable energy sources in the future; in parallel, more and more new type of electric loads such as EV charging stations and heatpumps are pulling energy from the low voltage network. The operating companies therefore face the enormous challenge of ensuring the smoothest possible grid operation, avoiding power outages and maintaining high power quality. A new smart NH fuse switch disconnector allows monitoring and control of these ever more complex energy flows, while simultaneously protecting switchgear against surge currents.
T
The smart solution is from Mersen, one of the world leaders in power management applications. ProGrid is the innovative product, which the French company developed especially for use in grid and transformer stations, cable distribution cabinets and low-voltage distributors. It represents a new modular generation of fuse switch disconnectors, which not only protect local low-voltage grids against surge currents, but also measure energy flows and other parameters.
Several versions available The new ProGrid offer is available in three versions: Mersen ProGrid, Mersen ProGrid Smart and Mersen ProGrid SmartStation. Mersen ProGrid standalone fuse switch disconnectors protect substations, transformer stations or switchgear in buildings against surge currents and short circuits.
28 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • JUNE 2024
This version embeds a new safer and patented switching mechanism and can be upgraded for monitoring with a smart module if required. The module and the sensors are already included in the second offer variant, Mersen ProGrid Smart. The latter features extended functionality and can enable to measure efficiently the energy flow at the low-voltage outlets of the switchgear, transformation station or substation.
Protection and monitoring of
complete switchgear systems Mersen ProGrid SmartStation makes it possible to combine ProGrid Smart with additional modular measuring instruments and sensors. The result is a complete energy and environment monitoring system for medium-voltage/low-voltage substations. ProGrid SmartStation allows the combination of
the ProGrid fuse switch disconnector with additional modular measuring instruments, such as sensors for smoke detection, indoor and outdoor temperature, relative humidity or the status of the switchgear doors. Flood detectors or ozone sensors can likewise be integrated in the ProGrid SmartStation monitoring system.
ProGrid as advancement
of time-proven products The ProGrid solutions are based on conventional NH fuse switch disconnectors from Mersen, which have been protecting power distribution systems in buildings and power grids for decades. In 2022 already, Mersen presented a new smart module for its current fuse switch disconnectors to enable
real-time monitoring of the energy flow in low- voltage applications. ProGrid is an advancement of these smart modules. The modular fuse switch disconnectors of the latest generation protect the low-voltage grid against surge currents and also enable digitalization of the grid. This is the main requirement for intelligent and flexible distribution of electricity generated by renewable energy sources. The ProGrid solutions offer numerous advantages for building automation, electrical installation specialists and switchgear manufacturers. They not only protect the in-house power grid against surge currents due to fluctuations in the general power grid, the smart ProGrid fuse switch disconnectors can also measure the energy flow of PV systems, which are either supported on the roof or integrated directly in the building – for example, as an element of the roof or facade.
Energy flows in local
grids have to be measured The Renewable Energy Act (EnWG §14a) expressly requires the measurement of these energy flows by the so-called distribution management system. The purpose of the distribution management system is to prevent overloads to the public power grid. If capacities are insufficient to accommodate the power generated by the PV system, the grid operator can limit various stages of the system. However, this requires exact measurement of the energy flow from the PV systems to the public grid. This is where ProGrid solutions from Mersen
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50
