• • • ELECTRIC VEHICLES • • •


Top trends and tools for cleantech innovation


Companies in a range of industries can become world leaders in the drive toward net zero by taking advantage of market-leading tools that test and measure energy efficiency and enable cleantech operations, says Markus Bakker, field application engineer, at Fluke Corporation


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leantech, eco-technology, greentech. Many different words have been used to describe the movement, but the goal is the same – to


develop technology that minimises the level of environmental damage caused by existing products and industries. The aim of adopting a cleantech approach is to eliminate wasteful practices that impact the world’s natural resources and environments. Transformation is the key to ensuring a viable path forward regarding the management and uses of these valuable resources. Today, the cleantech approach is driving


innovation in the critical areas of power generation via renewables, improving the energy efficiency of buildings, and ensuring the effective testing of infrastructure to support the bourgeoning electric vehicle (EV) market.


Renewables and


energy transition The trend towards renewables, including solar photovoltaic (PV), wind and wave power, is not just driven by the need to minimise society’s reliance on energy sources that damage the planet. The move is also important because it is becoming increasingly evident that the world’s existing power grids and central power plants are incapable of satisfying the electric power requirements of communities. As these communities continue to


grow, no single energy source will be able to solve the problem. The world is shifting away from the concept of


central power generation by large power plants to a more distributed power generation concept, with renewable energy sources injecting additional power for distribution over a network. The solution is hybrid power systems, otherwise


known as microgrids, that bring several sources together – PV, wind, batteries and generators – to provide non-intermittent electric power. These microgrids are well regulated for optimum conversion to meet load requirements in residential, commercial and industrial settings. As the type of loads connected to a public


distribution network or an internal electric infrastructure of a facility, house or commercial building change, however, harmonic pollution can be caused. There are serveral ways to combat harmonics in


a power distribution network through the use of transformers and harmonic filters. In utility-scale solar installations, several new


advancements will drive innovation in the renewables sector including DC-coupled battery storage and solar power (DC) tracking systems, drone infrared scanning of PV arrays, and small central inverters. New problems relating to power quality can still emerge as the process of connecting new


renewable energy sources and energy saving loads to a network change over time. To keep track of these changes and address the associated problems, regular testing is critical.


Optimising energy efficiency


in buildings According to a European Commission study, buildings are responsible for around 40% of energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the European Union. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)


systems are said to account for 38% of a building’s total energy usage. Other common areas of energy usage in commercial and residential buildings are motors and generators, boilers and electrical systems. Companies can struggle to accurately identify


and isolate energy loss and measure efficiency improvements. However, there are many innovative tools which can address the detection of the most common sources of energy loss and wastage found in commercial and residential buildings. These include poor building insulation, leaks


and wear in HVAC systems, as well as the operation and maintenance of electrical appliances and building systems.


22 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • NOVEMBER 2022 electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk


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