ENGIE and WEG conduct an unprecedented test in Brazil proving the stability of the nationally manufactured wind turbine
The transnational companies, ENGIE Brasil and WEG are trailblazers in a pioneering trial in Brazil. Together, the two companies have for the first time in the country, executed the so-called Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT) test to satisfy grid procedures of the National System Operator’s (ONS) technical requirements to ensure the security, reliability, and efficiency of the system. The purpose was to assess the capacity of the turbine to remain connected to the grid in the event of possible grid instability.
With the significant increase of intermittent renewable energy generation in Brazil such as wind and solar, this type of testing is expected to be among the requirements of the ONS with a view to mitigating systemic risks of power outages. The procedure was one more among the innovations of R&D Wind developed by ENGIE in partnership with WEG and CELESC, the state-owned electric power utility for Santa Catarina, in order to anticipate this future demand of the sector as well as to guarantee that the equipment produced by WEG has the best efficiency and performance, thus contributing to Brazilian energy security.
“WEG continues its journey of developing advanced domestic technology in the Brazilian wind power market. LVRT tests have been a part of the project since its beginning and have been performed at a critically important moment for the Brazilian power grid which has been impacted by recent instabilities. These tests serve to confirm reliability of performance during transitory grid downtime”, explains João Paulo Gualberto da Silva, Executive Officer at WEG Energia.
In all, 172 LVRT tests were run, based on which WEG was able to modify parameters, validate and optimize the product’s resistance to this type of disturbance in the system. The tests were monitored by a group from ONS, technicians and researchers from the SENAI Institute for Innovation in Renewable Energies (ISI-ER), responsible for UMGAT (Mobile Generating Unit of Voltage Sagging) where real simulations of short circuits were carried out for evaluations on the wind turbine, part of the preliminary studies necessary for the procedure and carrying out the test campaign in conjunction with the Spanish company Barlovento.
SENAI and the company have been working to develop wind turbine technologies for over 12 years. “Within this collaboration, there was a technological transfer of knowledge in the area of voltage sagging and energy quality so that the wind turbines that will be developed in Brazil can meet the requirements of the ONS network code and the world”, emphasizes the Research & Technology coordinator of the SENAI Institute for Innovation in Renewable Energy (ISI-ER), Antonio Medeiros, highlighting that “when the wind turbine passes this type of test it also demonstrates that the technology developed in Brazil has the capacity to be commercialized in any country in the world , as long as it meets the technical voltage and frequency requirements for connection, contained in the procedures and/or network code of each country”.
First Brazilian wind turbine
With a 4.2 MW capacity, the wind turbine developed as a result of the combined efforts of ENGIE Brasil Energia, WEG, and CELESC is the first of its type designed and produced in Brazil. Installed in ENGIE Brasil Energia’s experimental R&D park in Tubarão (SC), the equipment was designed and manufactured by WEG at its Jaraguá do Sul (SC) plant. The project was developed within the scope of the Research, Development, and Innovation Program (PDI) under the auspices of ANEEL.
“This R&D project is evidence that the synergy between major corporations is an important accelerator in the country’s development. The results of this test enhance the value chain as a whole from developers of the wind turbine to energy generators that apply the technology in the field. The completed tests also demonstrate how the developed wind turbine meet the requirements of the National System Operator in the event of grid disturbances, thus strengthening the continued expansion of this source in Brazil’s energy matrix.” comments Felipe Rejes de Simoni, Performance and Innovation Manager at ENGIE Brasil Energia.
“Celesc recognizes the strategic importance of this test, anticipating as it does the requirements of the ONS and promoting the country’s energy security. This collaborative effort is also a tangible result of the Research, Development, and Innovation’s (RDI) wind project in which CELESC has invested R$ 30 million in conjunction with ENGIE and WEG, contributing to driving technological progress and promoting efficiency in wind power generation. In addition, the wind power resulting from this effort represents not only a technological achievement, but also a milestone in the capacity for innovation on the part of the Brazilian energy sector, involving a complex project embracing almost the full range of engineering skills and contributing to Celesc’s continued commitment of supporting initiatives which drive the transition to a cleaner and more efficient energy matrix”, comments Roberto Kinceler, Research, Development and Innovation Manager at Celesc.
Over the course of its development, the project consolidated into one of ENGIE’s largest R&D projects in Brazil with an investment of more than R$ 80 million. The turbine and supporting equipment together weigh 201.3 tons and were manufactured by WEG at its headquarters and tested at the largest wind turbine test structure in the Americas, with testing capacity to serve future platforms of up to 6 MW. In addition, the wind blades were manufactured by the Aeris company in Caucaia, state of Ceará.
SENAI and the company have been working to develop wind turbine technologies for over 12 years. “Within this collaboration, there was a technological transfer of knowledge in the area of voltage sagging and energy quality so that the wind turbines that will be developed in Brazil can meet the requirements of the ONS network code and the world”, emphasizes the Research & Technology coordinator. Development (R&D) of the SENAI Institute for Innovation in Renewable Energy (ISI-ER), Antonio Medeiros, highlighting that “when the wind turbine passes this type of test it also demonstrates that the technology developed in Brazil has the capacity to be commercialized in any country in the world , as long as it meets the technical voltage and frequency requirements for connection, contained in the procedures and/or network code of each country”.
ABOUT ENGIE
ENGIE is a global reference in low-carbon energy and services. With its 97,000 employees, its customers, partners and stakeholders, the Group is committed to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally-friendly solutions. Inspired by its purpose (“raison d’être”), ENGIE reconciles economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet, building on its key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to its customers. Turnover in 2022: 82.6 billion Euros.
In Brazil, ENGIE, leader in 100% renewable power generation in the country, operates in generation, commercialization and transmission of electric power, gas transport and energy solutions. The Company
has in the country an installed capacity of 12,5 GW, originated from renewable sources and with low GHG emissions, such as hydro, solar and biomass power plants, and windfarms.
With the acquisition of Transportadora Associada de Gás – TAG, ENGIE now also owns the largest natural gas transportation network in the country, at 4,500 km and transecting 10 states and 191 cities.
The Group has a complete portfolio of integrated solutions focused on reducing costs and improving the infrastructure for companies and cities, such as energy efficiency, public lighting, energy monitoring and management.
With 2,800 employees, ENGIE’s turnover in Brazil in 2023 was of R$ 11.7 billion. ENGIE trades on the B3 through its energy generation and trading company, ENGIE Brasil Energia, under the ticker EGIE3. In addition to being a B3 Novo Mercado component, the Company is one of the very few companies that have been listed in the Business Sustainability Index since its creation in 2005. In 2021, ENGIE Brasil Energia was included in the Carbon-Efficient Index (ICO2), made up of IBrX 100 companies that are most transparent in terms of GHG emissions reporting and how they are preparing for a low-carbon economy.
The company also received in May 2024 the certification Great Place to Work, a recognition which validates the continuous commitment of the company to create a positive and inclusive work environment for all.
The Group is listed on the Paris and Brussels stock exchanges (ENGI) and is represented in the main financial indices (CAC 40, Euronext 100, FTSE Euro 100, MSCI Europe) and non-financial indices (DJSI World, Euronext Vigeo Eiris – Europe 120/France 20, MSCI EMU ESG screened, MSCI EUROPE ESG Universal Select, Stoxx Europe 600 ESG-X).