Peak voltage

What is peak voltage?

Peak voltage is a situation in which the voltage on the electricity grid temporarily rises too high. This happens when, at a certain moment, more electricity is generated and fed back into the grid than the grid can handle. This situation can arise especially on sunny days, when many solar panels are producing energy at the same time.

The electricity grid is designed for a specific voltage range. When the voltage exceeds this safe limit, safety mechanisms are activated to prevent damage to installations. Solar panel inverters then switch themselves off automatically. As a result, the energy generated is not used and the stability of the grid can come under pressure.

Causes of voltage spikes

Peak voltage is not caused by a single factor, but by a combination of developments within the energy system. The rapid growth of renewable energy and the limited flexibility of the electricity grid can reinforce these factors. The main causes are:

• Increase in solar panels: more and more households and businesses are generating their own energy and feeding it back into the grid. When many installations are producing at the same time, supply can temporarily exceed demand.
• Limited grid capacity: the electricity grid is not equipped for large-scale feed-in everywhere. The voltage rises more quickly, especially in residential areas and business parks with a lot of decentralized generation.
• Simultaneous production from renewable sources: Not only solar panels, but also wind turbines and other renewable energy sources often deliver high power at the same time, causing peaks in supply.
• Low local consumption during peak times: during the day , when the sun is shining brightly, energy consumption is often lower. As a result, a lot of electricity is fed back into the grid instead of being used locally.

Peak voltage therefore arises mainly because the supply of renewable energy is growing faster than the capacity of the electricity grid to process this energy.

How does peak voltage occur?

Peak voltage occurs when the voltage on the power grid is higher than the voltage at your inverter. This happens, for example, on sunny afternoons, when many solar panels produce at the same time and send the generated power massively into the grid.

The inverter cannot dispose of this energy, causing the voltage to rise further and the inverter to shut itself down for safety reasons, something that is particularly noticeable in areas with many low-voltage connections. You are generating electricity, but you cannot use or feed it back into the grid temporarily.

Consequences of peak voltage

When peak voltage occurs, it has consequences. Both the electricity grid and users of renewable energy are affected by direct and indirect effects. These consequences not only affect the technical operation of installations, but also have an impact on the reliability of the grid and the economic feasibility of renewable energy projects:

• Shutting down inverters: inverters switch themselves off when the voltage is too high, temporarily preventing solar panels from supplying power.
• Loss of renewable energy: the energy generated at that moment cannot be used or stored and is lost.
• More unstable power grid: large voltage fluctuations increase the risk of outages and put additional strain on the grid.
• Restrictions on new connections: in areas with structural peak voltage, grid operators may refuse new businesses or installations because the grid is "full."
• Financial impact: reduced utilization of generated energy means lower returns from solar installations and higher energy costs.

Peak voltage shows that the growth of renewable energy does not automatically correlate with a stable electricity grid. Limiting peak voltage is therefore essential to keep renewable energy profitable and to make the electricity grid future-proof.

Preventing peak voltage: measures

Reducing peak voltage is essential to maintaining grid stability and making optimal use of renewable energy. By taking smart measures, the load on the grid can be significantly reduced. This requires a combination of technical insight, smart energy use, and targeted investments in flexibility.

Matching consumption to generation

By using energy at times when it is generated, for example during the day when there is plenty of sunshine, the amount of electricity fed back into the grid decreases. Think of planning production processes, charging electric vehicles, or controlling installations during peak times.

Utilizing local energy storage

Energy storage systems allow surplus energy to be temporarily stored instead of being fed back into the grid. This energy can be used later when demand is higher or the grid is less congested. Energy storage makes it possible to decouple peaks in generation and consumption, thereby preventing voltage problems.

Applying smart energy management

An energy management system (EMS) provides smart control of generation, storage, and consumption. This automatically limits peak loads and keeps voltage within safe limits. In addition, an EMS provides insight into energy flows, enabling companies to better optimize their energy consumption.

Network-aware design and installation

Well-tuned installations, correct inverter settings, and professional maintenance help to prevent voltage problems and identify them more quickly. By taking grid capacity and future expansion into account during the design phase, many long-term problems can be avoided.

Is there a solution to peak voltage?

A structural solution to peak voltage requires more than just grid reinforcement. Although grid operators are working on expanding the electricity grid, this takes a long time and offers no guarantee against future peaks.

For private individuals, the solution lies primarily in smarter energy use and small-scale storage, so that generated energy is used directly as much as possible. For businesses and industrial applications, the key lies in large-scale energy storage and intelligent energy management. By storing energy locally and using it strategically, peak loads can be smoothed out and the grid remains stable, even with an increasing share of renewable energy.

Reducing peak voltage with Frax

Peak voltage poses a growing challenge within the energy transition and calls for smart, future-proof energy solutions. By storing generated energy locally and using it efficiently, rather than feeding it back into the grid in an uncontrolled manner, the load on the electricity grid is significantly reduced.

Frax's energy storage systems enable companies to optimize their energy consumption, reduce peak loads, and save on energy costs. Combined with a smart energy management system, these solutions ensure that renewable energy is used to its full potential, while reducing the load on the electricity grid. In this way, Frax contributes to a more stable, efficient, and sustainable energy system.

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