how do i tie 30kw to the grid, where to get an invertor etc?

[weejimmy]

looking to tie in 30kw to the grid from a wvo power genny

where can i get an invertor that will do this?

or a sustitue system?

cheers

[KenB]

Jimmy,

You will at the least have to buy a G59/1 disconnect relay

This document suggests using a Woodward MFR11 - which is a multifunction protection relay - costs from £350

http://www.segpower.com/eps_uk/products/protection-units/multifunction/mfr11

http://www.energynetworks.org/dcode/pdfs/G59G75%20WG%20Proposal%20on%20Protection%20Settings_12032007.pdf

You will need some means to speed control your engine - possibly based on an automotive cruise control system.  The power that you generate will have to meet fairly stringent frequency and harmonic tolerances in order to synchronise to the grid.

If you live in a rural setting, you may find that the quality of the grid power is poor and subject to voltage dips and transients. You may have some difficulty staying connected to the grid, as every time you get a grid voltage dip, your G59 protection relay might bang out and you will have to resynchronise.

You might be better investing in a proper skid mount generator set on ebay - such as those "roadside units" from the likes of Aggrekko, which is intended for grid connection, and then work out how to get it to run effectively on WVO.


If you want my honest opinion, what you are wishing to do will not be practical using simple DIY technology. 




Ken

[weejimmy]

im thinking more along the lines of a proper genny now anyway as the engines i was going to use are not up to the power i need, if i could buy somthing just now that was a smaller kw say 15-20 but ready to go straight to the grid ib be happy at that untill i can afford a proper lister powerd 30-40kw genny,

im not that rural realy im only 10 miles outside edinburgh so hopfully not to poor electricity, i have a man i can get to check this for me thoe. its just im on a farm so no neighbours to annoy


but would these still need a invertor as well as the realy or will the realy on its own be ok?

[knighty]

You might be better investing in a proper skid mount generator set on ebay - such as those "roadside units" from the likes of Aggrekko, which is intended for grid connection, and then work out how to get it to run effectively on WVO.

hi

do you have any more information about these sets ?  or any other makes which can grid connect ?


I'm very interested in this, and was planning on building a generator to grid connect, it's going to be a while before I can finally get going (walls to knock down, machines to move etc.. etc..)  and I would push forwards a lot faster if I could find an 'off the shelf' generator which would grid connect !

I tried google, but it isn't helping much

[weejimmy]

is it ok to use 6X 5000w invertors?

and could i start with say two then add more later?

is this the type of genny thing you mean kenb ??

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/25-KVA-SUPER-SILENT-TOWABLE-GENSET-FAST-TOW-GENERATOR-/150441081029?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_BOI_Industrial_Tools_Generators_ET&hash=item2306fcb8c5

[Amy]

Try this

http://www.kentecgenerators.co.uk/products/go_shopping/bio-fuel_biodiesel_generators/gsl30d_100_biodiesel/

[Amy]

or these 

http://www.myrak.com/index.php?area=75&xstrt=10

[KenB]

Amy,

That second one looks about right.

The utility companies deploy these temporary units by the roadside in areas where the grid is a bit weak.  They normally sit on a huge diesel tank and run for a few weeks unattended.

The power they produce probably costs about 75p per unit, but that's small change compared to doing the upgrade work to re-inforce the grid locally.

As far as I know, they just wire them across the 3 phase grid into a local pole mounted transformer and turn the starter key.   Every couple of weeks, a road tanker comes by and tops them up with diesel.  They get through about 1000 litres per week IIRC.



Ken

[Amy]

My brother has a few of them and they are so cheap to buy, for the power they give.

If I had a large supply of WVO, I would be tempted to get one and earn some money

[weejimmy]

sounds perfect tell him to sell one to me!!!

so you recon one like this could be prety much ready to plug into grid via a export meter etc?
1000L a week is ok for fuel i think
http://www.myrak.com/details.php?id=435

[knighty]

not really useful to any of us here (I guess)

but interesting anyway....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/11kv-High-Voltage-3-phase-step-up-transformer-Inverter-/400122399854?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item5d29274c6e

transformer/inverter used for connecting large diesel generators to high voltage power lines
(according to the add)

[Outtasight]

Is it really going to pay to get a generator and find 1000L of WVO per week that you have to process first and then the cost of maintaining the engine...  Can you really make a profit on such a venture?

[knighty]

depends on if you can use the heat ?


I've been planning something like this for years... and already have the engine.... but have a million and one more things to do first...

I've already knocked a couple of walls down, dug out 6ton of dirt, laid 10 ton of concrete, moved a walk in freezer inside the factory (from the yard) moved another freezer from one side of the yard to the other (couldn't dismantle this one, 2x3ton forklifts and 2x2ton pallet trucks and we still couldn't lift it!)

still to do... and bit of re-wiring, a roof over where the engine will go, then i need to connect the engine up to the generating motor (induction motor) then sort out the fuel system (heated tanks etc...)

I keep thinking I'll have it done soon.... but it's been about 2 years so far.... so hopefully might be finished in a year ?


(p.s. I can use all the heat and power generated.... running at about 4kw per phase 24/7 should cover my base load of running freezers etc.. and hopefully give me plenty of hot water)