The integration of the Automatic Power Reduction System (SRAP) into Ingelectus’ PPC represents a substantial product enhancement, providing renewable plants with a highly valuable service for the operation of the Spanish power system. It is currently an optional service for renewable plants and its implementation offers a series of advantages derived from increasing the plant’s power generation capabilities. In particular, it leads to higher profitability in the electricity generation process, since plant developers can avoid economic losses arising from the application of curtailment limitations.
Ingelectus’ current commitment to excellence is reflected in its leading position, having successfully implemented SRAP at 23 plants using its own PPC, as well as at another 4 plants operating with third-party PPCs. This achievement demonstrates the versatility and adaptability of the company’s technological solutions to meet the needs of a wide range of renewable generation plants.
In the current context, it is worth highlighting that the Spanish Photovoltaic Union (UNEF) has recently recommended, in its latest meeting of the working group on the grid connection code of Red Eléctrica de España (REE), the installation of SRAP in all Spanish photovoltaic plants. This underlines the growing importance of SRAP functionality in the industry, Ingelectus’ competitive edge and its strong commitment to innovation in renewable generation technology.
SRAP: efficiency and priority in the grid
SRAP is a mechanism designed to resolve technical constraints in the context of electricity generation. This system is intended to be applied at different generation plants, with a particular focus on photovoltaic installations.
The core functionality of SRAP lies in its ability to receive commands from REE’s control centre, indicating that the generation plant must adjust its active power output. These adjustments can be carried out in three different ways depending on the time available to reduce its active power to zero: fast reduction (in less than 5 seconds), medium reduction (with 40 seconds available) or slow reduction (with up to 15 minutes to bring power down to zero).
Communication between the generation plant and REE’s control centre is a critical component of this process. This is because there are very strict requirements regarding the permissible delay times between sending the adjustment signal and its reception and execution at the plant. In this scenario, it is particularly noteworthy that the SRAP integrated as standard into Ingelectus’ PPC enables the plant’s active power to be reduced with a response time of less than 5 seconds.
It is important to note that plants equipped with the SRAP service are granted priority in the generation mix. This priority is given due to the need to maintain a balance between generation and consumption in the power system. If a plant does not participate in SRAP and congestion issues arise at certain grid nodes, its power output may be limited through curtailment constraints. This would have a significant economic impact, as it would lead to financial losses for the plant concerned.
