Integration of wind, solar, and storage requires more than good intentions: it demands power electronics capable of providing stability, quality, and predictability to the grid. It is precisely here that SMARES brings about a practical change.
| Short on time? Here’s the gist: |
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| ✅ Modular multilevel converter up to 6 MVA stabilizes the grid, controls active/reactive power, and improves power quality ⚡ |
| ✅ Integrated storage manages peaks, strengthens generation, and enables grid services such as frequency support and black-start 🔋 |
| ✅ Project led by GPTech, funded by ERA-Net Smart Grid Plus, with demonstration at an EDP Renewables park in Portugal 🇵🇹 |
| ✅ NEW R&D and E-REDES coordinate use cases, regulations, and operational testing for realistic validation 🧪 |
Intelligent integration with state-of-the-art power electronics: why SMARES matters
When the wind blows stronger during the night and the demand for energy is low, the grid needs “electronic muscle” to absorb, adjust, and deliver power with quality. Without this layer, fluctuations, losses, and even production cuts can occur. SMARES was born to resolve this mismatch between the variability of renewable sources and the predictability that the grid demands.
At the core of the proposal is a modular multilevel converter (MMC) up to 6 MVA, designed for fine control of active and reactive power, rapid response to disturbances, and to behave both as a grid-following and grid-forming unit in setups with storage. This flexibility is crucial in contexts with high penetration of renewables, where traditional electromechanical inertia of the grid decreases and dynamic stability needs to be synthesized through control.
In simple terms, the converter acts as a conductor: it reads the grid’s score (voltage, frequency, harmonics), decides in milliseconds how each “section” of submodules should play, and delivers a clean waveform, with low harmonic distortion and local voltage support. On windy days, it “holds” excitation; during cloud ramps, it “fills” the valley. And if there are batteries, it coordinates charging/discharging to transform erratic production into stable power.
For those observing a real project — such as a wind farm on the Portuguese coast — the gains are palpable: lower flicker in nearby towns, fewer unnecessary protection activations, and more predictable operation for the grid operator. In regulatory terms, the ability to meet requirements for fault-ride-through, limits on power ramp-up/down, and contributions of reactive power during voltage anomalies is no longer optional; it is the license to operate.
A practical scenario illustrates: on a late afternoon, consumption rises with kitchens and showers, while the wind decreases. Without coordination, the fall in wind generation may require thermal power plant activation. With SMARES coupled to a storage system, part of the energy produced during peak wind hours is released to smooth the transition, reducing costs and emissions. Intelligent management of reactive power further improves voltage in long cables, avoiding losses.
Another important aspect is the quality of the energy. High-order harmonics, imbalances, and voltage variations wear out transformers, shorten the lifespan of appliances, and cause discomfort in lighting. The modular multilevel converter was chosen precisely for its excellent harmonic performance, which reduces bulky passive filters and increases the overall efficiency of the system.
By aligning cutting-edge technology with grid requirements and environmental goals, SMARES demonstrates that it is possible to embrace more renewables without sacrificing reliability. The final result? More clean energy utilized, less waste, and a grid that breathes with stability.
Modular multilevel converter up to 6 MVA: architecture, control, and practical benefits
The technological heart of SMARES is a “turnkey” MMC up to 6 MVA, designed, built, tested, validated, and certified to operate in high-demand contexts. This architecture uses series submodules that “stack” voltage levels, allowing for smoother waveforms and lower losses compared to two or three-level inverters. Modularity provides concrete benefits: maintenance by modules, redundancy, and ease of expansion.
In practice, each submodule has its own control, and the set is coordinated by a supervisory layer that decides how much active and reactive power will be delivered at any given moment. During normal operation, the algorithm works to maintain power factor and total harmonic distortion (THD) within strict limits; during disturbances, it quickly takes on support functions, such as injecting reactive power to sustain voltage and limiting fault currents. When necessary, it operates in grid-forming mode, defining local voltage and frequency in microgrids with storage.
Active/reactive power control and power quality
The active power control follows references from energy dispatch and wind availability, respecting configurable ramps to avoid shocks to the grid. Reactive power is adjusted according to voltage profile and line constraints, helping to reduce losses and maintain supply quality. Under specific conditions, the converter can emulate synthetic inertia, reacting to frequency variations as a heavy turbine would, but with the agility of electronics.
Another practical highlight is the integration with Energy Management (EMS) and SCADA systems. This allows for the implementation of strategies like intelligent curtailment, peak shaving, and auxiliary services in a coordinated manner, with high-resolution telemetry and applied cybersecurity. The result is less uncertainty for the operator and greater revenue predictability for the project, especially in markets that remunerate grid services.
In institutional terms, the project is led by Green Power Technologies (GPTech), with funding from ERA-Net Smart Grid Plus. This framework favors the maturity of the solution, ensuring alignment with European practices and certification mechanisms. The approach “from paper to prototype and validation” accelerates the learning curve and reduces the gap between laboratory and field.
For those planning projects, the message is clear: a well-integrated 6 MVA MMC can reduce the need for bulky passive equipment, optimize the use of cables and transformers, and deliver power quality compatible with sensitive environments. It is engineering serving reliability, with a palpable impact on daily operation.
By placing stability at the center of the design, the solution paves the way for the next step: coupling storage and capturing value where the grid needs it most.
Integrated storage and wind: when batteries multiply the value of energy
If the converter is the maestro, storage is the silent engine room that ensures the show runs smoothly. Pairing batteries with a wind farm allows for transforming variable energy into predictable power, with added value in grid services. Consider a 6 MVA system with 20–30 MWh: there is enough power to smooth ramps, “firm” contracts, and provide frequency support for dozens of minutes — critical time for the operator to make decisions and balance the system.
The first gain is firming: reducing production variance and meeting tighter contractual windows. Second, peak shaving helps alleviate local grid congestion, avoiding penalties. Third, the battery enables auxiliary services such as secondary regulation, voltage control, and black-start in microgrids. And, when the hourly price is low, it charges; when it rises, it discharges — always within wear rules and the safe operational window.
A realistic example: on a windy night, the battery charges up to 80% of its state of charge. The next morning, with residential consumption high, the system discharges in a controlled manner to maintain power delivered at a contractual level. If frequency drops due to an event on the grid, part of the discharge is diverted for frequency support, stabilizing the system and avoiding shutdowns. All this is coordinated by the MMC and the EMS, with priorities defined according to events.
- 🔋 Generation firming: smooths the curve and reduces penalties for deviations.
- ⚡ Grid services: reactive, frequency regulation, and voltage support.
- 📉 Loss reduction: less reactive circulation and better power factor.
- 🛡️ Local resilience: capability for black-start and controlled islanding operation.
To guide decisions, the table below summarizes strategies and key impacts that typically inform the design of a wind + battery + MMC system.
| 🎯 Strategy | 💡 Practical objective | 📊 Indicator observed | ✅ Expected result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firming | Deliver power with lower variance | Power standard deviation (kW) | 🚀 Less curtailment and more predictability |
| Peak shaving | Avoid local congestion | Line load (%), voltage (V) | 🧊 Grid relief and less losses |
| Frequency regulation | Stabilize rapid variations | RoCoF, nadir (Hz) | 🛟 Greater systemic stability |
| Voltage support | Maintain appropriate voltage profile | Vpu, DHTi | 🌱 Better power quality |
| Arbitrage | Buy low, sell high | Spread €/MWh | 💶 Additional revenue |
As a rule of thumb, sizing depends on the primary objective. For short-term firming, 2–4 hours of autonomy may be sufficient; for arbitrage and prolonged services, 4–6 hours provide more leeway. In all cases, integration with the 6 MVA MMC ensures smooth ramps and power quality in compliance with the grid code.
At the end of the day, storage acts as a value multiplier: it doesn’t increase the wind but enhances the utilization and usefulness of the captured energy.
Demonstration at a wind farm in Portugal: what will be measured and how to interpret
Validating technology in the field is what separates intent from reality. SMARES will be demonstrated at a Portuguese wind farm of EDP Renewables, with integrated operation in the ecosystem of E-REDES. The proof goes beyond connecting and observing: it involves a testing plan with clear metrics, distinct measurement periods, scheduled events, and impact assessment on the adjacent grid.
In practice, the trial will observe indicators such as total harmonic distortion (THD), flicker, voltage imbalance, response to dips (sags) and voltage rises, as well as active/reactive power curves under different wind scenarios. Maximum ramps, behavior during contingencies, and waveform quality under rapid EMS setpoint changes are also assessed. The entire set is monitored with time-synchronized instrumentation, allowing for detailed cause-and-effect analyses.
Stability indicators and metrics to monitor
For the operator, it is important to check how the MMC contributes to keeping bus voltages within limits, reducing losses, and improving current profile. In fault-ride-through situations, the ability to remain connected, inject reactive power, and recover without exceeding thermal limits of components is measured. For the local community, the focus lies on comfort (less flicker of lights), electromagnetic noise, and absence of unnecessary interruptions.
The validation methodology also includes a “digital twin” of the park, calibrated with real data, to test control strategies before applying them to the physical asset. This reduces risks and accelerates optimization. In the end, it is expected to demonstrate measurable reduction in THD, greater voltage stability, and lower incidence of protection events. These results instill confidence in investors, operators, and regulators.
For those living nearby, the positive impact appears in small signs: lamps without flicker on windy nights, fewer micro-interruptions, and a sense of electrical normality — a silent sign that the technology is doing its job.
Regulation, use cases, and steps to apply in a real installation
Robust projects start with regulatory compliance. In Portugal and the European Union, codes such as RfG require specific power control, ride-through, and voltage support capabilities. SMARES was designed in light of these requirements, with testing and certifications that shorten the distance to commercial operation. The role of NEW R&D is crucial: it leads the definition of use cases, identifies applicable regulations, prepares the park, and orchestrates testing with partners such as EDP Renewables and E-REDES.
To transform principles into implemented works, a clear sequence helps avoid delays. Below, a practical roadmap for those considering integrating wind, power electronics, and storage intelligently.
- 🧭 Network and asset diagnosis: voltage measurements, THD, line load, interconnection studies.
- 📐 Definition of objectives: firming, grid services, arbitrage, or balanced combination.
- 🧩 Selection of MMC and BESS: power (MVA), energy (MWh), topology, redundancies, and safety.
- 🔗 EMS/SCADA integration: priorities, cybersecurity, telemetry, and alarming.
- 📜 Regulatory compliance: ride-through, ramp requirements, reactive, and acceptance testing.
- 🧪 Commissioning with data: FAT/SAT, scheduled tests, indicators, and performance acceptance.
- ♻️ Operation and continuous improvement: event analysis, controller adjustment, predictive maintenance.
In terms of business model, projects that combine 6 MVA MMC with storage tend to open multiple revenue streams: better average price for firm energy, auxiliary services, reduction of unavailability, and synergies in collective self-consumption. In regions with weak grids, the stabilization effect can even unlock new renewable connections, without immediate need for major infrastructure reinforcements.
An unavoidable reality in 2026 is the convergence between efficient buildings and distributed renewable generation. Condominiums with solar roofs, small wind turbines, and shared batteries benefit from the same control logic: power quality, controlled ramps, and local voltage support. The same intelligence that stabilizes a large-scale park can be applied on a smaller scale, enhancing neighborhoods and energy communities.
If the goal is to take the first step with safety, the best immediate action is simple: map consumption and generation profiles, list technical connection constraints, and request a pre-integration study that considers power electronics, storage, and grid requirements. A good project begins with a good diagnosis — and ends with clean, stable, and useful energy for all.
Source: edp.com
