Faraday Exchanger for Renewable Generation Integration (FERGI)

6564e82d-01c1-4c73-8a2b-4a539073c2b5

Closed

Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK

£3,849,085

March 1, 2019

Feb. 28, 2021

"In renewable generation and transmission, transformers, converters and compensators are fundamental parts of the electrical system for voltage change, grid compliance and power compensation. The Faraday Exchanger for Renewable Generation Integration (FERGI) project will aim at develop and testing a generation-scale version of a successfully trialled device, the Faraday Exchanger (FE), to address the renewable energy market need to solve some of the fundamental technical challenges of voltage, frequency and power-factor control along the electrical transmission system. The device will benefit both renewable generators and grid operators. This will provide renewable generators will the ability to increase the efficiency of their electrical transmission system by reducing energy losses and thus increase generation income while in the same time helping grid operators to reduce the costs associated with both capital expenditure and intermittent payments to maintain the grid performance within the prescribed limits.

Through the optimization of this innovative and disruptive device, FERGI has the potential to introduce to the market a novel device which provides the functionalities of transformers, reactors and potentially converters. The project can unlock a considerable reduction in the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of different sources of renewable generation (offshore wind, Tidal and Solar), estimated to be 1.6% reduction in the LCOE of offshore wind. This can lead to increased investment in new renewable generation capacity, reduce carbon emissions and also consumer electricity prices.

Faraday Grid Limited will be the technology developer and beneficiary of the project. They will lead the technical engineering activities, design and manufacturing of the FE demonstrator device. ORE Catapult will project manage FERGI, in addition to leading the validation and test programme of the device using its state of the art ""Grid Emulation System"" to test the equipment response to grid requirements. Using ORE Catapults' established route to market and commercialisation processes, Faraday Grid Ltd will work closely with ORE Catapult to develop a technology and commercialisation roadmap for FERGI across the different renewable energy sectors."