ENERGY
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Power ElectronicsProjects
Completed Projects
In the project initiated by TÜBİTAK KAMAG within the scope of the R&D project call for the development of solar power plant (SPP) technologies in our country, TÜBİTAK MAM was the organization responsible for the development and production of the photovoltaic central inverter.
Photovoltaic inverters are a power electronics technology that converts direct current (DC) generated by solar panels into grid-usable alternating current (AC). Centralized inverters are used in high-power power plants, where the power of a single inverter usually starts from kilowatt (kW) levels and can reach up to megawatt (MW) levels. Unlike other inverter types, this technology is based on the principle that the DC current from solar panels is first combined in junction boxes where protection and collection processes are performed, and then routed to the central inverter. Central inverters offer the opportunity to manage larger panel groups from a single center compared to other inverter types.
Within the scope of the MİLGES Project, which was carried out between 2015 and 2020, a 1 MW central inverter and solar power plant automation system was developed. This system is being used in the 6 MW Solar Power Plant established in the Ceylanpınar plant of TİGEM, one of the client organizations, and the plant has been operating uninterruptedly since February 2021.
High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems are used in today's electricity transmission systems due to the transmission of high powers over long distances with less loss compared to conventional alternating current electricity transmission systems, no distance limit in electricity transmission with underground / underwater cables, enabling the interconnection of different electricity networks that cannot be connected with alternating current connection, and preventing the interaction of disturbances by acting as a firewall between networks in interconnection.
Within the scope of the project initiated by TÜBİTAK KAMAG with the call for R&D project in order to design and develop the Back-to-Back Static Two-Way Active Power Transmission System that will enable the exchange of electrical energy between our country and neighboring countries (bilateral) with domestic facilities, it is aimed to develop an Active Power Transmission System with a total power of 100MW based on the connection of 4 25MW back-to-back multi-level converter circuits connected in parallel with each other at the highest 36kV voltage level to the national electricity transmission network of at least 132kV with the help of coupling transformers.
Within the scope of the project, a Reactive Power Compensation system was required to compensate the capacitive reactive power caused by XLPE underground cables used in the supply of traction transformer centers on the Bursa Light Rail System Phase II line. Accordingly, a thyristor switched reactor (TSR) based 930 kVAr reactive power compensation system was installed and successfully commissioned at SS06 Emek Station.
However, due to the new lines added to the light rail system, it has become necessary to increase the power of the existing reactive power compensation systems. In this context:
- In addition to the 1200 kVAr rated power thyristor switched shunt reactor system at Station SS07, three single phase shunt reactors of 138 kVAr each were installed.
- In parallel with the 550 kVAr breaker-switched three-phase shunt reactor at Station SS08, an additional 100 kVAr three-phase shunt reactor was installed.
In the second phase of the project, a 350 kVA active power filter system was installed and commissioned at SS06 Emek Station to filter the current harmonics arising from the traction rectifiers that adversely affect the power quality of the system.
Active power filter systems consist of power-switched semiconductor elements in the field of power electronics in coordination with energy-storing passive circuit components such as reactors and capacitors. The resonance risk of passive filters and advances in semiconductor technology have significantly increased the use of active power filters in harmonic filtering applications.
Depending on their topology, active power filters are effectively used in solving many power quality problems such as filtering current and voltage harmonics, reactive power compensation, neutral current elimination, terminal voltage regulation, suppression of voltage flicker and elimination of current-voltage imbalances.
Within the scope of this project, a current source converter (CSC) based mobile active power filter (APF) system with a voltage level of 1.1 kV and a power of 5 MVA was developed with domestic and national facilities and installed in Denizli-2 Substation.
Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) systems, which can generate stepless reactive power, provide an effective reactive power compensation by reducing the reactive power required at the point of connection to zero within its own capacity. In addition, while providing voltage regulation at the system connection point, it also makes a significant contribution to increasing the transient regime and dynamic stability limit values of the electricity grid.
Within the scope of this project, a mobile STATCOM system based on a modular multilevel converter (MMC) with a voltage level of 10.5 kV and a power of ±50 MVAr was developed with domestic and national facilities and successfully commissioned in Ankara Sincan Transformer Center by connecting to 154 kV busbar via coupling transformer.
Within the scope of the project, a photovoltaic microinverter has been designed and manufactured that amplifies the direct current voltage generated by a single photovoltaic solar panel, converts it into alternating current and transfers it to the grid. Microinverters offer the advantages of high performance, low installation cost and high reliability, especially in photovoltaic applications installed on residential and building roofs.
The microinverters developed in the project are designed to operate at high efficiency and in harsh environmental conditions. This project was carried out in cooperation with the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in Saudi Arabia, and technology transfer was realized to KACST within the scope of the project.
In Saudi Arabia, there are electricity distribution lines with a length of 300 km. Due to voltage drops and power quality problems occurring on these lines, the people living in a large area were facing serious problems, especially with the increase in air conditioning loads during the summer months. In order to solve these problems, a technology cooperation project was implemented with the aim of transferring the Static Var Compensation (SVC) technology developed by TÜBİTAK MAM to the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), the equivalent organization in Saudi Arabia.
Within the scope of the project, KACST project personnel were trained on the design of SVC systems both in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, and a comprehensive transfer of knowledge and experience was provided in this field. One 13.8 kV - 16 MVAr portable SVC system for Al Hassah city and two 0.4 kV - 3 MVAr portable SVC systems for Dhurma city were designed, manufactured and successfully commissioned.
Design, development and turnkey delivery of 2 Reactive Power Compensation (RPC) systems for the reactive power compensation of the loads fed by 2 OBS starting transformers of Kemerköy Elektrik Üretim ve Ticaret A.Ş. (KEAŞ), each with rated values of 50MVA/25-25MVA, 154kV/6,3kV, were realized by TÜBİTAK MAM -.
Reactive Power Compensation (RPC) Systems of KEAŞ OBS Start Transformers consist of two conjugated systems connected to 6.3kV secondary busbars of OBS01 and OBS02 internal demand transformers named OBG and OBH respectively. Each of these systems consists of one multi-level inverter based STATCOM with ±6.5MVAr power and two detuned harmonic filters with 5.25MVAr power. Therefore, the reactive power operating range of the systems can be between 17MVAr capacitive and 6.5MVAr inductive.
Kemerköy Elektrik Üretim ve Ticaret A. Ş. (KEAŞ) Thermal Power Plant plays an important role in Turkey's energy production with its structure consisting of three synchronous generators of 274 MVA each. In this project, it was aimed to modernize the generator excitation systems of the power plant and in this context, redundant, static and thyristor excitation systems were designed and commissioned. These systems provide direct current to the rotors of the generators, creating a magnetic field and thus realizing electricity generation. Thanks to their modern microcontroller-based structure, the excitation systems provide fast voltage and current regulation and directly contribute to the stable operation of the generators during generation. One of the most remarkable innovations of the project is the water cooling system used to cool the thyristor modules. This system optimizes the thermal management of high power excitation systems, extending component lifetime and reducing maintenance requirements. Furthermore, the water cooling system contributes to the compact design of the excitation boards, resulting in space savings.
STATCOM based Reactive Power Compensation (RPC) systems with a power of 2 × ± ±12 MVAr in Mardin Kızıltepe and ±25 MVAr in Şanlıurfa Viranşehir were required in order to prevent voltage collapses caused by increasing irrigation loads in the summer months in the Southeastern Anatolia Region, to contribute to the national economy and to support the fulfillment of ENTSO-E criteria.
STATCOM systems, which can generate stepless reactive power, can generate reactive power in a way to reduce the reactive power measured at the point where they are connected to zero on the scale of their own power. At the same time, by providing voltage regulation, it also contributes to increasing the transient regime and dynamic stability limit values at the point of connection.
The rehabilitation project carried out at Köklüce Hydroelectric Power Plant aimed to modernize the existing systems in line with the requirements of the era and to increase operational continuity. Within the scope of this project carried out at Köklüce HEPP, many critical components of the two units of the power plant, from the excitation system to the synchronization equipment, were successfully replaced.
Considering the plant's production safety, system stability and ease of maintenance, a comprehensive rehabilitation work was carried out. As a result of these works carried out in Unit 1 and Unit 2, many electrical equipment was renewed and the excitation, protection and synchronization systems of the power plant were modernized. The rehabilitation works have significantly extended the future operational life of Köklüce HEPP and increased its system efficiency.
In the steel production facility of Mega Demir Mamülleri San. ve Tic. Ltd. Şti. (MEGADEMİR) steel production facility located in İskenderun Payas, the current harmonics injected into the grid by the induction furnaces exceed the limit values and adversely affect the power quality of the entire system through the busbar at the common connection point. In MEGADEMİR plant, in addition to the characteristic harmonics (11th, 13th, 23rd, 25th etc.) generated by 12 pulse rectifiers connected to 12 MVA transformer secondaries of induction furnaces, it was observed that there are also double and intermediate harmonic components, and even the amplitudes of these intermediate harmonics are higher than the 11th and 13th harmonics. Depending on the operating condition of the induction furnaces, the frequencies of these intermediate harmonics were also found to vary.
The existing passive filter configuration is not able to filter these intermediate harmonics and on the contrary, it increases their amplitudes and affects the system performance even more negatively. Therefore, within the scope of the project, the existing passive filters were dismantled and replaced with a 5-stage, "detuned" type harmonic filter system, each with a power of 1.5 MVAr, defined as Medium Voltage (MV) Reactive Power Compensation System (MVRPS). In addition, an Active Power Filter System (APFS) with a total installed capacity of approximately 3 MVA and connected to the MV level via a coupling transformer was installed to effectively suppress current harmonics.
The purpose of the project is to ensure that the obligations of the General Directorate of Turkish State Railways (TCDD) under Annex-8 of the system connection agreement are fulfilled.
In this direction, power quality measurement systems in accordance with the technical specifications approved by Turkish Electricity Transmission Corporation (TEIAS) have been produced and installed in order to evaluate the substations of TCDD in terms of power quality parameters and to identify possible problems. Through these systems, the necessary information infrastructure has been created in order to develop solution proposals
The aim of the project is to evaluate the transformer centers of the Turkish State Railways (TCDD) in terms of power quality parameters and to propose a compensation system suitable for the relevant center. In addition, the measurement, analysis, verification and system recommendation services needed in this context have been realized.
Electrical measurements were carried out at 12 Transformer Centers belonging to the State Railways of the Republic of Turkey, and a report was prepared on the technical issues regarding the processing of the measurement data and evaluation of the measurement data in line with the power quality parameters and the selection of suitable compensation systems for the relevant transformer center.
In order to carry out the research, electrical measurements were carried out for 1 week at 12 TCDD substations identified within the scope of the project. Mobile Measurement Systems (MMS) previously developed by us were used to measure and record electrical data. During these measurements, the operating scenarios specified by TCDD were tested in the relevant substations in order to determine the load profile in a healthy way. After the measurements and recording phase was completed for each substation, these data were processed and analyzed and evaluated in terms of power quality parameters, and a final report was prepared including these evaluation data together with the appropriate compensation system recommendation on the basis of the relevant substation.
TÜBİTAK MAM took part in the 1004 research program titled "Turkey Photovoltaic Technologies Research Platform" numbered 20AG002 as the executing organization responsible for the ninth sub-project numbered 20AG015 and titled "1500 VDC Array Inverter Development". TÜBİTAK MAM has successfully completed the coordination, realization and finalization of the work and activities in the relevant project within a total period of four years starting from February 2021. In the project, a 125 kW inverter was developed that can be used in modular-centralized and decentralized 1500 VDC photovoltaic applications. TÜBİTAK MAM is also a founding board member of TFTP established under 1004.
The main motivation of this project is the development of domestic resources to meet our energy needs, a significant portion of which is imported by our country, coordination with the European Green Deal and the Green Growth Technology Roadmap targets for climate change, and ultimately the strategic objectives of developing domestic and national technologies.
In line with these objectives, the topology selection was completed by first analyzing the literature and then conducting preliminary design studies in line with the work packages targeted in the project. Following the related design and simulation studies, prototype development and functional tests were carried out for the subcomponents. In the final phase of the project, tests and design improvements for the final prototype were completed iteratively. Accordingly, in the final prototype, a THS-6 level photovoltaic inverter with a power of 125 kW at 1500 VDC photovoltaic panel input voltage level, based on multi-level inverter structures on both DA/DA and DA/AA sides and based on innovative semiconductors was developed. The R&D activities related to the DA/DA conversion part of the inverter were carried out by METU-GÜNAM, one of the 1004 project stakeholders.
It is envisaged that the outputs of this project will make positive contributions to our domestic photovoltaic inverter ecosystem, to the strategic goals of our country and will be a source of inspiration for new projects.
Within the scope of the excitation system rehabilitation projects we have completed in different time periods, comprehensive improvements have been realized in hydroelectric power plants located in different regions of Turkey with significant energy generation capacity. In these projects, the existing excitation systems of each power plant were modernized, their reliability was increased and their efficiency was optimized. The projects include solutions that improve the stable operation of the power plants and ensure more efficient operation of the systems.
In large capacity plants such as Batman HEPP (198MW) (2022-2024), Aslantaş HEPP (138MW) (2020-2023), Gezende HEPP (159MW) (2010-2015), Kadıncık 1-2 HEPP (70MW-56MW) (2015-2017) and Seyhan-1 HEPP (60MW) (2015-2017), the excitation systems were updated according to the specific needs of each plant and significant improvements were achieved in important areas such as safety and efficiency. These projects aimed to increase the operational safety and system stability of each power plant, resulting in more sustainable power generation.
The main improvements made in these projects are the digitalization of the existing excitation systems in the power plants, increasing their redundancy and transforming them into a maintenance-friendly and reliable structure. The studies have provided solutions to ensure the efficient and safe operation of the power plants, and have been updated with advanced technological systems compatible with the existing infrastructure of each power plant. The implementation of static and dynamic excitation systems has been specifically designed to meet the operational requirements of each power plant.
Ongoing Projects
Located on the Euphrates River, one of Turkey's most important rivers, the Karkamış Hydroelectric Power Plant (HEPP) was commissioned at full capacity in 2000 and has a total installed capacity of 189 MW. The power plant generates an average of 652 GWh of electricity per year with its 6 units, each with a capacity of 31.5 MW. This project, which aims to renew the excitation (excitation) systems in two units of this power plant, which is of critical importance both in terms of meeting regional energy needs and maintaining grid stability, in accordance with today's technology, aims to increase both production security and sustainability with a local and modern solution.
The rehabilitation work carried out within the scope of the project includes the dismantling of the existing automatic voltage regulator, static type excitation system and excitation breaker and their replacement with fully digital, redundant and modern excitation systems. In this process, the structure is preserved so that the excitation transformers currently used in the power plant remain in the system; only the active components of the excitation system are renewed in accordance with modern norms. The project is a turnkey solution that includes design, manufacturing, factory testing, logistics, field assembly, commissioning, integration with other systems, user training, technical documentation delivery and spare parts supply.
Today, power quality has become a critical parameter to be monitored both due to the increase in renewable and semiconductor-based sources in electricity generation and the widespread use of power electronic loads in consumption.
Within the scope of this project carried out with Turkish Electricity Transmission Corporation (TEIAS), it is planned to install power quality analyzer devices on all 400 kV, 154 kV and 36 kV feeders and outlets across the country. This will enable the electricity transmission system to be monitored, analyzed and reported in a holistic manner.
The devices developed within the scope of the project meet an important need of transmission system operators with their compliance with international power quality standards (IEC 61000-4-30), their modular structure, their ability to be configured according to measurement point requirements and their production with domestic engineering resources.
As a result of the coordinated efforts of the Power Electronics Research Group and the Energy Monitoring and Forecasting Research Group, the prototype of the device was developed and a certificate of conformity with the IEC 61000-4-30 standard was obtained. Four demonstration devices installed at the Sincan Transformer Center have been successfully transmitting data to the TEİAŞ Electricity Power Quality and Grid Monitoring System since May 2024.
The production process of these modular devices, which will be placed at approximately 21,000 measurement points, is ongoing and is planned to be completed in the last quarter of 2026.
The purpose of this project is to provide maintenance, repair and troubleshooting services for three Reactive Power Compensation (RPC) plants and their remote monitoring system, which are currently owned by the Turkish Coal Authority (TKİ), installed and modernized by TÜBİTAK MAM and have been in operation since September 2001.
Project scope:
- Çan 34.5 kV RGK facility within Çan Lignites Operation Directorate (Çanakkale/Çan),
- Annual periodic maintenance of Işıklar 34.5 kV RGK and Deniş 34.5 kV RGK facilities of Ege Lignites Operation Directorate (Manisa/Soma) is carried out.
In addition, maintenance and repair of the remote monitoring systems of these facilities are also within the scope of the project. Effective solutions are provided for malfunctions that may occur in the facilities through remote or on-site intervention.
Thanks to these systems developed and regularly maintained by TÜBİTAK MAM, the impact of power quality problems caused by electric excavation machines operating in coal fields on the electricity grid is prevented; thus, the customer institution is protected from fines due to excessive reactive power usage and can supply its loads with lower losses and high efficiency.
Within the scope of the project, periodic maintenance of the relevant RGK facilities is carried out twice a year, and remote monitoring and fault response activities are carried out uninterruptedly.
Rehabilitation projects for the modernization of the excitation systems at the Keban, Sarıyar and Hirfanlı Hydroelectric Power Plants, which play an important role in the power generation of Electricity Generation Inc. (EÜAŞ) and Turkey, have been initiated in various time periods and are targeted to be completed in the future, and are being carried out under the coordination of the Renewable Research Group and the Power Electronics Research Group. Although each power plant is planned according to its specific needs and timing requirements, the projects are progressing within a common framework, aiming to achieve the same goals: ensuring production safety, increasing system stability and facilitating maintenance processes.
In the rehabilitation works for each power plant, the existing excitation systems (static and dynamic systems) are replaced with modern digital and redundant solutions. At the same time, SCADA integrations of the new systems are made and remote monitoring features are provided. The projects are designed with local engineering power and aim to reduce external dependency in terms of both labor and materials.
Keban Hydroelectric Power Plant has an installed capacity of 1,330 MW and generates approximately 6,600 GWh of electricity annually. Within the scope of this project, the existing excitation systems will be renewed with fully digital, redundant structures and in compliance with SCADA systems, the traceability of the systems will be increased and operational efficiency will be improved.
Sarıyar Hydroelectric Power Plant generates approximately 300 GWh of electricity annually with an installed capacity of 160 MW. The existing excitation systems will be replaced with static excitation systems. The renewed systems are designed to operate fully integrated with the existing control and protection infrastructures.
Hirfanlı Hydroelectric Power Plant has an installed capacity of 128 MW and generates 300 GWh of electricity annually. In this project, the existing dynamic and static excitation systems will be replaced with modernized and new digital static type excitation systems.
The tests of the 9.5 MVA HVDC prototype developed within the scope of the "Modular Multilevel Inverter Based Back-to-Back High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) System Development Project" supported by TÜBİTAK KAMAG, with Turkish Electricity Transmission Corporation (TEİAŞ) as the client organization and TÜBİTAK MAM as the executing organization, were successfully carried out in a closed loop environment.
In order to develop the prototype's functions for the electricity transmission network, it was decided to integrate the prototype into a substation with suitable connection and load conditions and to gain test and field experience with TEİAŞ. Accordingly, the HVDA prototype was moved to Ankara-Akyurt Transformer Center.
Following the commissioning process, tests will be carried out to improve the prototype's interaction with the electricity grid and its functions for the grid. In addition, necessary operation and maintenance trainings will be provided for the operation of the system, and as-built projects covering operation, maintenance, installation and troubleshooting will be prepared.
Photovoltaic Central Inverter, Battery Storage Inverter and DC/DC Converter, which can be used in solar power plants, solar power plants with storage, stand-alone energy storage facilities, hybrid power plants integrated with solar power plants (HEPP, WPP, GPP, etc.), energy storage facilities integrated with wind power plants, will be developed by TÜBİTAK MAM to be mass-producible with domestic facilities and competitive in terms of technical specifications and cost.
The license rights regarding the production and sale of the products to be developed will be used by ASELSAN.