How engineered power and control buildings bring green energy to the grid

As the world electrifies, the way we generate electricity to meet growing demand needs to shift. Renewable energy is becoming a larger part of our global electrical infrastructure and that trend is only expected to accelerate. Engineered power and control (P&C) buildings are at the core of that process, playing an often overlooked yet essential role in delivering power from renewable energy sources to the grid.

Different Buildings, Different Jobs

There are two main types of P&C buildings used in renewable installations: collector and point-of-interconnect (POI). Collector buildings are placed throughout renewable energy installations and serve the function of gathering and consolidating energy from individual sources. They collect multiple power streams from wind turbines or solar panels into switchgear and accumulate that power into a single feeder out of the building. Depending on the size of the installation, renewable sites can use just one collector house or a series of them and these buildings are typically owned by the site developer.

Once power has been collected and accumulated, it needs to be connected to the electrical grid; this is where POI buildings come in. POI buildings are responsible for taking power streams from different collector buildings and combining and controlling their synchronization so they can be properly connected to utility transmission lines.

In addition to phase synchronization, POI buildings are also responsible for providing supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. SCADA systems are essential for providing utilities real-time visibility and management capabilities for reliable power generation, transmission and distribution. Finally, these buildings also contain protective relay systems that detect unusual or unexpected activity upstream or downstream from the P&C building and activate failsafe mechanisms (like safely shutting down equipment due to faults), preventing system damage and minimizing downtime. This array of responsibilities makes POI buildings highly complex. They are also responsible for meeting the stringent standards of the power utility receiving the renewable energy to the power grid. After the systems are commissioned, installed and approved and the renewable energy is generating, ownership of POI buildings typically transfers to the utility.

Complicated Systems, Specialized Expertise

Designing, constructing and delivering P&C buildings for renewable installations is complicated, so these buildings are designed and engineered to order for the specific application. P&C buildings need to be expertly engineered and manufactured to meet the stringent standards of utility-grade infrastructure. Additionally, the equipment housed inside them needs to be properly integrated to make sure it works in harmony. Furthermore, because of the critical nature of these buildings’ functions, contractors and developers need to trust that equipment will be reliable long before it gets into the field. This reliability and durability must extend into the future as well, with equipment being able to match the typical 30-year design life of renewables infrastructure. Working with P&C building manufacturers that offer customizable and repeatable factory acceptance testing to validate workmanship and proper operation is a good place to start. It is also important to seek partners who have existing relationships and established trust with utilities that can serve as partners in proactively meeting the needs of these customers.

Even when P&C buildings are appropriately built to meet or exceed specifications, designing and manufacturing a building is just step one. Solar and wind farms are often located in remote areas, so safe transportation to the site is a challenge. P&C buildings can be described as the “enemy of shipping”—they are wide, long, tall, heavy and are often transported to remote areas. The logistics of transporting an oversized super load to a remote area brings unique challenges to every shipment. When looking at P&C building manufacturers, make sure to pick one who can actually deliver the goods safely and on time.

Finally, contractors need to consider how to protect P&C buildings when they’re in the field. The same remote environments that make initial installation challenging also make service difficult and expensive. Engineers need to make sure they are consulting with experts who are well versed in specifically designing protection systems for renewables applications and the design requirements of the location.