Energy efficiency and power quality stability are today the most critical technical challenges to maximise the performance of renewable energy production plants.
With over 50 years of experience in power quality, Ortea offers integrated “Made in Italy” solutions to optimise the performance of photovoltaic, wind and geothermal plants, ensuring maximum operational efficiency and production continuity.
Renewable energy production plants are particularly vulnerable to power quality issues, which can significantly compromise return on investment and operational continuity.
Variable weather conditions generate voltage fluctuations that stress power electronics, causing continuous fluctuations in production. According to ARERA 2024-2025 data, voltage variations can cause annual production losses of between 1% and 5%, as well as plant downtime and penalties from distributors for non-compliance with energy quality standards.
Electronic converters (inverters) used in photovoltaic and wind power plants introduce harmonic distortions that degrade the quality of the grid voltage. These distortions can cause thermal overloads in transformers, reducing their lifetime by up to 20% and increasing distribution losses.
For industrial-scale production plants (over 500 kWp), extraordinary maintenance due to power quality issues can result in additional costs ranging from €5,000 to €20,000 per year, including interventions on inverters and cabling damaged by voltage disturbances. Loss of operational continuity also leads to missed incentives and possible penalties for non-compliance with grid regulations.
The growing implementation of renewable sources in the national electricity grid has highlighted critical issues that require specific and customised technical solutions.
Photovoltaic inverters are particularly sensitive to voltage fluctuations and surges in the grid, which can cause automatic shutdowns and protection blocks, compromising energy production. Overvoltages during weather events and grid disturbances cause frequent disconnections of inverters, resulting in production losses and accelerated wear of electronic components.
The EN 50160 standard defines quality standards for voltage supplied by public networks, specifying parameters such as voltage, frequency, harmonics and micro-interruptions.
Failure to comply with these standards may result in financial penalties and forced disconnections from the system.
Prolonged exposure to poor power quality conditions reduces the operating life of transformers and control equipment, significantly increasing operating costs.
Ortea has developed a comprete and integrated portfolio of solutions for voltage stabilisation, harmonic filtering and energy optimisation, specifically designed for renewable energy production plants.
Our voltage stabilisers are designed to keep grid voltage within regulatory limits even in the event of rapid and significant variations. Ortea solutions offer:
Ortea’s filtered automatic power factor correction solutions allow:
ACTIVEmatic active harmonic filters are specifically designed to eliminate harmonic pollution generated by electronic converters, protecting transformers and equipment from thermal overloads and reducing distribution losses.
The main function of isolation transformers in renewable energy production plants is to prevent any electrical faults generated in the plant from affecting the distribution network.
What problems does an isolation transformer solve in a renewable energy production plant?
Furthermore, if energy storage systems (BESS) are present in the plant, galvanic separation of the two circuits is recommended to protect the inverter and batteries from any overvoltages and/or overcurrents generated in the grid.
With over 50 years of experience in power quality and a consolidated presence in over 100 countries, Ortea is the ideal technology partner to optimise the performance of large renewable energy production plants.
Our international network of distributors and specialised technicians guarantees local support at every stage of the project, from design to after-sales service.
All Ortea solutions are designed and manufactured in Italy according to the highest quality standards, with certifications ensuring compliance with regulations and technical specifications of the main European network operators.
Customisation capability is one of Ortea’s main competitive advantages: each solution is tailored to the specific needs of the plant, ensuring maximum operational efficiency.
Ortea offers specialised consultancy services to assess the power quality issues of your plant and identify the best solutions to maximise efficiency and profitability.
full range of technology applications to best meet our customers’ needs.
