Solar power station
Generates electricity from solar energy. Performance depending on day/night time and weather conditions.
Windpark
Generates electricity from wind power. Performance depends on weather conditions and ranges from 1.5 to 8 MW per wind generator
Thermal power plant
Generates electricity from the steam that turns a turbine. Steam is produced from heating water with fossil energy, e.g. coal.
Hydro power plant
Generates electricity from a rotating turbine that is driven by water flows. Are often used to balance load peaks when there is a high energy demand.
Collector substation
Transforms renewable power from medium voltage to transmission voltage.
Distribution network
Regional distribution of electrical energy
Industrial users
Big industrial consumers (e.g. Aluminium smelters, cement companies). Needs high voltage power supply
Port electrification
Shore-side electricity allows ships to be powered without using their diesel engine when docked. CO2 and noxious gas emissions are prevented.
Railway infrastructure
Specific and separate electricity grid with individual AC frequency or DC supply to provide power to trains
Hospital / critical infrastructure
Need for particularly reliable power supply, often double secured with diesel standby emergency generators.
Urban area
Concentrates multiple electricity consumers on a limited space. Distributed energy resources are developing in cities with solar panels on buildings.
Rural area
Distributed energy such as solar panels on roofs and windmills are providing rural prosumers with clean power.
Grid storage
Energy produced by renewables can be stored using different methods (batteries, compressed air, water) and used when the grid needs it.
Primary substation
Transforms power from a transmission voltage to a distribution voltage.
Large switching substation MV/MV
A substation which includes switchgear and usually bussbars, but no power transformers.
Secondary substation MV/LV
Transforms power from medium voltage to low voltage.
Generator transformer station
Transforms power from medium voltage to transmission voltage.
Transmission network
Upper level of electricity provision. Transports electrical energy over long distances, both nationally and cross-border.
Converter for HVDC submarine transmission
Transforms medium voltage to transmission voltage (AC to DC) power.
Power charging station for EV
Electric mobility needs a reliable power charging infrastructure connected to the distribution network.
