Renewable Energy for a Brighter Tomorrow
Renewables integration is a central component of a more flexible, decentralised grid.
New technologies such as bifacial solar panels and vertical-axis wind turbines are finding increasing applications across towns and cities worldwide. These solutions allow companies and consumers to become more environmentally responsible while benefiting financially from selling their own clean energy back to utilities.
Indeed, in the UK alone, data from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme shows that more than a quarter of a million certified installations of small-scale renewables were made in 2024 - a 7% increase compared to 2023, which itself was a record year for installations.
It's the same story in many other European countries, where government grants and loans make investing in solar, wind, heat pumps, and battery energy storage more favourable for powering homes and businesses.
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How can renewables work seamlessly and efficiently for broader energy management systems?
There are systems and integration factors to be considered, as many buildings have legacy electrical systems that aren't necessarily optimised for distributed energy resources, so compatibility can be a complex challenge.
Multiple communication protocols are required for real-time monitoring and control. Furthermore, grid-tied systems require inverters to manage bidirectional power flow and maintain grid stability, while synchronisation of multiple energy sources must be intelligently coordinated.
Other factors, such as power quality and grid stability, come into play. Renewables' variability can cause voltage fluctuations, harmonic distortions, or surges, which must be controlled. Load balancing and demand response strategies involve selecting suitable energy storage technologies.
Engineers are at the forefront of integrating renewables through intelligent energy management
These efforts include the marriage of many systems and components which fit together for operational performance and reliability. These include:
- Power conversion and grid integration involving bidirectional inverters and maximum power point tracking controllers, rectifiers and grid synchronisation relays
- Energy storage and management using battery management systems, energy storage inverters and supercapacitors
- Communication and control systems comprising smart energy meters, energy management system controllers, IoT sensors and gateways and communication protocols
- Power quality and protection systems such as harmonic filters, voltage regulators, surge protection devices and anti-islanding protection
- Demand response and load balancing solutions combining smart load controllers, V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) chargers and automated demand response systems
- AI-driven optimisation and forecasting, including predictive analytics software, AI-based Fault Detection, and decentralised energy trading interfaces, share energy between users and local grids.
These components and systems provide the underlying technologies that support an effective renewable energy management system. Together, they can ensure dependable operation, stability, and efficiency.
Are you working on an energy management project that involves renewable integration? If so, you'll need precision components with rugged performance. From the latest semiconductors through to embedded systems, Avnet Silica has an extensive portfolio of products from a broad ecosystem of suppliers.
We intentionally stock industrial-grade products that are on long-life road maps. As an authorised source for every product we offer, you'll never be concerned over whether your device will live up to expectations.
Our experts speak your language
Our technical experts have worked on renewable energy applications for years and understand what it takes for you to be successful. You'll appreciate this as you integrate new functionality into your design, like connectivity around Internet of Things technology.
Our team brings a number of design tools to accelerate your product design. We have block diagrams and reference designs based on years of successful energy product releases. Avnet Silica has created development tools that bring together all of the components in a system-level approach. If that's part of your strategy, these fully integrated kits allow you to see how all system elements will perform, from sensor to processor and even to the cloud.
Once your design is complete, we'll take your product through full testing and regulatory certification. When you choose Avnet Silica, you select a partner with you through every stage of your renewable product's lifecycle.
Energy Management Overview
Smarter energy management approaches bring greater efficiency, lower costs, and a more resilient power grid. Effective energy management strategies are already transforming the world around us.
Working on an Energy Management project?
Our experts bring insights that extend beyond the datasheet, availability and price. The combined experience contained within our network covers thousands of projects across different customers, markets, regions and technologies. We will pull together the right team from our collective expertise to focus on your application, providing valuable ideas and recommendations to improve your product and accelerate its journey from the initial concept out into the world.
Power
Powering Energy Management
Power electronics play a vital role in energy management systems, with devices like inverters and converters enabling the conversion, control, and management of electrical power.