We have experienced considerable success in customizing transformers for local energy converters in private households. Our design experts have helped our customers design several components, e.g. dual active bridge transformers that are integrated in the power converter connected to the residential solar panels.
A key feature of our dual active bridge transformers is that they enable the customer to create bidirectional converters, allowing electricity to flow in two directions. During the daytime, the solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, and the transformer ensures that the solar battery is charged with the generated electricity. After sunset, the solar panels stop generating electricity. The converter will then collect the electricity in the solar battery and transport it to the electrical consumers of the house such as computers, washing machines, and cookers.
Previously, two power converters were installed in the households; one for the storage of electricity, and one for supplying electricity to the consumers. But by mounting a bidirectional component in the power converter only one power converter is needed.
The bidirectional converter also stands out by being highly scalable. Although the converters are designed for households and small companies (app. 2 kW), they may also be used for applications that require a higher wattage (6 or 12 kW). In this case, more converters are simply installed in parallel.
In addition, the transformers can be optimized by the integrated resonance making the power converter even more effective than a traditional power converter. The integrated resonance also means that the transformer takes up very little space since an additional coil is not needed. Here Flux uses a specific coil winding technique that provides the transformers with the desired inductance.
In addition to solar energy Flux is also an important player in the wind power market delivering magnetic components to most wind turbine producers around the world.
The components are for instance used for auxiliary power supplies that monitor the large power supplies of the wind turbines. In this way, the components ensure that the metering equipment is supplied with power and that the desired current and power are generated in the wind turbine.
How does Flux see its Future within Renewables?
Flux sees a huge potential for growth within solar energy and energy storage in the future. We believe that every household will be provided with a household battery that stores the energy generated by the sun or the grid. This way, households may use this battery for charging cars and other consumers. The increasing demand for household batteries will create a growing need for our optimized power magnetics and this will be a significant growth platform for the company.
The progress within wave energy is also being monitored. Wave energy places great demands on technical solutions since they must withstand the harsh conditions in salt water. At the time of writing the final solution for converting wave energy to electricity is being implemented. And when the solution is ready, we are ready.
Explore more of our Greentech business area from this short explainer video.