The rise of MegaWatt applications
Megawatt applications are becoming increasingly prevalent in modern infrastructure. Examples include:
Energy production: Wind turbines ranging from 5 to 10 MW and large-scale solar parks require extensive grid emulation and power testing. Modern wind and solar energy projects use inverters and grid connections that must be able to handle high power levels, often under fluctuating conditions. These installations must be subjected to tests that simulate grid instability, frequency control, black-start functionality and harmonic disturbances. For solar PV systems, the response of the systems to changing irradiation and temperature is also evaluated. Offshore wind projects have additional requirements for robustness and EMC behaviour. Test setups often include AC grid emulators, power analysers and systems for simulating energy buffers and loads. Compliance with grid code requirements, such as grid-fault ride-through and reactive power control, is crucial for certification and large-scale application.
- Energy storage: BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems) in the MW range are essential for grid stabilisation. They require extensive charging/discharging tests. The energy market is changing rapidly, with decentralised storage, peak shaving and grid-independent systems becoming increasingly important. For manufacturers of battery modules and complete storage solutions, it is essential to test systems realistically for behaviour during rapid charge and discharge cycles, voltage variations, temperature changes and power fluctuations. Test setups in this segment often include advanced battery emulation with dynamic profiles (such as according to IEC 62660 or ISO 12405) and cyclic life testing, with regenerative load functionality contributing to energy efficiency in test labs.
- Industrial processes: High-power electrical installations are increasingly being used in sectors such as chemicals, metalworking and heavy manufacturing. Examples include electrolysis installations for green hydrogen production, industrial furnaces and induction heating. These applications typically operate in the MW range and require highly stable and configurable power sources. Testing focuses on thermal behaviour, power response, compatibility with grid conditions and robustness under continuous operation. Long-term endurance tests are also carried out, with the regenerative functionality of the test system contributing to cost and energy control.
- E-mobility and transport: In addition to passenger cars, trucks, electric buses, rail applications and even ships and aircraft are increasingly being electrified. These systems use traction converters and charging infrastructure that quickly exceed the megawatt threshold. Test facilities for this sector must not only test power, but also simulate dynamic loads such as acceleration, hill climbing or regenerative braking. AC/DC power supplies and grid emulators are used to simulate various scenarios. Reliability, interoperability and compliance with standards (e.g. EN 50155 for rail) are central to the test requirements.
- Electrical Power Converters: Power converters that can convert energy in both directions are fundamental to the interconnection of AC and DC networks. The development of these converters is crucial within the energy landscape, for example when integrating solar PV, wind, battery storage and electric mobility. Extensive test cycles are required both during the R&D phase and in production environments to validate efficiency, reliability, response to faults, thermal behaviour and grid interaction. Modern test platforms therefore offer extensive functions for simulating grid variations, load cycles and control algorithms to test these converters under realistic conditions.
