Calgary, Canada – November 2024 – A rural microgrid in Alberta, Canada, has increased its solar and wind energy integration by 24% after deploying the ABB GFD233A103 3BHE022294R0103 power module. The project, completed in September 2024, addresses a key challenge for rural microgrids: balancing variable renewable energy (VRE) output with local electricity demand—critical for reducing reliance on diesel generators.
The Challenge: Variable Renewables Created Grid Instability
The Alberta microgrid powers 500+ rural homes, a school, and two agricultural facilities, drawing energy from a 5MW solar farm and 3MW wind turbine. Prior to the GFD233A103 upgrade, the microgrid struggled with two VRE-related issues:
- Voltage Fluctuations: When solar output spiked (e.g., midday) or wind dropped (e.g., calm evenings), the microgrid’s old power modules couldn’t adjust voltage quickly enough. This caused lights to flicker, damaged farm equipment (like irrigation pumps), and forced the grid to curtail 15–20% of solar/wind energy to avoid blackouts.
- Diesel Generator Overuse: During low VRE periods, the microgrid relied on three diesel generators to meet demand. The old modules couldn’t coordinate generator output with remaining VRE, leading to over-generation and higher fuel costs—up to CAD$8,000 monthly.
With the microgrid aiming to cut diesel use by 50% by 2026, the instability and curtailment issues were major barriers. “We had plenty of solar and wind energy, but we couldn’t use it reliably,” said Jamie Morrison, the microgrid’s project manager. “Curtailing renewables and burning more diesel defeated the purpose of our sustainability goals.”
After a competitive tender, the microgrid selected the ABB GFD233A103 for its VRE management capabilities, cold-weather resilience, and integration with ABB’s MicroSCADA system:
- Fast Voltage Regulation: The GFD233A103 uses ABB’s Grid Stabilization Technology (GST) to adjust voltage in 0.05-second increments—fast enough to smooth solar/wind fluctuations. It also reduces curtailment by storing excess VRE in the microgrid’s 2MWh battery storage system.
- VRE-Diesel Coordination: The module communicates in real time with the microgrid’s solar/wind inverters and diesel generators. It calculates the optimal mix of VRE and diesel output, starting/stopping generators only when necessary. For example, if wind drops to 1MW, the GFD233A103 starts one diesel generator (not three) to cover the gap.
- Cold-Weather Performance: Designed for Alberta’s harsh winters (-30°C to +25°C), the GFD233A103 includes a built-in heater and low-temperature lubricants. It operates reliably even in -25°C conditions, where the old modules often froze and failed.
- Community Visibility: The module feeds real-time VRE, diesel, and battery data to a public dashboard, letting residents track how much energy comes from renewables—building community support for the microgrid.
Results: More Renewables, Less Diesel
Two months post-upgrade, the microgrid’s metrics show significant progress:
- Renewable integration up 24%: Curtailed solar/wind energy dropped from 18% to 3%, adding 80–100 MWh of clean energy monthly.
- Diesel use down 35%: The GFD233A103’s coordination reduced diesel fuel costs by CAD$2,800 monthly, with projections to hit 50% reduction by 2025.
- Equipment damage eliminated: Voltage fluctuations are gone, with zero reports of damaged home or farm equipment since the upgrade.
“The GFD233A103 turned our variable renewables into a strength, not a problem,” Morrison said. “We’re using more clean energy, saving money on diesel, and keeping the grid stable—something we couldn’t do before. It’s a win for the community and the planet.”
Emily Carter, ABB’s North American microgrid solutions lead, highlighted the GFD233A103’s role in rural electrification. “Rural microgrids are key to decarbonizing remote areas, but they need tools to manage VRE,” she said. “The GFD233A103 3BHE022294R0103 is that tool—delivering the stability and efficiency needed to make renewables work for everyone.”
The Alberta microgrid team is now working with ABB to expand the project, adding a 1MW hydro turbine and 3 more GFD233A103 modules by Q3 2025.
