Top 5 technologies shaping the future of renewable energy integration
Top 5 technologies shaping the future of renewable energy integration
Top 5 technologies shaping the future of renewable energy integration
The renewable energy sector is expanding at an unprecedented rate. According to the U.S. Energy Information Agency (EIA), renewable generation will supply 44% of U.S. electricity by 2050, while the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) reports a record 29.8 gigawatts of new solar capacity installed in just the first three quarters of 2024.
As our customers continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in renewable energy, this acceleration in renewable adoption isn't just about meeting sustainability targets—it's about implementing increasingly cost-effective and efficient solutions that adapt to our rapidly changing energy landscape. The evolution presents unprecedented opportunities to enhance system performance, efficiency, and longevity while driving down costs.
Drawing from the innovative work we see our customers and partners doing across the industry, here are the five breakthrough technologies that are changing how we approach renewable energy integration.
1. Increasing Power Density
Our customers are driving the evolution of power density in collection systems, representing one of our industry's most significant upcoming advances. We're seeing growing momentum from 1,500V DC to 2,000V DC systems, particularly in utility-scale and commercial solar projects. By operating at increased voltages, these systems reduce resistive losses and enable more streamlined designs with reduced cabling and other equipment requirements, translating directly to a lower levelized cost of energy (LCOE).
The transition to 2000V systems introduces challenges such as updated certification standards, new safety protocols, and the development of compatible components. Our teams are working closely with partners to develop solutions like advanced combiner boxes and inverters that can safely and efficiently handle increased power densities. As UL and other certification bodies adapt their standards to these new thresholds, we're confident we will see a more standardized effort toward supporting 2000V systems emerge across the sector, facilitating broader adoption of these cutting-edge solutions.
2. Digital Substations
While we've made significant strides from analog to digital across the industry, asset owners are leading the next wave to smarter, more streamlined substations. By replacing traditional hardwired connections with digital process bus systems, we can reduce equipment costs – up to 15% in lifetime savings – while fundamentally improving how we monitor and control renewable energy assets. For example, implementing centralized control and protection systems enables real-time performance monitoring and more informed decision-making.
We're proud to support our partners' digital transformation with native IEC-61850 devices to improve uptime and reliability across renewable energy assets. The detailed operational data from these systems ensures optimal asset performance while simplifying project execution, providing scalable solutions that can grow with our industry's expanding needs.
3. The Future of DC Systems
We're seeing growing interest from developers and operators in DC technology's potential for more efficient renewable energy integration. This momentum around DC architectures is particularly pertinent to microgrid and EV charging applications, where seamless integration of solar generation and battery storage is critical. By reducing conversion stages between DC sources, storage, and loads, these systems improve overall efficiency while providing more flexible solutions for projects constrained by utility power capacity.
This approach is particularly compelling for DC fast charging stations, which are one of the fastest-growing loads on the U.S. grid. When these installations face utility power constraints, DC bus systems with integrated solar generation and battery storage can effectively overcome grid capacity limitations while optimizing overall system efficiency.
Here at ABB, we’ve been collaborating with partners to develop DC-based solutions that optimize power usage and enhance system resilience. As the industry advances these technologies, we see increased opportunities for DC architectures to support critical applications like EV charging infrastructure.
4. Service and Life Extensions
As renewable assets mature, asset owners and operators are starting to explore innovative approaches to maximizing lifecycle value through operations and maintenance. From repowering wind farms to upgrading solar infrastructure, these strategic maintenance and retrofitting solutions play a vital role in ensuring long-term project success.
Each renewable energy project requires a customized approach to life extension. Our solutions can include capacity upgrades through electrical balance of system (EBOS) components and replacing aging breakers. We've developed effective approaches like rolling replacements and cradle-to-cradle upgrades, where breakers can be replaced with upgraded versions while making minimal system adjustments. Drawing on decades of experience supporting long-lifespan energy assets – including nuclear power plants from the 1970s – we’re helping keep our partners’ systems running efficiently over extended operational lifetimes. The goal is to maintain project productivity while preventing stranded assets through targeted upgrades and modernization.
5. Solid-State Breaker Technology
As renewable projects become larger and more complex, developers and EPCs are seeking new approaches to system protection. A growing interest in semiconductor-based protection, rather than traditional mechanical switches, is driving innovation in circuit breaker technology. By replacing traditional moving parts with semiconductors and advanced software algorithms, solid-state circuit breakers can detect and respond to faults 100 times faster than conventional electromechanical devices - interrupting extreme currents in microseconds rather than milliseconds.
This response speed has critical implications for system safety and reliability. Because minimal energy is released during current interruption, the risk of arc flash is significantly reduced. The technology is particularly valuable for energy storage systems and islanded grids, where rapid fault isolation can prevent system-wide shutdowns. Additionally, these breakers achieve substantially lower power losses during operation than traditional technologies, making them well-suited for energy-dense installations requiring high efficiency.
Looking Ahead
The renewable energy sector continues to evolve through the innovative spirit of developers, EPCs, and OEMs who push the boundaries of what's possible. To the visionaries implementing new technologies, the problem-solvers finding creative ways to overcome grid constraints, and the forward-thinkers reimagining how renewable energy systems operate—we see you.
Through our shared commitment to sustainability, together we are accelerating a cleaner energy future. The technologies we're advancing together are just the beginning, and we're excited to continue supporting your mission to transform how we generate, transmit, and utilize renewable energy.
February 2025 Brian Nelson
ABB U.S. Electrification — Renewables Segment Leader
