Merus™ Active Harmonic Filters mitigate harmonics and lower noise pollution in a Finnish greenhouse
A lot of energy is needed in year-round greenhouse production because in the winter months, greenhouses are heated and plants are given additional light. Particular challenges in greenhouses are energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable production. In what way could climate emissions from greenhouses be most effectively reduced while increasing production efficiency? Our greenhouse customer was looking for a solution to improve energy efficiency in Närpiö, Finland. Greenhouse lighting appeared as a source of high current harmonics that caused overheating of light bulbs, wires, and other components.
Challenges in the customers greenhouse
The greenhouse lights, totally in 22MW, are a source of high harmonic currents. Especially the 3rd harmonic was causing high current in the neutral wire which resulted in over heating of the wires and other power system components, for example the transformer.
The customer had explored different solutions, in which the noise level and the footprint remained as issues. Furthering the challenge, the solution could not be implemented to the main distribution panel to lower the noise level, as the neutral currents would significantly strain the network, and in the main distribution board power quality solutions would cause resonance with
capacitance in the system.
Solutions that we found for the customer
Due to the customer’s need to solve this issue, they had measurements done by a third party, which led to Merus Power being recommended as the supplier. Merus Power’s suggested the new Merus™ A2-series Active Harmonic Filters as a solution which was supplied through a third party. Merus™ A2-Series filters have a small footprint and low audible noise level, thanks to the modern 3-level topology.
The solution consisted of 24pc Merus™ A2-series 100A Active Harmonic Filters, installed in cubicles and parallel to the loads in the distribution boards. The silence solution was needed because the distribution boards are located in the greenhouse space where the cucumbers are grown and the gardeners work.
Results and customer benefits
- Effective mitigation of harmonics
- Small footprint
- Low noise
With the solution, 3rd, 5th and 7th harmonics were mitigated with minimal noise pollution. As a result, harmonics were mitigated beyond expectations and the workers of the greenhouse felt their wellbeing at work had risen significantly due to the noise pollution being lower than before.
“The harmonics caused by our greenhouse lights have been
eliminated and the wellbeing of our workers has risen due to
significantly lower noise from the active filters.”
– Mr. Jan-Erik Sigg, Owner of Jan-Erik Sigg AB Greenhouse
Contact us to design solutions that fit for your purposes. Our products are modular and easy to scale for very different needs.