Preparing for the Winter
As fall is approaching, operators are beginning to start preparing their remote assets for the winter season. Shorter days, reduced solar production, snowfall, and extended periods of cloudy weather can all impact the performance of solar powered systems. For critical infrastructure, even a brief power interruption can result in costly downtime, increased maintenance, and operational disruptions.
Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) use a solid state technology with no-moving parts to generate DC power from the combustion of natural gas or propane. TEGs and solar power are both proven solutions for remote, off-grid applications with thousands of installs deployed. But what happens when they’re combined into a single power system?
The result is a reliable, efficient solution that leverages the strengths of both technologies to provide dependable power year-round. Instead of relying solely on available sunlight during the winter months, a TEG-Solar Hybrid system provides dual fuel year-round power. This way, even when solar production is reduced due to poor weather or short days, the system continues to produce power from the TEG.
What is a TEG-Solar Hybrid System?
A TEG-Solar Hybrid system combines a TEG with solar panels, a battery bank, and a charge control unit (CCU) to create dependable off-grid power. During periods of strong sunlight, the solar array supplies most of the site's electrical demand while charging the batteries. As solar output decreases due to cloud coverage, snow accumulation, or seasonal conditions, the TEG seamlessly provides supplemental power to maintain battery charge and keep critical equipment operating without interruption. The result is a power system that automatically adapts to changing environmental conditions while maximizing both reliability and efficiency.
The Benefits
Increased Reliability
Unlike solar power, which depends on weather and daylight conditions, a TEG can provide continuous power as long as fuel is available. During periods of reduced solar production, the TEG supplements the system to maintain battery charge and ensure uninterrupted operation. For critical applications such as cathodic protection, continuous power helps maintain system performance and reduces the risk of outages.
Eliminated Weather Dependance
Solar energy is an excellent renewable power source, but its output varies with available sunlight. By integrating a TEG, operators no longer have to rely solely on favorable weather conditions. Whether solar production is reduced by a winter storm, heavy cloud cover, or snow-covered panels, the TEG provides dependable backup power to keep the system operating.
Smaller PV Panels and Battery Banks
Standalone solar systems are often oversized to ensure adequate performance during extended periods of poor weather or during short days in winter. A hybrid system reduces this requirement by allowing the TEG to supply power whenever solar production falls short. As a result, solar panels and battery banks can often be sized for average operating conditions rather than worst-case scenarios, reducing both upfront costs and system footprint.
Lower Fuel Consumption for TEGs
A standalone TEG operates continuously and consumes fuel around the clock. In a hybrid system, however, solar panels provide much of the site's energy whenever sunlight is available, allowing the TEG to operate less frequently. This reduces fuel consumption, lowers operating costs, and decreases maintenance requirements while maintaining reliable power.
Improved Battery Life
Batteries can be one of the most expensive components of any remote power system. Repeated deep discharge cycles shorten battery life and increase replacement costs. By supplementing solar production when needed, TEGs helps maintain a healthier battery state of charge, reducing stress on the batteries and extending their service life.
Fewer Emergency Site Visits
Remote locations can be difficult and costly to access during any season, but especially in the winter. By providing a more dependable source of power, hybrid systems reduce the likelihood of unexpected outages and emergency maintenance trips, helping operators keep critical infrastructure online throughout the season.
Conclusion
By evaluating power requirements before the cold weather arrives, operators can be more prepared for the winter and reduce the risk of outages.
A hybrid TEG-solar system combines the continuous power of a thermoelectric generator with the renewable energy of solar panels to provide dependable, year-round off-grid power. Whether supporting cathodic protection, SCADA systems, or remote monitoring equipment, hybrid systems help keep critical infrastructure operating when reliability matters most.
As winter approaches, investing in a hybrid power solution can help ensure your remote assets remain powered when reliability matters most.