Renewable project power partner

Choosing a renewable project power partner

Four things to consider before beginning a project

The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) predicts that the UK’s renewables sector will be worth £41 billion by 2035, providing significant growth opportunities for engineering companies. But they cannot succeed alone — green energy projects need partners and suppliers to ensure power reliability. In this article, Mike Torbitt, managing director of Cressall, offers advice on what to look for in a renewable project power partner.

Data from the 2024 report Green Skills Outlook, which surveyed 1,000 global business leaders, reveals that 93 per cent of respondents consider green skills to be important to their company’s operations and objectives. Yet, only half are planning to upskill their staff on these capabilities — opening a worryingly large green skills gap.

To effectively transition to a more sustainable economy, businesses should look to partner with organisations with the necessary green skills. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals highlight the importance of partnerships to improve knowledge sharing, accelerate access to renewable technologies for the least developed countries and enhance progress measurements.

This need is particularly pronounced within the power sector, since renewable projects rely on intermittent power sources such as wind, solar and tidal. These energy sources are less predictable than fossil fuels, meaning they can cause issues with the grid if it cannot handle energy fluctuations. Therefore, entering a partnership with a supplier who understands these challenges is a must.

So, what markers should businesses look for in potential power partnerships to ensure their success?

Proven experience

For renewable projects, sector-specific experience is a must, especially in the case where the business themselves is new to green infrastructure projects.

Partnering with an experienced supplier allows companies to tap into their partner’s knowledge of the challenges and technical demands associated with renewable energy projects. Cressall has extensive experience in providing resistors for renewable infrastructure projects, including wind, solar, tidal and biomass. We also partner with multinational energy services companies such as GE Vernova to equip them with harmonic filter resistors for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) projects.

HVDC infrastructure contributes to the success of a range of offshore projects, enabling effective transmission between the grid and remote windfarms or tidal projects. However, when HVDC is converted back to alternating current (AC) at the local grid level, this results in harmonic distortion, which can lead to overheating and increased likelihood of equipment failure.

Cressall’s thorough understanding of HVDC transmission allows us to provide tailored harmonic filter resistors to mitigate this problem and increase the efficiency of energy transmission projects.

Durable components

Another key consideration when selecting a supplier for a green energy project is whether it can manufacture components that withstand harsh conditions.

As of February 2025, the UK has over 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind either installed or committed. While offshore windfarms benefit from higher wind speeds and consistency in direction, the effects of harsh winds and saltwater can be damaging for the equipment.

Opting for a power partner that can produce durable components is beneficial for offshore developments. For example, resistors used in these kinds of projects can be manufactured from materials with a high chromium content, such as 316 grade stainless steel, which helps to create a protective layer against corrosion caused by saltwater.

Thorough quality assurance

Renewable energy equipment needs to perform reliably in challenging and changeable environments, underscoring the importance of thorough testing and quality assurance

When selecting a power partner, it’s worthwhile researching its quality control process. In the case of resistors, a range of specialist tests are used during product development to ensure dependable performance under real-world conditions.

Essential quality measures include thermovision testing, which help engineers to detect hotspots and assess overall thermal performance. Understanding thermal behaviour enables appropriate cooling selection, reducing the risk of thermal shock, lubricant degradation or component failure.

Vibration testing resistors for shock and seismic resistance is equally important. This is particularly relevant for offshore wind farms or grid-side equipment in earthquake-prone regions.

Custom engineering capabilities

The benefit of partnering with a supplier that offers custom solutions is that they can be tailored to the specific challenge that they are facing.

Although resistors are a well-developed, mature technology, custom design allows proven techniques to be applied for new problems. Custom resistor engineering capabilities offer purchasers increased choice when it comes to cooling methods, materials and power ratings.

While made-to-order resistors offer a wider range of options, it’s worth looking for a manufacturer that also offers off-the-shelf solutions. Many renewable projects face hold ups, whether that is due to community opposition or delays connecting to the grid. For developments with tight timelines, ready-made solutions are ideal as they can decrease further delays during the product design, test and manufacture process.

Partnering with the right power partners and suppliers can help infrastructure developers to accelerate the green transition, but it’s important not to rush into ineffective partnerships in the hurry to roll out renewable projects. Considering whether a potential manufacturing partner is the right fit helps to ensure the success of renewable projects, both in the development phase and once operational.

Could your renewable project benefit from some resistor expertise? Reach out to our knowledgeable team.

CRE785

Ensuring uptime in data centres

ENSURING UPTIME IN DATA CENTRES

HOW RESISTOR SOLUTIONS POWER AND PROTECT DIGITAL NETWORKS

Data centres are the unseen backbone of the digital economy. According to TechUK, they contribute £4.7 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy every year — a figure that continues to grow alongside demand for cloud computing, AI processing and digital services. But behind the servers and storage units lies a complex electrical infrastructure that must perform seamlessly. Here, Mike Torbitt, managing director of Cressall, explains how resistors help safeguard data centres from costly power disruptions.

The digital transformation of businesses across every sector has placed extreme pressure on data centres. Handling greater volumes of information faster and more efficiently demands increasingly sophisticated infrastructure and additional power. Ensuring this infrastructure runs reliably and without interruption is essential, particularly as outages can result in significant financial losses, data corruption and reputational damage.

KEEPING POWER UNDER CONTROL

One of the biggest challenges data centre operators face is power stability. Voltage fluctuations, whether sudden drops or surges, can severely disrupt sensitive IT equipment such as servers, storage arrays and networking gear, which are all finely tuned to operate within specific voltage ranges. Even small deviations can lead to data corruption, hardware malfunctions or premature wear. Over time, these fluctuations not only drive up maintenance costs but also shorten the lifespan of expensive infrastructure.

Power interruptions, even just momentary losses, can have equally damaging consequences. A brief outage can bring entire systems offline, forcing emergency shutdowns and triggering lengthy reboot sequences. In high-availability environments, where uninterrupted uptime is paramount, even a few seconds of downtime can result in lost transactions, missed service level agreements and compromised services for thousands of users.

Excess energy is another factor that needs to be managed efficiently to prevent overheating and maintain energy efficiency. With data centres under growing scrutiny for their environmental footprint, electrical infrastructure must be designed to support both performance and sustainability.

RESISTOR SOLUTIONS FOR MODERN DATA CENTRES

Resistor technology is vital in supporting the performance, safety and longevity of data centre electrical systems. Neutral earthing resistors (NERS), in particular, are key to maintaining power resilience and operational safety.

NERs are primarily used to limit the current that flows during an earth fault, protecting both personnel and equipment. If a fault occurs, such as a short circuit to ground, NERs restrict the fault current to safe levels, preventing damage to transformers, switchgear and other components. By supporting controlled fault management, NERs help data centres stay operational while faults are safely isolated and resolved. This ultimately contributes to improved system uptime and reduced risk of severe damage.

Another resistor type that supports continuous, reliable power in data centres is dynamic braking resistors (DBRs). These resistors help to regulate power during transitions between power sources, particularly when switching to backup systems such as generators or uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).

Voltage fluctuations during these transitions can damage connected equipment or cause trip events. DBRs mitigate this by absorbing excess electrical energy and convert it into heat, preventing overvoltage conditions and enabling a smoother transition. By controlling power flow, they reduce stress on the system and help avoid unscheduled outages.

Both NERs and DBRs can be tailored to meet the specific demands of data centres, including space constraints, cooling considerations and compliance with international electrical standards. Cressall’s resistor designs also prioritise ease of maintenance, high thermal performance and long operational life — crucial for facilities like data centres that must operate without interruption.

As power demands grow and data centre operators look for ways to expand sustainably, the role of resistors will only become more important. From protecting critical equipment to ensuring compliance with safety standards, resistor technologies such as NERs and DBRs will be crucial in keeping the UK’s digital infrastructure secure, efficient and online.

Cressall has decades of experience in supporting vital electrical infrastructure. To find out how our resistors could benefit your data centre application, get in touch with our team.

CRE728

Preparing for change

PREPARING FOR CHANGE

RESISTORS HELP TO GET THE MOST OUT OF WIND POWER

In January 2025, the UK government announced new measures to unlock up to thirteen major wind projects as part of its Plan for Change. But with wind curtailment — the switching off of wind turbines — reaching record levels in 2024, how can we make the most of the energy generated? Here, Mike Torbitt, managing director of Cressall, explores the role that resistors can play in preventing the wastage of wind power.

The government’s Plan for Change aims to modernise the ‘outdated and archaic’ infrastructure regulations to increase the pace at which offshore wind projects are constructed. In total, the measures could generate up to 16 Gigawatts (GW) of electricity and around £20-30 billion of clean energy investment.

The announcement is promising, but much of the newly harnessed wind power could be wasted. Turbines are frequently turned off in periods of high wind, to protect the grid system from being overwhelmed by the power generated.

According to a report from electricity supplier Octopus, enough energy was wasted in the first nine months of 2024 to power two million UK homes for a year. Not only does wind curtailment limit the UK’s ability to fully transition to clean energy, but it also results in higher bills for consumers.

And the problem is growing — the costs of wind curtailment will reach £3.7 billion by 2030. As the UK continues to invest in wind power, it’s important that additional energy generated is put to good use. So, why is energy being wasted and how can this be prevented?

DISTANCE ISSUES

The key reason for switching off wind turbines is distance — both from the grid and from demand.

Offshore farms are much further from the grid than their onshore counterparts, meaning there are less readily available connection points to distribute power to the transmission network. Consequently, in the case of strong winds, there are fewer options available to distribute the energy elsewhere.

The remote location of offshore windfarms also means they are located far from high-demand areas. For example, Scotland currently has seven operational offshore windfarms, many of which are located near the north of the country where population density is low. Demand for energy is greater elsewhere, but inefficient cable networks mean that a lot of power is lost during transmission.

HANDLING THE EXCESS

Energy experts have several suggestions on how to tackle wind curtailment. For instance, the Octopus report recommends zonal pricing, which means that people living near turbines can benefit from cheaper energy rather than it going to waste. The research suggests that businesses could save in the region of 65 to 99 per cent on energy costs by moving to Scotland and benefitting from zonal pricing. While the prospect of lower bills would hopefully encourage people to welcome the development of renewable energy projects within their communities, moving to energy-abundant areas isn’t feasible for all businesses.

Another way to minimise wastage is by improving the infrastructure that transmits energy from offshore sites to high-demand areas. In March 2025, construction will begin on the Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1), which will enable the transmission of energy from Torness in Scotland to Hawthorn Pit in the North East of England. Once complete, the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) project will deliver enough electricity for two million homes.

HVDC enables efficient power transmission over long distances between offshore wind farms and the grid, thanks to its consistent current density. Resistor technology is essential in HVDC systems, safeguarding against grid failures by absorbing excess wind energy until the transfer is safely halted. Additionally, DC neutral earthing resistors provide further protection to the system, both onshore and offshore, within HVDC converter transformers.

Cressall has extensive experience in supplying resistors for renewable projects, including a GE Vernova partnership covering five HVDC projects in the North Sea.

The government’s aim to amend inflexible planning restrictions and boost wind power generation projects through its Plan for Change initiative is a welcome development. However, to create real change, the rollout of energy transmission projects must keep pace with offshore wind developments. HVDC systems supported with reliable resistor technology will enable the UK to reduce wind curtailment and make the most of the renewable resources available.

Contact a member of the Cressall team for advice on selecting the right resistors for your renewable project.

CRE66

Enabling great British energy

ENABLING GREAT BRITISH ENERGY

A ZERO-CARBON GRID REQUIRES SPECIFIC TECHNOLOGIES TO ENSURE RELIABILITY

As part of Labour’s plan to boost the UK’s renewable energy production, ‘Great British Energy’ will see the production of a greater number of floating offshore wind farms and tidal power projects. However, for these technologies to be a success, it’s essential to have the right enabling mechanisms in place. Here, Mike Torbitt, Cressall’s managing director, explains the role of resistor technology in making GB Energy a success.

While the exact details about what GB Energy will involve are still uncertain, we can paint a pretty good picture of it from the current information at hand. Starmer’s government intends to invest £8.3 billion of funding into a new, publicly owned green power company as part of wider energy security and sustainability goals.

DELVING INTO GB ENERGY

GB Energy will work with the private sector to provide investment into emerging energy technologies like green hydrogen, floating offshore windfarms and tidal power. It will also scale investment into existing renewable technologies like onshore wind and solar power.

By boosting the UK’s renewable energy power, GB Energy is projected to create 650,000 new jobs across the UK, lower energy bills, increase energy security and create a zero-carbon energy system to the UK by 2030. Labour has pledged to establish GB Energy within its first few months of parliament by passing a new Energy Independence Act, meaning we could see GB Energy materialise by the end of the year.

While the benefits of transitioning to a 100 per cent zero-carbon energy system are abundantly clear, there are certain logistical and technological considerations to make to eliminate fossil fuels from the energy system completely.

THE CHALLENGES OF RENEWABLES

Whether it’s energy from the Sun, sea or wind, renewables have one thing in common — their input energy is extremely variable. For tidal and wind projects, the turbines work in a very similar way, so manufacturers must ensure they can safely manage what can often be high and unpredictable surges of power.

There may be times where winds or waves are so strong that high inrush currents occur. These can result in overvoltages in the system, leading to component damage, or even failure in extreme cases. When renewables like these make up the entire energy system, preventing component failure from scenarios that we know will occur at some point is essential to continuity of supply.

As renewable resources grow in sophistication, it is vital that other systems also keep pace in order to effectively manage the power they create.

GETTING IN CONTROL

Overvoltage issues can be remedied by using resistor technologies, which all work by limiting or regulating the flow of electronic current in a circuit. Depending on the specific renewable application, there are different solutions to prevent overvoltages.

For tidal turbines, a dynamic braking resistor (DBR) can be integrated into the generation and control circuit to protect against any excess power generated by strong currents. Cressall’s EV2 advanced, water-cooled resistor is designed for these applications. The range is modular, so multiple resistors can be combined to handle power outputs up to one Megawatt. The EV2 also boasts an IP56 ingress protection rating, making it able to withstand harsh marine environments and suitable for tidal turbine applications.

In wind turbines, overvoltages are avoided by using a pre-insertion resistor (PIR). Insulated for the full system voltage, PIRs like Cressall’s mitigate against temporary overvoltages, such as those caused by exceptionally strong winds. They also absorb and control transient magnetising currents within transformers throughout the network. This control helps keep voltages consistent with minimal dips, reducing potential disturbances for users of the power network.

While the specifics of GB Energy are still yet to be announced, a fully renewable energy grid is certainly on the cards in the coming years. The industry will need to consider the importance of having the right technology in place to deal with the challenges that renewables bring, and make green energy a viable system nationwide.

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