Reliable Monitoring Data for PV plants

Transcription

1 Reliable Monitoring Data for PV plants

2 Mind4Energy Mind4Energy was founded in 2011 by four enthusiastic engineers with a common idea: delivering an industrial quality data acquisition solution for monitoring of photovoltaic plants. Mind4Energy s monitoring solution contributes to solving one of the most important challenges we have as a society: reliable and sustainable energy supply. Mind4Energy partners with Phoenix Contact Mind4Energy s solution goes much further than most other monitoring systems available on the market. The solution was developed based on solid PV engineering know-how and field experience. What s more, Mind4Energy resolutely opted for a solution consisting of industrial components to assure quality, reliability and flexibility. To accomplish this, the company teamed up with Phoenix Contact, a global leader in industrial automation. Mind4Energy provides a full service: we develop the software for communication with all devices on site, we assemble the cabinets, we install, connect and configure the data loggers on site. Mind4Energy provides support and maintenance for its Data Acquisition solution (VPN connection required for this service). Our Data Acquisition hardware can work with Mind4Energy s portal or with a 3rd party portal. 2

3 MOST COMPLETE INDUSTRIAL DATA ACQUISITION SOLUTION FOR PV PEAK PERFORMANCE Next gen data acquisition through PLC technology In recent years, huge investments have been made in the solar energy sector. Now this sector has entered a new phase, where the emphasis is on optimization. PV-facilities are now being operated and managed so that they deliver maximum output. This is not only financially interesting but also adds to the sustainability of the industry. An advanced monitoring system is an absolute necessity for optimization of PV plants. The basis of the data logger is a modular PLC to which I/Os can be connected to communicate with inverters, sensors and other components in an installation. The PLC communicates via a fixed, mobile internet or satellite connection depending on the application with a server to which the users can log in to consult and analyze the data. 3

4 Portal provider Power analyzer String monitoring

5 SCADA SCADA Meteo Sensors Transformer monitoring Ambient temperature Module temperature

6 Features Decentralized, modular concept Solution can handle commercial, industrial and utility scale projects. Flexible solution I/O cards can be added in function of the project needs. Memory Local memory for data storage in case of transmission problems. Optional components UPS and battery 3G modem or router with VPN capability fiber optic capability satellite communication can be included integration of CCTV is possible 01 Meteo stations Meteo stations are integrated. The sampling methodology is approved by the sensor manufacturer and can be adjusted according to the client s requirements. 02 Energy meters Energy meters and power analyzers can be integrated. AC-side monitoring is possible. 03 Power control Data logging (reading) and writing (control). The system is capable of receiving net operator signals for power control of the inverters. 04 SCADA Possibility to connect to local SCADA. 05 Robust solution Mind4Energy uses industrial quality PLCs. These devices are also used in industrial automation application and are more robust then PCs. For instance a PLC can resist peak electrical conditions (voltage peaks and dips) and can operate in a wider temperature range (-25 C C). The different readings are brought straight to the PLC without additional converter units. 6

7 01 Fiber optic Mind4Energy can integrate fiber optic (FO) communication in its data acquisition hardware. We have experience with both single-mode and multi-mode cabling and star, bus or ring networks. Managed and unmanaged switches can be used. The FO patch panels and converters can be integrated in our data acquisition cabinets. This offers better protection and is a lower cost solution. The FO converters will be connected directly to the UPS in order to assure data transmission in case of power failure. 02 Meteo stations We provide full meteo stations. Following sensors are integrated: irradiation, ambient temperature, module temperature, wind speed, wind direction, precipitation. Our sampling methodology is approved by the sensor manufacturer. We work primarily with digital devices in order to limit errors due to cable length. An off-grid solution with PV modules, a battery charger and batteries is available. 7

8 03 AC side monitoring Mind4Energy s PV monitoring can include detailed measurements on the AC side of the PV plant. To accomplish this, a power analyzer is connected to the AC side. A power analyzer allows a detailed analysis of the AC side of the system (voltages, currents, frequency, power factor, harmonics ). This is particularly useful in case of an unstable public grid or if there are local effects on the grid (for instance high harmonics or sudden voltage drops, ). The variables measured by the power analyzer (such as active and reactive power, power factor) are used in Mind4Energy s demand control system. 04 Power Control Curtailing, active and reactive power control Our Data Acquisition solution can receive control signals from the electricity grid operator for power reduction or power quality control. Our algorithms allow for quick response to any grid demands. Direct interaction with inverters without data converters, increasing reliability and reducing response time. 8

9 05 SCADA Successfully operating a PV-plant depends highly on logging reliable data and visualizing it on a real time basis in an intuitive user interface. That s why Mind4Energy uses proven industrial quality PLC s for its SCADA monitoring system. Thanks to an internally developed protocol, the Mind4Energy SCADA is able to visualize key parameters of the PV-installation within seconds. This enables the customer to instantly detect power loss, communication issues and malfunctioning components. 9

10 01 Hyères France 02 Salhouse United Kingdom Project highlights 3MWp Data acquisition of 51 SMA and Danfoss Inverters Meteo station by Mind4Energy Fiber optic communication by Mind4Energy Power control according to ERDF requirements Project highlights 5MWp Data acquisition of 160 Huawei Inverters 2 Mind4Energy meteo stations Data acquisition of AC power analyzers Fiber optic and main communications cabinet by Mind4Energy, including 3G failover Power control according to UK Power Networks requirements 10

11 References 03 Canal Logistics Brussels, Belgium Project highlights 3,5MWp Data acquisition of 5 Vacon central inverters Mind4Energy offers an end-to-end solution that comes with everything, from sensors Data acquisition of AC power analyzers and data loggers all the way through to the software and visualization. The application gives us all the information we need to keep a watch on the installations and to determine the cause of any faults Data acquisition of transformers and MV switch gear Jan Heyse, CEO of Orka Power NV String monitoring Mind4Energy meteo stations 11

12 04 Elms farm United Kingdom Project Elms farm is a 30MW site in Oxfordshire, UK. The site has 650 SMA inverters connected to 12 transformer stations. Mind4Energy supplied, installed and commissioned 13 datalogger cabinets (including the FIT meter logger) with AC power analyzers and meteo stations. We have now integrated the Mind4Energy solution on 5 solar farms and have another 4 solar farms in construction, totalling 92MWp. The on-site expertise coupled with the pre and post construction support is exceptional and we will continue to use them as our partner of choice for monitoring and site control both in the UK and Overseas. Mark Hogan, CEO of WEL For more information about our data acquisition solutions T M info@mind4energy.com Derbystraat 215 Blok D, 9051 Ghent, Belgium