Spanish
English
Solar PV Plant SCADA & Remote Monitoring
Monitoring and performance analysis of solar PV plants have become extremely critical due to the increasing cost of operation and maintenance as well as reducing yield due to performance degradation during the life cycle of the plant equipments. This becomes essential to ensure high performance, low downtime and fault detection in a solar PV power plant. On-site weather data, production data from the panel strings, inverters and transformers are required to be continuously collected for monitoring and analysis of performance. Data acquisition from AC and DC control panels are further required for operational monitoring and control of the plant and substation. A well designed monitoring and analytics system assists in reducing the cost of operation and maintenance.
Kalkitech has proven capabilities in communication, integration, automation and advanced analytics. With its vast experience in design, consultancy, project execution of SCADA, metering, performance management and integration projects to the energy utilities, Kalkitech is capable of providing the right monitoring and integration solution for Solar PV customers.
Support Documents
Kalkitech solution for solar PV monitoring and optimization includes a data acquisition system, Supervisory monitoring and control station at plant level and Decision Support System (DSS) at the Central Control Station. Plant level system is for basic data acquisition from DC, AC equipments and weather sensors and for providing PC based monitoring and control system for operational purposes. DSS at central control station is used for advanced analytics, enterprise level monitoring and reporting. The solution is based on Kalkitech's in house products and expertise. The KPIs monitored includes Yield Values, Capture & System Losses, Performance ratio and Efficiency.
Functionally, Kalkitech solution for Grid interactive Solar PV Power Plant consists of:
Functionally, Kalkitech solution for Grid interactive Solar PV Power Plant consists of:
- Plant level monitoring system covering PV Strings, String Junction Boxes/String Combiner Boxes, PCU/Inverters, Protection relays, Energy meters, Weather monitoring station/sensors, LT and HT control panels, DC Switches and Transformers using in-house SYNC communication and RTU products.
SCBs with in-built Sting Monitoring Units measure the values of DC current, DC voltage and DC power and map to the serial RS485 port for communication on Modbus. SYNC DCU installed at the field location connects to multiple String Junction Boxes on RS485 multi-drop loops. New values shall be updated to the FEP in sub-seconds interval based on the response time capability the SMU. The DCU can be configured remotely from the control room. Features of SMS, web server and GPRS are optionally available in the DCU. Inverters/PCUs shall be connected to DCU or RTU on RS485 to communicate on Modbus RTU protocol. Both DC and AC side parameters, status and diagnostics parameters of equipment shall be acquired as available.
- SCADA/HMI server system for continuous on-line monitoring, control, storage, and reporting at plant level. Native communication drivers collects data from DCUs and RTU with time stamp for real time processing, storage, alarming, reporting and displaying. System comprises of SCADA server and client workstation with engineering and run time capabilities. Optional web server provides access to the HMI from remote nodes.
Some of the salient features of the software includes Dynamic configuration, 2D and 3D mimics, Stand-alone and client-server configurations, Redundancy, Historical and Real Time trends, Advanced alarm manager, Access rights system compatible with 21 CFR Part 11, Structured database, Extensive object technology, Report generator, Scheduler, Timetables, Playback facility, Optimized event driven communication, OPC™ DA XML connections, ActiveX® and Java™ Bean container, Import/export of configuration and data in .CSV format, Historical recording, User programs, Multi-media interface and Web Services.
- Alarms, events and trends of all parameters logically grouped and filtered for easy reading. Optional event notification on SMS/e-mail is also available
- Remote communication and data transfer to the Central Control Station.
- Decision Support System (DSS) at Central Control Station with Data Analysis, KPI monitoring and Scheduling. Web portal of DSS is accessible to authorized users. Key parameters can be ported to corporate web site also. Some of the key functions of the DSS includes:
- Centralized storage of data from multiple plant locations
- Calculation of relevant key performance indicators for each plant from the central station so that common standard procedure and methodology are followed
- Comparison of plant wise KPIs for supporting business decision making
- Calculation, monitoring and reporting of consolidated key parameters at enterprise level
- Forecasting the generation capability from common place using common tools and methods
- Scheduling plant-wise generation from central control station and submitting to individual SLDC
Kalkitech SYNC 2000 Data Concentrator Units (DCU) collects DC measurements of Solar PV arrays from the SJB/SCB which has communication capability. SJB/SCB shall be connected to DCU over RS485 or FO links to communicate on Modbus RTU protocol. Upto 64 units of SCB/SJB with 8 channels can be connected to one SYNC 2000 DCU. Multiple DCU shall be used to connect all the SCB/SJB units.
SYNC 2100 series RTU, as typically shown in the diagram above, shall interface all hardwired signals from LT and HT control panels and DC control panels. Hardwired signals include breaker status, protection trip status, DC circuit health status, inverter status, transformer winding/oil temperature. Communication ports are available in RTU for interfacing relays, meters, string monitors. Weather sensors with standard signal outputs can be directly wired to the analog modules of the RTU.
SYNC 3000 Front End Processor (FEP) is the nerve center of system, which integrates all the DCUs and RTUs in the plant centrally to further provide it to SCADA/HMI system and Central Control Station. The FEP communicates with all connected nodes on standard protocols to make the system scalable and vendor independent.
Local SCADA/HMI shall be provided at the plant control room with graphical displays for monitoring plant production and power exchange operations. Object control features provide face plates for operating circuit breakers and other remote operations. The displays including dynamic single line diagrams, data displays, trends and alarms shall be hierarchically organized from plant overview, block views, bay views, device views to the point view providing the operators and engineers with an easy to use environment for the routine operations, monitoring and trouble shooting. The HMI displays can be accessed remotely by authorized users using optional web client feature.
Eltrix, which is power generation optimization platform software from Kalkitech, shall be provided at Central Control Station to function as on line DSS (Decision Support System). DSS collects operational data from the FEP at each plant as shown in the architecture diagram. In addition to monitoring of module Performance Ratio/yield, performance degradation and losses, the system assists in scheduling plant wise generation and sends the schedule to Load Dispatch Center.
The performance degradation is identified by comparing PV plant data (string level DC voltage and current data) to the reference cell of the plant, the reference cell can be practical unit placed at optimum location of the plant with data acquisition units or it can best performing string of the PV plant. Decision support system have capability of identifying best value of the plant through optimum data searches.
SYNC 2100 series RTU, as typically shown in the diagram above, shall interface all hardwired signals from LT and HT control panels and DC control panels. Hardwired signals include breaker status, protection trip status, DC circuit health status, inverter status, transformer winding/oil temperature. Communication ports are available in RTU for interfacing relays, meters, string monitors. Weather sensors with standard signal outputs can be directly wired to the analog modules of the RTU.
SYNC 3000 Front End Processor (FEP) is the nerve center of system, which integrates all the DCUs and RTUs in the plant centrally to further provide it to SCADA/HMI system and Central Control Station. The FEP communicates with all connected nodes on standard protocols to make the system scalable and vendor independent.
Local SCADA/HMI shall be provided at the plant control room with graphical displays for monitoring plant production and power exchange operations. Object control features provide face plates for operating circuit breakers and other remote operations. The displays including dynamic single line diagrams, data displays, trends and alarms shall be hierarchically organized from plant overview, block views, bay views, device views to the point view providing the operators and engineers with an easy to use environment for the routine operations, monitoring and trouble shooting. The HMI displays can be accessed remotely by authorized users using optional web client feature.
Eltrix, which is power generation optimization platform software from Kalkitech, shall be provided at Central Control Station to function as on line DSS (Decision Support System). DSS collects operational data from the FEP at each plant as shown in the architecture diagram. In addition to monitoring of module Performance Ratio/yield, performance degradation and losses, the system assists in scheduling plant wise generation and sends the schedule to Load Dispatch Center.
The performance degradation is identified by comparing PV plant data (string level DC voltage and current data) to the reference cell of the plant, the reference cell can be practical unit placed at optimum location of the plant with data acquisition units or it can best performing string of the PV plant. Decision support system have capability of identifying best value of the plant through optimum data searches.
Key benefit includes:
- Communication Backbone selection
- Ethernet, RF, GPRS, CDMA, 3G, PSTN
- Data Security
- SSL VPN, NERC/CIP
- Multi-protocol Selection
- MODBUS, IEC-101, IEC-104, DNP 3.0
- *IEC-61850-7-420 Ready Device
- Direct Field Interface
- Multiple Field Interface
- RS-232/485; Ethernet; FO
- Utility Meter Interface
- DLMS, Modbus, L&T, Secure
- Data Exchange with LDCs
- ICCP, IEC-104, 101
- IEC 61850-3 Compliant hardware
- Remote Operation
- SOE and Data storage feature
- User friendly displays and reports
- Web access (FTP, Web services)
- Hot Stand by feature
Data Concentrator Unit -DCU -SYNC 25xx
SYNC 25xx DCUs comes with real-time embedded Linux operating system and supports a host of protocols including IEC 61850, IEC 60870-5-101/103/104, DLMS/COSEM, Modbus RTU/TCP as well as proprietary protocols like SPA Bus and Courier. SYNC 2000 devices are also versatile communication devices, with option for adding an internal GPRS/ CDMA modem and supports secure VPN connections over dynamic IP.
Front End Processor - FEP – SYNC 30xx
Kalkitech SYNC 3000 gives the functionalities of a Front End Processor (FEP) that take care the communication with SYNC 2000 and SYNC 2100 at the LV panel room and HT panel room. This handles the communication with DCU and modem, route the data to the Application Server at the Central Control Room. It is also possible to configure VPN so as to handle the dynamic IP registration GPRS modem and to enhance security of the overall system. The router shall connect to the fixed IP of the FEP and establish a connection once it is hooked to GPRS network, thus enabling the connection for data communication. This fixed static IP can be made to be known to the SYNC 2000/2100 at the LV and HT Panel Room.
Remote Terminal Unit – RTU – SYNC 21xx
SYNC 2100 series RTUs are versatile communication system for Smart Grid applications suited for secure rugged applications and customizable for different DI/DO/AI combinations. These are the miniaturized Remote Terminal Units best suited for generation Utility spread across vast area, like Solar PV Array Field, to act as a remote data collection Units. The controller comes with real-time embedded Linux OS, Modbus, IEC-101, 104 protocols, IEC 61850, DNP3, DLMS and supports secure VPN connections.
Decision Support System – DSS - ELTRIX
Eltrix is an intelligent decision support system for energy utilities for optimizing business and operational objectives under environmental, regulatory and market constraints using complex system models and decision models. The key tasks performed includes Forecasting the generation capability as well as scheduling plant-wise generation from central control station and submitting to individual SLDC.
SYNC 25xx DCUs comes with real-time embedded Linux operating system and supports a host of protocols including IEC 61850, IEC 60870-5-101/103/104, DLMS/COSEM, Modbus RTU/TCP as well as proprietary protocols like SPA Bus and Courier. SYNC 2000 devices are also versatile communication devices, with option for adding an internal GPRS/ CDMA modem and supports secure VPN connections over dynamic IP.
Front End Processor - FEP – SYNC 30xx
Kalkitech SYNC 3000 gives the functionalities of a Front End Processor (FEP) that take care the communication with SYNC 2000 and SYNC 2100 at the LV panel room and HT panel room. This handles the communication with DCU and modem, route the data to the Application Server at the Central Control Room. It is also possible to configure VPN so as to handle the dynamic IP registration GPRS modem and to enhance security of the overall system. The router shall connect to the fixed IP of the FEP and establish a connection once it is hooked to GPRS network, thus enabling the connection for data communication. This fixed static IP can be made to be known to the SYNC 2000/2100 at the LV and HT Panel Room.
Remote Terminal Unit – RTU – SYNC 21xx
SYNC 2100 series RTUs are versatile communication system for Smart Grid applications suited for secure rugged applications and customizable for different DI/DO/AI combinations. These are the miniaturized Remote Terminal Units best suited for generation Utility spread across vast area, like Solar PV Array Field, to act as a remote data collection Units. The controller comes with real-time embedded Linux OS, Modbus, IEC-101, 104 protocols, IEC 61850, DNP3, DLMS and supports secure VPN connections.
Decision Support System – DSS - ELTRIX
Eltrix is an intelligent decision support system for energy utilities for optimizing business and operational objectives under environmental, regulatory and market constraints using complex system models and decision models. The key tasks performed includes Forecasting the generation capability as well as scheduling plant-wise generation from central control station and submitting to individual SLDC.
