ABB has supplied the latest generation of fuse switches to Solarcentury to enable advanced monitoring of their solar photovoltaic (PV) farms.
Solarcentury is a global solar energy company, specialising in solar installation and PV systems for businesses who can either choose roof systems or ground mounted solar farms. In October 2014 Solarcentury selected ABB to supply low voltage products including Slimline XR ITS2 Intelligent Tier Switches (ITS), Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) and distribution boards.
A key factor in Solarcentury’s selection of ABB products was the capability of the Slimline XR ITS2, which is a switch disconnector fuse fitted with an intelligent metering and communication unit inside its casing. Conventional switches are used simply to isolate solar panels and other electrical equipment but ABB’s latest ITS can monitor voltage, current and power, and communicate with a high-level management system using the Modbus communications protocol to Solarcentury’s Solarmanager+ platform.
David Minnis, head of engineering for Solarcentury said: “There is growing demand for technology that enhances the operation, monitoring and maintenance of solar farms. By choosing ABB’s Slimline XR ITS2, Solarcentury has been able to offer solar farm operators a tool that keeps them informed about the solar farm’s productivity. Should a fault arise, the tool can identify the precise location so that it can be resolved quickly, helping to reduce maintenance costs.”
The order was placed via Burnell Switchgear, the supplier of bespoke electrical switchgear products, who designed and installed the cost effective packaged substations housing the Slimline XR ITS2 and the medium voltage switchgear and transformers.
Solarcentury commissioned Burnell Switchgear to deliver the power containers for several new solar farms including the UK’s largest solar farm at Southwick near Portsmouth, which has a capacity of 48 MWp.
As well as having high environmental standards, Southwick solar farm is also one of the first to use the latest low voltage technology for remote monitoring, an innovation that will lead to enhanced operational efficiency within the solar industry.
John Blake of Burnell Switchgear said, ”There is growing pressure on the solar industry to supply up to date information on the generation of power and the identification of potential faults, as most solar farms are unmanned remote monitoring is essential. We have for many years used the conventional ABB Slimline switch in our normal course of business and the ITS 2 intelligent switch is a welcome addition to the range, the compact design and simple installation keep costs in check whilst delivering the latest technology.”
The Slimline SR ITS2 is the second-generation intelligent monitoring switch and was introduced by ABB for simple and reliable remote control and monitoring. It has applications in commercial and industrial buildings as well as data centres, hospitals and solar farms.
In the event of a fault or a blown fuse at a solar farm, the ITS will detect a voltage drop and transmit its readings to a control centre. The voltage drop will set off an alarm and will identify exactly where the fault lies, prompting a technician to visit site with the right equipment and spares to rectify the fault and with no need for on-site investigation.
Another benefit of the switch is that the plant’s operator will be able to monitor production in real-time and this knowledge gives security and confidence in the plant’s operation, setting a new standard for environmental sustainability in solar farm operation.
In the case of Southwick solar farm, Solarcentury installed a total of 340 Slimline XR ITS2 switches in 20 cabinets that also contain inverters and MCBs supplied by ABB as well as a 400 V / 33 kV transformers and switchgear, which controls power injected into the local distribution network. The switches monitor voltage of key infrastructure, which is transmitted to a remote control centre in London.
David Minnis added, “We have over 80,000 data points being monitored at Southwick in near real-time. This is a leap forward in terms of solar asset monitoring and using ABB technology has helped us achieve this.”
Len McGanity ABB product manager, said: “This project demonstrates how ABB’s products assist customers to monitor and respond to remote site requirements with the new ITS2 which is based on ABB’s new Emax 2 air circuit breaker technology. We greatly appreciate the initiative by Solarcentury to explore a new technology and by Burnell Switchgear to package the solution intelligently.’’
