Intersolar 2015: meteocontrol delivers holistic monitoring solutions and quality assurance

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In its role as a global PV service provider, meteocontrol GmbH is presenting the latest developments in its portfolio of monitoring systems in Hall B2, booth 419, at Intersolar Europe in Munich, Germany. The modular blue’Log X-Series of data loggers, in combination with web portals and the SCADA Center, is a flexible, high-performance solution for monitoring both small and large PV systems as well as PV power plants. Thanks to its broad range of services for supporting all phases of PV projects, meteocontrol enables investors and operators of new and existing PV systems to achieve optimal yield levels.

The blue’Log X-6000 data logger from meteocontrol is being officially launched at Intersolar 2015. With the introduction of this new model for PV power plants, meteocontrol – well-known as a specialist in remote monitoring – enhances the solutions available in the blue’Log X-Series which now comprises the models X-1000, X-3000 and X-6000. Thus the functions of this innovative data logger series are now available for systems in the utility-scale range. At the same time, the new firmware for all X-Series models also offers expanded functions such as Power Control in order to comply with legal requirements pertaining to grid feed-in management, power reduction in relation to on-site energy consumption (IPL, zero feed-in) and compatibility with other inverters and sensors. The focus of meteocontrol's ongoing development has also been on internationalization: The blue’Log X-Series satisfies all legally mandated approval and licensing requirements for the growing markets in Asia and the United States. meteocontrol also recognizes the importance of international business strategies: The blue’Log user interface is currently offered in German, English and Chinese, and additional language support will be added in the future.

blue’Log M-Series: Energy management for residential environments

The energy manager for home use is currently under development. The blue’Log M-Series stands for modern and easy visualization of key measured values, for example, on-site energy consumption, battery status and energy balance. By taking consumption and solar energy forecast data into account, the monitoring solution supports the intelligent management of the PV system, battery storage and household appliances – all at the same time. meteocontrol also heads a consortium of companies participating in the iHEM research project being conducted at the University of Oldenburg with supplementary federal funding from the German government. The project is focused on the efficient use of renewable energy sources in single- and multi-family homes in combination with the intelligent generation, storage and consumption of thermal and electrical energy. The findings and experiences from this project are constantly incorporated in the product development of the blue’Log M-Series.

SCADA Center: Local operation management of PV power plants

The development of the SCADA Center is meteocontrol's response to the demands of project developers who are looking for local operation management and control of PV power plants located at remote sites and of large free-field systems. The SCADA Center is equipped with interfaces for all system components and third-party systems of grid operators and energy suppliers. Detailed options for the real-time visualization of measured values, and intelligent alarm management allow for quick identification of incidents or failures. "Thanks to the SCADA Center, we can respond more effectively to the requirements of our international customers and offer an optimal solution for the PV power plant segment," says Jens Wening, Technical Director at meteocontrol. "Together with the blue’log X-Series of data loggers and the VCOM Virtual Control Room, the SCADA Center is a complete package that satisfies the specific demands in this performance class." The first pilot installations are now equipped with the new system.

Monitoring: Effective processing and troubleshooting

The proven monitoring portals safer’Sun Public, safer’Sun Professional and the operation management platform VCOM virtual control room are continuously developed by meteocontrol based on the individual needs of customers as expressed in their feedback and the specific demands of a dynamic market. In addition to improved usability and performance, analysis diagrams for individual systems and portfolios are developed and specific requirements for determining system availability, performance ratio and yield losses are implemented. In conjunction with the blue’Log X-Series, seamless remote access to real-time values enables fast troubleshooting and operational efficiency. Future plans call for opening the PV platform to additional energy providers and consumers.

Grid feed-in management and direct marketing of solar energy

In addition to the proven functions for realizing feed-in management, zero feed-in / zero export can also be realized as demanded by grid operators in various countries. The Intelligent Power Limit (IPL) function ensures that no electricity is fed into the public grid at any time. The direct marketer interface allows direct marketers to view the current status of the actual feed-in and enables them to remotely reduce feed-in power in compliance with regulations in the EEG (German Renewable Energy Law) 2014. The direct marketer interface from meteocontrol thus satisfies requirements of the market bonus scheme.

Quality assurance: Long-term high yield for existing systems

meteocontrol supports PV projects worldwide with its quality assurance services – covering every phase from planning to operation management. Investors and operators of existing PV systems also profit from meteocontrol’s independent consulting services because only systems that are professionally monitored and regularly maintained will deliver the expected yield. Often yield losses are attributed to unrealistically high forecasts. This is why meteocontrol carefully examines the assumptions of yield reports as they relate to the configuration and components of the PV system. If the comparative evaluation of the forecast data and the actual system installation does not reveal any faults, meteocontrol then conducts random spot checks of the system. These include visual and thermographic inspections as well as the performance check of modules on-site and the measurement of the string DC parameters. Based on the results of these tests the cause of errors and even insidious errors can be revealed. Investments in quality assurance pay off over the long-term in the form of high yields.

www.meteocontrol.com