The PV industry has already transformed its practices and technology, to deliver vast improvements in costs and reliability of PV system components, notably on modules and inverters.
In an integrated view though, PV system performance emerges from, but is not limited to the performance of an installation's components.
There are further improvements to be achieved on a system level at the design and operational phases. The Performance Plus research project will examine and make possible such improvements
The Performance Plus project, financed by the European Commission under its 7th framework programme, will focus on system-level improvements and deliver a series of tools, models and programs to increase the performance and lifetime of PV installations.
The Performance Plus hardware and software toolbox will include: modeling tools for more robust design; operational modeling tools for system output optimization, analysis of integrated energy management, storage control and short-term forecasting for improved grid integration; best practices for real-time monitoring and control, sensors communication and feedback.
"Through Performance Plus, we are exploring new systematic approaches to improving PV projects and driving down costs," said Achim Woyte, R&D manager of project co-ordinator 3E. "Not only are we pushing the industry forward with new ideas and models for better operations, we are also making sure we provide practical tools and tips to make our research immediately applicable for PV stakeholders."
The project is being carried out by the international consortium of research and industrial partners 3E nv/sa, Alitec SRL, Interuniversitair Micro-electronica Centrum VZW, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana, Carl von Ossietzky Universitaet Oldenburg, and the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH.
A unique user group composed of large portfolio owners and strong EPC and operations and maintenance contractors including Clean Economic Energy AG (CEE) and the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) will support the consortium and provide valuable validation and input on results.
"By supporting the consortium with input and data from our parks, we ensure the applicability of the results and contribute to the global development of clean energy production said Gerhard Mütter, technical director for PV at CEE AG.
To find out more about the project and consortium call 3E communications manager Claire Grandadam on +32 2 229 2610 or by email to claire.grandadam@3E.eu.
http://www.3e.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/PR_PerformancePlus_Launch_20140305.pdf
