Power plant: the power of solar energy

Within this collaboration, the parties involved optimized a power plant for a leading client in Western Africa. The aim of this project was to ensure optimal integration between solar panels and generators. The ultimate goal: the most efficient and reliable energy system. To achieve this, the power plant was significantly upgraded and expanded.

63 generator sets for 16.9MVA

At the start of the project, the plant in Africa consisted of dozens of generator sets. Generator sets that had already been supplied by Royal Van Twist in the past and fitted with InteliCompact NT Mint controllers from ComAp supplied by Controlin. These sets would now be supplemented with dozens of generator sets, bringing the number of generator sets at the power plant to as many as 63. In addition, the power plant would be equipped with solar panels so that a hybrid installation power supply would be available 24/7.

The (test) site at Royal Van Twist played an important role during this project. Among other things, the new controller sets were built here and the conversion panels were prepared. In addition to Controlin and Koninklijke Van Twist, Eltechna, Unica (panel builders for support with the conversion panels) and Van Wezel (for the new sets, supplier of the main distributors for containers) also worked on the realization.

All new and upgraded generator sets are equipped with InteliGen NT(C) BaseBox controllers made by ComAp. InteliVision 5 control panels were used for operation and visualization. To communicate directly with the PV plant, IS-NTC-Hybrid controllers, also made by ComAp, were used. A communication interface was placed between this hybrid controller and the converter. This allows the various components in the hybrid plant to communicate at all times.

A sizeable project, and the question is what exactly it will accomplish. The answer is as simple as it is overwhelming. As a standard, even after conversion, each generator set generates a maximum of 330kVa. Due to the high temperatures on location in Africa (they may rise to 50 degrees) it is adjusted to 300kVa. The old generators generate derated 200kva. So a total of 16.9MVA, a power that makes the term power plant live up to its name.

A good practice run is half the battle

Important were the project test days. On these days, two commissioning engineers from ComAp, visited the test site at Royal Van Twist. On behalf of Controlin, commissioning engineer John van der Stelt was present to monitor, test and commission the new generator sets together with the commissioning engineers from ComAp and Koninklijke Van Twist.

In order not to depend on the weather and because the large number of solar panels to be installed on site cannot be replicated, the working of the hybrid system on the site was tested using a (DC) simulation source. In this way, it was possible to check properly whether there was proper communication between the hybrid plant, the inverters and the PV plant.

The final touches

Not long after the test days, all the elements, including the new generator sets and the conversion panels, went on the plane towards the customer in Africa. The most important days of the entire project were in June of that year. The entire plant was successfully connected, optimized and commissioned on site.