About the Project
The project aims to research and develop a new range of conversion solutions for large power photovoltaic power plants (> 50 MW), incorporating in a single conversion platform, the various aspects of the conversion circuit and integration into the grid, namely: inverter, transformer, medium voltage (MV) switchgear, sensing and distributed digital control platforms, ensuring distribution and operational coordination, with a view to maximizing their potential. The scope of study, research and development proposed here will naturally focus on all the aspects mentioned above, through the search for new solutions for the development of power modules, transformers and digital and algorithmic control platforms, up to the design of the self-supporting platform.
The broad spectrum of competences that the development of the solution proposed here implies is evident in the framework of partners that make up the active team allocated to this project. Efacec Energia – leader of the promoting consortium, University of Minho and Itecons combine the experience and expectations of the industry, as well as the “know-how” and scientific and technical capacity that characterize the SCTN entities. Given the project’s application scope, it is equally important to contribute to the operational needs and gains in a real exploration environment, a contribution that will undoubtedly be promoted by the partner Efacec Engenharia, which will actively contribute in the specification phase and in the promotion of an installation for the proof-of-concept and demonstration phase.
The proposal present in the Megasolar project fits precisely in this technological aspect, seeking to contribute to the global objectives stated above, based on the following pillars:
- Efficiency – increasing efficiency is a key point and objectives will be established for each of the subsystems present in the project, whether in normal operation, in reducing the consumption of auxiliaries, and also in reducing consumption in standby mode;
- Competitiveness – the photovoltaic solar market is quite competitive, so solutions will be sought that enhance the €/kW ratio, in various perspectives: increased power, reduced cost of the solution, or increased range of operating characteristics that have impact on the scale of the plant, or on the integrated design of the solution, focusing on the impact in terms of reducing installation costs;
- Scope of solutions – the availability of technical solutions capable of being installed in diverse and extreme operating scenarios, in environmental terms, or others, must be addressed, together with the characteristics that allow transport;
- Flexibility – flexibility in terms of application, both in terms of adaptation and configuration, which is decisive in interfaces with other systems, especially with regard to the interface with the electrical network;
- Digitization – increased capacity for data acquisition, information processing and autonomous recognition of the operating status, promoting the platform for the execution of advanced operating control methodologies, optimized and integrated asset management, self-diagnosis and maintenance assistance;
- Sustainability – development of equipment with an emphasis on the theme of ecodesign, using more sustainable materials and, whenever possible, recycled and/or recyclable, in order to reduce, across the global solution, its environmental impact.
Deliverables
| Task | Deliverable | Dissemination Level | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | D1.1 – Report of the State of art and technical requirements by subsystem | Confidential* | Available |
| A2 | D2.1 – Global Requirement Definition | Public | Not Available |
| A2 | D2.2 – Report of the specification for the power conversion equipment | Public | Not Available |
| A2 | D2.3 – Report of the specification of new functions for connecting to the grid | Public | Not Available |
| A2 | D2.4 – Report of the specification for MV equipments – Transformer and Switchgear | Public | Not Available |
| A2 | D2.5 – Report of the specification of the structure integrated solution for the equipments and respective individual enclosures | Confidential* | Not Available |
| A2 | D2.6 – Report of the specification for algorithms, sensing, digital model and ICT | Confidential* | Not Available |
| A3 | D3.1 – Description of the power module | Confidential* | Not Available |
| A3 | D3.2 – Description of the development of the conversion solution for interfacing with the grid and storage system | Confidential* | Not Available |
| A3 | D3.3 – Description of the development of the transformer and switchgear solution | Confidential* | Not Available |
| A3 | D3.4 – Description of the development for the global equipment platform structure | Confidential* | Not Available |
| A3 | D3.5 – Description of the development of the supervision and control modules of the sensing and ICT solutions | Confidential* | Not Available |
| A4 | D4.1 – Integration, testing and validation for the power conversion solution | Confidential* | Not Available |
| A4 | D4.2 – Integration, testing and validation of the components, transformer and switchgear | Confidential* | Not Available |
| A4 | D4.3 – Integration, testing and validation of the integrated structure solution and respective enclosures of the constituent equipment | Confidential* | Not Available |
| A4 | D4.4 – Integration, testing and validation of the algorithms, sensing and ICT layer | Public | Not Available |
| A5 | D5.2 – Integration of conversion and placement platform in test facility | Public | Not Available |
| A5 | D5.3 – Description of the developed algorithms and respective field testing | Public | Not Available |
| A5 | D5.4 – Benefits of the new methodologies and consequent cost reduction | Pulic | Not Available |
| A6 | D6.1 – Dissemination Plan | Public | Not Available |
| A6 | D6.2 – Website for the project | Public | Not Available |
| A6 | D6.3 – Posters, papers and publications with Megasolar results | Public | Not Available |
| A7 | D7.1 – Project execution interim report | Public | Not Available |
| A7 | D7.2 – Project execution final report | Public | Not Available |
Co-promoters of the Project:
- EFACEC Energia, Máquinas e Equipamentos Elétricos, S.A.
- Automation and Smart Energy department
- Transformers Department
- EFACEC Engenharia e Sistemas, S.A.
- Renewable Energy Department
Instituto de Investigação e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico para a Construção, Energia, Ambiente e Sustentabilidade
Universidade do Minho