Solutions and strategies for operation and maintenance of utility-scale solar power plants

This project has developed and introduced an innovative, data-driven framework for optimized O&M of utility-scale PV power plants. Several of the methods and algorithms are already used by Scatec Solar and Equinor in their existing plants. The research in this project has led to new methods and algorithms for O&M which enable improved performance and reliability. The project has combined unique data access from utility-scale PV power plants in different climatic zones and based on different technologieswith advanced data analytics and in-field diagnostic campaigns. The concrete innovations in this project are: - Education of 1 PhD student, 2 master students and a visiting scholar (Fulbright) - A long series of scientific publications and presentations at leading international conferences -Development of new, data-driven algorithms for scheduling cleaning procedures of solar modules. -Development of new, data-driven analysis methods for detecting and diagnosing performance reduction in PV modules and inverters in Scatec Solar's and Equinor's PV plants. -Development of precise algorithms for automatic component diagnostics. - Development of a method for combining drone-based IR inspection and performance analysis for fault detection and diagnostics By coupling tailored O&M tasks with smart condition monitoring, the project can improve the cost-effectiveness and long-term performance of existing PV plants, as well as facilitate the design and development of new ones.

Dette har vært et svært nyttig prosjekt for dets partnere. Prosjektet har utviklet nye, datadrevne, digitale løsninger for effektivt drift og vedlikehold av solparker. Flere av disse har allerede blitt implementert hos selskapene, ytterligere noen vil videreutvikles gjennom videre samarbeid og implementeres senere. Resultatene fra prosjektet muliggjør både billigere og mer presist drift og vedlikehold, noe som både øker produksjonen fra solparkene, øker deres pålitelighet og reduserer kostnadene. Prosjektet har laget en film som oppsummerer hovedresultatene og deres virkninger sett fra selskapene selv. Et nytt prosjekt, IPN PEANUTS, har nylig startet opp der det gode samarbeidet fortsetter. Her blir flere av konseptene dette prosjektet har initiert plukket opp og videreutviklet. Dette gjelder blant annet samkjøringen av avansert databehandling /AI på produksjonsdata kombinert med dronebasert avbildning.

This proposed project brings together the technological know-how of Scatec Solar, a leading, global PV power producer, Statoil, with an extensive O&M experience from the energy industry on very large scales, Prediktor, a pioneering SCADA software developer for the PV industry, and IFE, the leading, Norwegian research group on PV technology The project will develop and introduce an innovative, data-driven framework for optimized O&M to be used by Scatec Solar and Statoil in their existing and future, utility-scale PV plants. This will be used to improve performance and reliability based on climatic zone-dependent and site-specific data, combined with advanced data analytics and in-field diagnostic campaigns. The concrete innovations in this project are: -Development of new, climatic zone-dependent packages for instrumentation and data analytics. These will enable the implementation of the new, data-driven O&M methods to be developed, and lead to significantly shorter lead times and reduced risk for future PV plant developments. -Development of new, data-driven algorithms for scheduling cleaning procedures, as well as new, climatic-zone dependent methods for performing cost-effective cleaning of solar modules. -Development of new, data-driven analysis methods for detecting and diagnosing performance reduction in PV modules, inverters and trackers in Scatec Solar's and Statoils's PV plants. -Development of precise algorithms for automatic component diagnostics. These will be incorporated into Prediktor's SCADA software in a subsequent industrial development. Today, data-driven O&M is an issue at the very forefront of PV-related R&D. By coupling tailored O&M tasks with smart condition monitoring, the project will improve the cost-effectiveness and long-term performance of existing PV plants, as well as facilitate the design and development of new ones.