A solar power plant of 5 MW in Western India faced challenges monitoring crucial components such as combiner boxes, inverters, and transformers — all essential for aggregating generation data. The electricity network connected to the plant also lacked real-time data and forecasts from the plant, which are critical for energy planning and conducting audits.
These challenges limited the plant’s ability to optimise efficiency, reduce downtime, and fulfil its obligations to the electricity network operator. To resolve these issues, the plant partnered with OrxaGrid, a SCOPE venture.
OrxaGrid Solution
The plant collaborated with OrxaGrid, which deployed its advanced Grid Analytics Platform (GAP) throughout the facility. GAP is equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and gateways that monitor:
- Voltage, current, and temperature
- Bidirectional active/reactive power
- Power quality and asset condition
- Environmental conditions and accumulated energy — all in real time
This setup facilitates early detection of potential problems, reducing the risk of equipment failure and maintenance costs. It also enables real-time data streaming to grid operators, improving grid flow management and power purchase planning.
Monitoring Results
The monitoring system has been in operation since early 2023 and has collected a wealth of data on the performance of the solar PV system. The dashboards provide:
- Real-time data visualisation
- Performance trends and anomaly detection
- Alerts for critical events
The data can be used to identify and address several potential issues at the plant, including:
- PV Module degradation — via product specification, engineering design, and generated power
- Shading losses — via engineering design and generated power
- Incident Angle Modifier (IAM) losses — via product specification and engineering design
- Inverter losses and failures — via power and energy outputs
- Transformer losses and failures — via power, energy, and temperature outputs
- Performance optimisation — suggesting tracking capabilities and cleaning cycles
At the network level, GAP provides valuable tools for:
- Solar forecasting
- Grid balancing
- Energy auditing
Impact of OrxaGrid’s Implementation
The introduction of OrxaGrid’s sensors has significantly improved the plant’s operational efficiency through:
- AI-Driven Proactive Maintenance: Reduces downtime and ensures optimal performance
- Real-Time Data for Network Operators: Equips operators with real-time and forecasted solar generation data, improving grid management
- Remote Control Functions: Streamlines operations and enhances efficiency
The plant can potentially experience several additional advantages:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Improved Energy Production | Sensor data helps optimise asset performance and identify energy losses |
| Optimised Asset Management | Predictive insights prevent maintenance issues, reducing downtime |
| Cost Reduction | Enhancements in energy production lead to lower costs for renewable producers |
| Enhanced Safety | Sensors identify potential hazards such as fires or other safety risks |
Conclusion
OrxaGrid’s GAP proves to be a crucial asset for the renewable energy industry. By delivering essential data and insights, it improves energy production, optimises asset management, and prevents faults. The advanced analytics not only enhance plant management and maintenance, but also empower grid operators to balance their networks more effectively — making renewable energy more reliable and economically viable for all stakeholders.
Interested in how OrxaGrid can help your plant? Contact us to learn more.