Automation | Solnova

Control system for energy-efficient production on solar power plant

One of the world’s biggest solar power plants is the Solnova plant near Sevilla in Spain. The plant is based on concentrated solar power (CSP) designed by Danish Aalborg CSP and equipped with boiler control and switching system from Init.

 

Our favourite type of project is one where we can apply both our process knowledge and automation skills combined with IT competences to develop solutions that support sustainable development. This project for Solnova is a great example of one such project.

solenergi med Solnova-anlægget

Aspiration

Effective control of energy power plant

When it was built in 2009, the Solnova Solar Power Station was among the world’s largest concentrated solar power (CSP) plants.

 

The plant was built to replace traditional energy sources with green energy. More concretely, the intended ability of the solar power plant was to:

 

  • Generate 250 MW of power (from five units each generating 50 MW).
  • Supply electricity to more than 30,000 households in Spain (approx. 90,000 people)
  • Reduce CO2 emissions by 31,400 tons per year

 

In order to obtain optimal power from the sun, effective control of the entire plant is essential.

Solution:

Joint effort ensures robust control system

Init delivered the control system and electrical panels for the power plant’s heat exchanger and boiler delivered by Aalborg CSP.

 

Solnova had a clear vision for the plant and Init made a control philosophy to fulfil the vision. To this end, Init’s engineers joined forces with Aalborg CSP’s technology experts and the customer team to analyse and define what was needed to achieve the goal, taking electrical, mechanical and environmental concerns into consideration.

 

To fulfil the identified requirements, we installed a redundant control system based on Rockwell/Allen Bradley PLC system with local HMI. The system ensures close to 100% up time and safe operation, even in case of failure in one system. We implemented all functionality needed to operate the plants in interfaces for the common control room at site.

 

Subsequently, we built, tested and adjusted the solution together on-site to ensure optimal production.

solar power plant

Result

Paving the way for Spain’s green transition

All five plants operate in conjunction with other solar power solutions. Staff can operate all processes from local control rooms where operators supervise and control all five plants.

 

These plants play an important role in Spain’s transition towards renewable energy.

Fact box

Facts about the solar power plant

 

It consists of five units with 50 kilometres of parabolic troughs each.

 

The troughs adjust according to the sun using solar energy to heat a pipe with circulating oil. The oil is used to feed a boiler which is heated to 500-600 degrees.

 

The steam generated from the boiler and overheater is then directed to a turbine which produces electricity via a generator.

 

Init’s deliveries

  • Local HMI with Factory Talk
  • Interface to plant overall SCADA system
  • Maintenance and diagnostic tools integrated in local HMI
  • Electrical Panels designed in SEE Electrical/CADdy++
  • Instrumentation and calibration
  • Commissioning, supervision and SAT
  • Plant optimisation

 

Reach out

for more information

Troels Severinsen

Director, Marine & Navy

+45 40 28 59 43

[email protected]

Init Aalborg, Denmark