Soft-PLC Control for Solar
CASE STUDY
Soft-PLC control for solar operations
In the rapidly evolving solar energy environment it is imperative for solar plant owners to have a high degree of control, including:
- Energy export limitation (static and dynamic)
- Grid network connection and grid operator control
- Zone control
- Remote control for energy trading
- Reactive/active (power factor) control
THE SOLUTION
All required control functionality for the solar plant asset manager is made available securely and remotely through the Ardexa integrated digital control platform.
The functionality is deployed by remotely downloading the logi.cals RTS platform on the existing edge device. Using an Ardexa secure tunnel to access the RTS, the controls engineer can develop, deploy and test the various control routines. The RTS has built in drivers to directly read and write to Modbus equipment on the network.
BENEFITS
REPEATABLE AND FLEXIBLE
Once the PLC logic has been implemented on a specific plant configuration and equipment, it is simply a matter of downloading the logi.RTS soft-PLC on the other plants and copying the configuration.
No further development is required. Importantly, as a plant changes over time and new equipment is installed, then the logic can be rapidly adjusted in IEC 61131-3 programming standards. As a globally accepted programming standard for industrial control, this ensures that no client will have ‘black box’ controllers in these energy plants again.
ABOUT LOGI.CALS
Since 1987 logi.cals GmbH have been developing automation software and are a recognised leader in soft-Programmable Logic Controllers (“PLC”).
More than 30,000 engineers worldwide use logi.cals software to automate complex systems including solar plants, hydroelectric power plants, steel mills, as well as buildings, ships, buses, machines and much more.
EXCELLENT RESULTS IN RAPID TIME
Led by the client appointed controls engineer, the platform has been implemented across multiple energy plants across Europe. These plants ranged from 300kWp to 25MWp, each with optimal results. Implementation was delivered remotely using data rapidly accessible in the Ardexa cloud for troubleshooting and controller tuning, where required.
LOW COST DEPLOYMENT
Ardexa Agent and logi.cals RTS are able to share edge computers and logic may be replicated for multiple installations, resulting in cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Remote implementation as the standard also means disruption to existing operations is minimized.
A STRONG COLLABORATION
logi.cals and Ardexa have developed a robust working relationship developed over many years. Collaboration at all levels is very strong to enable work on a number of solutions across various industries. The systems work in coordination to deliver cloud-connected PLC solutions.