Utilizing full planning potential
Siemens Smart Generation Solutions
Article from
pv magazine
February 2014
Authors
Martin Bischoff, Siemens AG
Marcus König, Siemens AG
Ingmar Schüle, Fraunhofer ITWM
Kai Plociennik, Fraunhofer ITWM
Answers for energy.
Photos: Siemens
Applications
& Installations
Applications
& Installations
satisfy the criteria are grayed out. In this
manner, variants can be short-listed and
further narrowed down to finally submit
Each point repthe most interesting layout variant to the
resents one
customer for decision, optionally with a
completely evaluset of alternatives.
ated layout. Via
One of the latest development results
drop-down menus
is
the incorporation of weather uncerplanners can select
tainties. In business models and guarancharacteristics for
tees, weather changes represent a risk that
x-axis, y-axis and
color scale. In these
can be hard to calculate. In order to make
figures the specific yield (kWh/kWp) over project costs (€/Wp) is illustrated. In the figure displayed
informed decisions, so-called “exceeding
above, the points are colored according to their internal rate of return. Red points represent layouts
probabilities” are used. Typically denoted
with the highest internal rates of return. In other examples of the interface, the points can be colas P10, P50, and P90, these values are
ored according to their DC/AC ratio, i.e. the ratio of total nominal module power to total nominal
attained or exceeded with a probability of
inverter power. Layouts with low DC/AC ratios (blue) exhibit relatively high yield, but involve higher
10%, 50% or 90%. In PVplanet, planners
investment costs than variants with high DC/AC ratios (red).
have the possibility to evaluate the sensitivities of all weather-dependent characteristics, such as energy output, revenue,
two layout VariantS following two different Planning concePtS
or net-present value. It is interesting to
note that some layout variants are more
Large utility-scale PV plants like the one above can be made more economically efficient provided adequate
robust against weather changes than othconsideration is given to their layout at the pre-planning stage.
ers. This “robustness” represents another
important decision criterion.
PVplanet development started in April
2011, based on a three year old predecessor version,
andsufficiently
has been in use for planconcepts struggle
to provide
extensive evaluations
a proper
ning forfor
two
years. underThe software is prostanding of influencing
andAlthough
their
tected byfactors
patents.
Siemens
interdependencies.
withdrew from the photovoltaic EPC
Hence, thisbusiness
is why in
Siemens
2012, theEnergy
software has been in
joined forces with
theplanning
Fraunhofer
Insti- power plants
use for
of hybrid
tute for Industrial
Mathematics
to unit Smart
by the newly
founded business
PVplanet: PVplanet, the PV Plant Engineering Toolbox, realizes a new, software- develop the PVplanet
software.
This planGeneration
Solutions
since the beginIn the individual layout (left), tables and inverters are placed individually for very high area
utilizaning
2013. Smart
Generation Solutool avoids
theofiterative
trial-andbased planning
concept for large-scale ground-mounted photovoltaic power plants, ning
tion. In the block layout (right), patterns of predefined inverter blocks are placed on the land
area.
error
planning
process
anddecentralized
simplifies energy gentions
addresses
developed by Generally,
Siemensblock
AG inlayouts
cooperation
with
the Fraunhofer
Institute
fora lower
Industrial
have a lower
construction
effort, but
also entail
energy output.
the planning eration
of tailor-made,
economi- of renewable
with incorporation
Which
of
these
plant
layouts
is
superior
cannot
be
answered
in
general;
this
all
depends
projectMathematics. Layout planners not associated with Siemens AG can also profit on
cally
efficient
photovoltaic
power
plants. are a hybridenergies.
Business
activities
specific conditions.
from this software as Siemens offers a technical consulting service and applies this Instead of planning
layout power plants,
ization ofone
on-single
and off-grid
and
improving
it
in
a
stepwise
manner,
flexibility
of
conventional
power plants,
planning tool to optimize the economic efficiency of their customer’s plant layouts,
PVplanet
a number
of layouts
ner, the planner gains an overview of the outs with a standard inverter-block
leadgenerates
aggregation
of smaller
energy generawrite Siemens’ Martin Bischoff and Marcus König and Fraunhofer’s Ingmar Schüle and
according
planner’s
entire solution spectrum, allowing him to better results than complex
layoutsto the
tion
systemsspecifications.
to so-called modular power
Kai Plociennik.
every plants,
Subsequently,
the characteristics
of allmonitoring of
or her to immediately understand the with high area utilization, where
and performance
are determined.
outputpower plants.
consequences of any parameter change. table is placed independently?variants
For these
photovoltaicEnergy
and wind
PVplanet
helps
Siemens
A question: “When
decreasing
tiltvariations
calculated
a physical
plant
simula- to extend its
The impact
of tilt the
angle
onplanning,
questions
and many
others is
like
them, with
During
it is essential
to keep
ratio,
specific energy
angle, one canperformance
reduce the table
distances
an eyeouton multiple,
often
competing answers
tion andcan
key finance
measures
are deter- and ensures
detailed and
project-specific
own planning
competency
levelized
cost ofwithenergy objectives.
and other Consider,
and increase put,
the area
utilization
mined
using athe
financial
model.
Among power plant
be foundfor
in example,
the abovemaxdiagrams.
Clarifyquality of
its photovoltaic
out taking higher
table losses.
ing those
a planimizing
the revenue
of problems
the powerwithout
plant such
other
things, layouts.
yield, performance ratio,
characteristics
willWhat
then is
become
immethe effect on inverter
utilization, energy while maintaining
an attractive
costs, levelized
diately visible.
ning tool
typicallyperforinvolves ainvestment
dramati- and operation
PVplanet cannot
be purchased as comoutput and revenue?” These and a variety mance ratio. Simultaneously,
investment
energy,mercial
internalsoftware.
rate of return
cally higher input
of effort andcost
timeoffrom
Only and
recently can nonpresent
are alllayout
calculated.
Siemens
planners profit from this
of other parameters
aresolar
at theconundrums
planner’s costs and the experts
risk of in
extensive
Solving
differentmaintefields, andnet
can
often value
planningoftool.
Siemens
offers a technical
disposal to influence
thethe
quality
of of
theinverters
nanceaffect
and repair
worka should
be multiple
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The characteristics
all these
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chain of
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PVplanet
clearly laid
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Per- efficiency
mized. Uncertainties,
yield, costs
andplant.
economic
of software above
tools. all weather tions are thenconsulting
manently changing
module
prices,
projchanges
(but also
and maincial userlayinterface.
Here, theplant
planner
can or to review
the power
plant?
Does
a different
modTheoperation
planner selects
the optimum
to optimize
layouts
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for According
the plant’stolifetime),
identify
advantages
andplant
drawbacks
alltheir customects in new countries,
andelectrical
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ule type ormarkets
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intercontheir specific
planning
existing
layoutsoffor
of new
modules
change the
levelized thecriteria
matic regions nection
pose ever
challenges.
complicate
determination
an opti- down
variants,
understand
interdependencies
they canof narrow
the set
ers. Utilizing
the full planning potential
cost of energy?
Which
considMoreover, predominant
solutions
haveoftoall the
mized
plant configuration
and the
sensitivities
of planning
of layout variants,
suchcalas, forand
example:
results
in betterparameters
photovoltaic power plant
layoutmanner
variantsifmaximizes
revenue,
of the
overall
be revised in ered
a regular
com- culation
and,
according
to the
“The
plantbusiness
shall havemodel.
a nominal
power
of layouts
andproject-specific
brings us one step closer to
Due
to do
time 16 MWp,
constraints,
especially
in investment
petitive offersorarethe
toperformance
be made to reflect
requirements grid
andparity.
customer
requests,
ratio, and
what
while
not exceeding
S Martin
Bischoff, Marcus König,
the Do
offer
phase,
conventional
planning
Schüle & Kai Plociennik
changing conditions.
select
best-fitting layout. In Ingmar
this manthese variants have in common?
laycosts
of €18 million.”
Points that
dothe
not
PVPlanet’S central uSer interface
Utilizing full
planning potential
60
62
02 / 2014 | www.pv-magazine.com
02 / 2014 | www.pv-magazine.com
Applications
Applications
& Installations
& Installations
satisfy the criteria
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oth- than others. This “robustness”
ers. This “robustness”
represents another
represents another
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decision criterion.
PVplanet development
PVplanet development
started in April
started in April
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from the photovoltaic
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2012, the
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Which of these
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ner, the planner
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ered layoutered
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what do
and what
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not exceeding
while notinvestment
exceeding investment
grid parity.grid
S parity.
Martin Bischoff,
S Martin
Marcus
Bischoff,
König,Marcus König,
Ingmar SchüleIngmar
& Kai Plociennik
Schüle & Kai Plociennik
these variants
these
have
variants
in common?
have in Do
common?
lay- costs
Do layof €18 million.”
costs of €18 million.”
Points thatPoints
do notthat do not
PVPlanet’S
PVPlanet’S
central uSer
central
interface
uSer interface
62
62
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02 / 2014 | www.pv-magazine.com
Article from
pv magazine
Page 60 and 62, Copyright 02/2014
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