Client Schneider Electric
Location Cestas, France
Sectors Utilities
The challenge
Test the high-voltage output of a solar farm before go-live
As 2015 drew to a close, the developers of Europe’s largest photovoltaic solar farm were getting ready to flick the ‘on’ switch. There was just one more thing to do, though: Schneider Electric needed to test and validate the system off the grid due to delays in grid connection. To do so, a simulation of the 33 kV grid connection was required – so our high-voltage experts were called in to help.
Project fact file
Output of solar farm
Size of site
Local grid connection
The solution
Expert design puts solar farm through its paces
Drawing on vast experience in the renewables sector, our high-voltage engineers worked closely with Schneider Electric to design a load testing system. Power generators, inverters, a loadbank and a 33 kV transformer were connected to the high-voltage cables of the solar farm – mirroring the eventual connection to the local transmission network. Remote monitoring of the generators ensured their continual availability during the testing phase.
the aggreko difference
No other company can match Aggreko's experience in the renewables sector.
The impact
Solar farm up and running quickly
Our multi-megawatt load testing project was a final step in the commissioning of the Cestas solar farm. It happened efficiently, and to high safety standards. The loadbank test assured Schneider Electric that the solar farm was ready to connect to the local network – giving them the confidence to finally flick the ‘on’ switch.
“I was delighted by the excellent service delivered by the French on-site project engineers.”
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