The sun is an inexhaustible source of clean energy, and humans have used this in a variety of ways down through the ages. Today, solar power generation is a topic of considerable interest as it is one of the most efficient and cost-effective means for the large-scale utilization of the sun’s thermal energy. With a track record of more than 1,300 power plant projects around the world, Yokogawa has the knowledge and expertise to help concentrated solar power generation, a type of the solar power plants operate efficiently and safely.
Customer Challenge
Optimizing power generation efficiency by accurately tracking the sun as it moves across the sky
Solution
Yokogawa’s HXS10 solar tracking controller accurately calculates the position of the sun and precisely controls the actuators that keep the mirrors properly aligned with the sun.
Enabling Technologies
HXS10 Solar Tracking Controller
The HXS10 is a general-purpose controller with a function that calculates the position of the sun. It uses this data to precisely control the actuators that align mirrors with the sun. This optimizes the collection of thermal energy by concentrated solar power and concentrated photovoltaic power facilities.
FAST/TOOLS SCADA
The FAST/TOOLS package optimizes performance for renewable energy applications. It ensures high availability and performance and supports online configuration.
PRM Plant Resource Manager
Plant Resource Manager (PRM) makes predictive maintenance easy. Early detection of system and device malfunctions helps prevent catastrophic failures.
STARDOM Network-based Control System
Dual redundant and low-power configurations are available for the STARDOM hybrid PLC/intelligent RTU. STARDOM supports HART, Modbus, FOUNDATION™ fieldbus, and other network protocols.
CENTUM VP Integrated Production Control System
The CENTUM VP integrated control system secures interruption-free “uptime only” plant performance for optimal productivity and profitability in the renewable energy field.
Customer Challenge
Presenting different kinds of data in such a way that they can be understood at a glance
Solution
Yokogawa’s FAST/TOOLS SCADA system employs a graphical user interface that represents data in a highly intuitive visual format.
Enabling Technologies
FAST/TOOLS SCADA
The FAST/TOOLS package optimizes performance for renewable energy applications. It ensures high availability and performance and supports online configuration.
Customer Challenge
Large solar collector fields must be managed reliably and efficiently
Solution
Yokogawa’s FAST/TOOLS SCADA system can remotely configure the HXS10 solar tracking controllers and obtain the detailed performance and status information needed to reliably and efficiently manage a large field of solar collectors. The use of peer to peer communications reduces the communications load for the SCADA system.
Enabling Technologies
FAST/TOOLS SCADA
The FAST/TOOLS package optimizes performance for renewable energy applications. It ensures high availability and performance and supports online configuration.
Customer Challenge
Operating solar tracking controllers in remote locations where temperatures can be extreme
Solution
Yokogawa’s HSX10 solar tracking controller performs reliably in temperatures ranging from –20 to 70°C and consumes little power.
Enabling Technologies
HXS10 Solar Tracking Controller
The HXS10 is a general-purpose controller with a function that calculates the position of the sun. It uses this data to precisely control the actuators that align mirrors with the sun. This optimizes the collection of thermal energy by concentrated solar power and concentrated photovoltaic power facilities.
Customer Challenge
Integrating the various systems and subsystems throughout a plant so as to optimize efficiency and ensure stable operation
Solution
Yokogawa seamlessly integrates the power generation system with subsystems such as the solar collection system and the heat exchange system. This facilitates the monitoring and control of the entire plant, thereby leading to increased efficiency and greater stability.
Concentrated Solar Power Generation Process
A CSP generation system consists of a solar thermal collecting unit, a heat transfer unit, a heat storage unit, and a power generation unit, and is classified into four types according to the solar thermal collection technology: tower, parabolic trough, linear Fresnel, and parabolic dish. All technologies, with the exception of the parabolic dish technology, collect sunlight with reflectors and use the stored heat to produce steam that drives a turbine.
In such systems, the power generation unit is basically the same as that of a thermal power plant. Thus, conventional technologies that have been in practical use can be applied to CSP plants.
Control and Measurement Technologies
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Information
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- Yokogawa's HXS10 solar controller optimizes conversion efficiency at Australian solar cooling plant
- Accurate sun tracking and visualization of all process data
- Australian National University's "Big Dish" controlled by Yokogawa PLC and FAST/TOOLS SCADA
- FAST/TOOLS benefits us in many ways and allows us to clearly see the entire process, giving us the information we need to take immediate action
- The NEP Solar team developed the control strategy and the Yokogawa engineers programmed the controller accordingly.
- The FAST/TOOLS software could be installed on the notebook PCs used by the development team, eliminating the need for costly dedicated servers.
Granite Power is a geothermal company that has developed GRANEX®, a patented direct supercritical fluid heat transfer technology for the efficient, eco- nomic, and zero carbon emission generation of electricity from low grade geothermal sources using the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC).
- FAST/TOOLS SCADA system to remotely monitor the optimization of the process and make any required engineering changes to the live system.
- The Yokogawa control system (FAST/TOOLS, STARDOM, HXS10) monitors not only the sunlight but also the weather conditions.
Facing serious environmental problems for the whole earth, clean energy using solar, wind, geothermal, tidal, etc... to reduce CO2 emissions is an inevitable matter. Renewable energy providers need economical/reliable/efficient solutions. Yokogawa provides a reliable data acquisition system with high accuracy for measurement and control instruments.
With a renewed focus on domestic energy sources and a growing interest in renewable energy, the solar industry is anticipating new demand for photo-voltaic solar panels (Solar PV).
MW100 records solar power parameters such as radiance, ambient temperature and before/after electric conversion power data.
Hot rocks and water come together in select areas to produce renewable energy. CX2000s networked to US/UP controllers provide primary control with distributed backup control for steam turbines.
Industrial hydrogen fuel cells can be used to produce hydrogen and oxygen from distilled water as well as run in reverse to generate electricity. Fuel cells can also be used in conjunction with intermittent energy sources like solar or wind to provide regulated continuous energy output.
MW100 and PR300 system measures and quantifies the electrical energy consumption for each assembly line.
In the paperboard market, which is expected to grow in China and other Asian countries, demand for paper color control has recently been increasing. To satisfy this demand, Yokogawa has developed a new color sensor for the B/ M9000VP system, a measurement and control system for both paper and coating machines.
More than half a century has passed since Yokogawa developed Japan's first magnetic flow meter for industrial use in 1955, and today, Yokogawa's magnetic flow meters are widely used in a variety of applications thanks to features such as low pressure loss and maintenance-free operation due to no obstacles and moving parts in the fluid flowing pipeline.