Smart O&M Solutions for Floating Photovoltaic Systems
The vast and scattered distribution of renewable energy power stations across complex terrains poses significant challenges for post-commissioning maintenance. Traditional manual maintenance methods are not only costly but also inefficient, often failing to detect critical issues like micro-cracks and hot spots in photovoltaic (PV) modules, which can lead to fire hazards. Therefore, it is imperative for renewable energy power stations to adopt smart O&M solutions, leveraging artificial intelligence to alleviate the burden of manual maintenance.
Take Huawei's IV scanning technology as an example. Built upon Huawei's inverter communication cabinets and backend server hardware, this technology utilizes logical algorithms to analyze data such as voltage, current, and temperature, enabling the timely identification and precise localization of components and equipment with abnormal data. However, this scanning technology becomes ineffective when irradiance drops below 500W/m², rendering it unsuitable for cloudy days, sunrise, and sunset periods during autumn and winter. To address this limitation, integrating drone technology with monitoring systems can provide real-time video feeds and infrared imaging for comprehensive site scanning and monitoring. By employing software for image analysis, problematic PV modules can be identified, significantly enhancing fault prediction accuracy while drastically reducing manual O&M costs.
For floating PV systems, where power generation units constantly shift with wind direction and water levels, it is essential to implement array displacement monitoring systems. Utilizing GPS technology, these systems enable real-time monitoring of array positions, ensuring that each array remains within a designated area. This prevents excessive drifting that could lead to cable damage or collisions between arrays.
Currently, there is a lack of effective cleaning solutions for floating PV power stations. While land-based PV stations often rely on specialized cleaning vehicles or manual cleaning, suitable for small-scale or distributed PV systems, some stations employ rail-mounted cleaning robots. However, these robots require neatly arranged power generation units and pre-installed tracks, making them unsuitable for floating environments. Floating PV stations, on the other hand, benefit from convenient access to water for cleaning and are less susceptible to sand and dust, allowing for extended cleaning intervals. With the emergence of new-generation floating cleaning robots, capable of replacing manual labor for cleaning small pond-based floating photovoltaic systems, and continuous improvements based on field requirements, it is anticipated that robots capable of servicing reservoir-based floating PV systems will soon be available, gradually phasing out manual cleaning altogether.
Key Terms:
O&M: Operation and Maintenance
PV: Photovoltaic
IV scanning: A method for detecting faults in PV modules by analyzing their current-voltage characteristics.
Irradiance: The power per unit area received from the sun in the form of electromagnetic radiation.
Floating PV: Photovoltaic systems installed on floating structures on water bodies.
