IEA PVPS Task 13 Activity 2.4: Digitalisation in the PV Sector

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Recording of Tuesday, June 18, 2024 | The smarter E Europe 2024 | Conference Program | Language: English | Duration: 14:34 .

Digitalization in the PV Sector: Integrating Data Across the Value Chain and Defining Digital Twins for Improved Efficiency

In this presentation, the speaker discusses Activity 2.4 of Task 13, focusing on digitalization within the photovoltaic (PV) sector alongside colleague Christian. The activity examines topics such as digital twinning of PV systems and addresses definitions, ontologies, and data models while covering the entire PV system value chain—from design through operation and maintenance to end-of-life. Two comprehensive reports are being prepared: one centered on defining "digital twins" in PV for researchers by discussing their data flows, open data practices, strengths, weaknesses; another aimed at industry stakeholders like EPCs and asset managers that evaluates how digital twins are integrated into current practices across all phases. The Trust PV project is also highlighted for its efforts in standardizing nomenclature related to failure analysis via a risk matrix based on extensive O&M tickets review. This initiative aims to break down existing silos between different stages of the value chain by fostering better integrated machine-readable and human-readable data models along with standardized terms called ontologies or dictionaries from early design through operations.

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Speaker

Christian Schill
Group Manager "PV Power Plants"
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
Germany

Dr. Atse Louwen
Senior Researcher
EURAC Research Institute
Italy

Talk of session: Utility-scale Solar Power II: Digitalization in PV Power Plants - Enhancing O&M through Digital Twinning, Data and Process Integration

The utility-scale segment is being digitized at a rapid pace. New digital tools make workflows along the PV power plant value chain more cost-effective: from development to operations and maintenance. A key concept in PV digitalization is the so-called digital twin, a digital representation of the physical PV plant that accurately simulates the performance of a solar system. A digital twin enables better failure detection and support of the O&M decision-making process. This session will discuss: The role of digitalization and digital twins in the solar power plant sector How digitalization can enhance O&M activities Need for full integration of data along the value chain of PV power plants Benefits, drawbacks and hurdles for digitalization in the utility-scale segment (panel debate).

Further Talks of this session:

Welcome and Introduction

Speaker

Ulrike Jahn
Senior Scientist
Fraunhofer Center for Silicon-Photovoltaics CSP
Germany

To Talk

Mapping the Relevance of Digitalisation for Photovoltaics

Speaker

Jonathan Leloux
Managing Director
LuciSun
Belgium

To Talk

Why Digitalization Is the Right Choice for Your Lifetime Asset Operation

Speaker

Dr. Julián Ascencio-Vásquez
Head of Solar Advanced Analytics
Univers
France

To Talk

Use Cases for a Digital Twin Within an Integrated EPC and O&M Company

Speaker

Dr. Björn Müller
CEO
Enmova GmbH

To Talk

Panel Discussion

Speaker

David Daßler
Team Leader for PV System Assessment & Diagnostics
Fraunhofer Center for Silicon-Photovoltaics CSP
Germany

To Talk

Wrap-up

Speaker

Ulrike Jahn
Senior Scientist
Fraunhofer Center for Silicon-Photovoltaics CSP
Germany

To Talk

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