The EPC project owners behind a 194 MW plant in Washington were eager to begin planning the complex details for what would become a sustainable gamechanger for the State of Washington and its community in 2020. The 1,800-acre solar energy project would become one of the largest solar projects in Washington. AlsoEnergy, a Stem company, played a pivotal role in providing custom-built solutions and expert services in the successful completion of this groundbreaking solar project.
The solar site consists of 444,024 solar panels and 53 inverters, connected 1-1 with an MV transformer with energy generated through a system of 34.5 kV underground and overhead lines to a collector substation where voltage steps up to 230 kV.
Washington
The project owners knew they needed a sophisticated power plant controller with an extensive control library for obtaining the needed grid power control requirements. The solution also needed to integrate the unique elements of the project, including owner requirements and site capabilities, to ensure the project would operate as soon as possible.
What the team didn’t know was that they would have to navigate multiple challenges, including the 2020 global pandemic, to achieve success.
AlsoEnergy’s comprehensive solution involved custom-built power plant controllers with multi-mode PPCs and RTAC-based data acquisition. A custom-built weather station was also integrated to meet the project’s unique needs.
AlsoEnergy’s in-depth understanding of owner requirements and the project’s complexities was the key to success. The team provided voltage droop control, real power curtailment, and a single interface for efficient communication with over 350 field devices.
The project’s success was attributed to AlsoEnergy’s adaptability, strong industry relationships, and engineering expertise. Navigating semiconductor chip shortages, ALsoEnergy ensured timely hardware delivery and seamlessly integrated with the owners’ SCADA interface, supporting the project’s schedule and requirements.
AlsoEnergy’s control library, including Dynamic Limiting and capacitor bank controls, enhanced long-term efficiency and ROI. This phased commissioning approach allowed sections of the project to go online and be profitable before completion, mitigating the pandemic’s impact. The project was completed in January 2023, and a 162-MW project with the same client is underway.