Photovoltaic solar energy is the fastest growing market in renewables
SOLAR MARKET
ISQ services and solutions in support of key industry stakeholders
PORTUGAL IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF EUROPEAN COUNTRIES WITH THE GREATEST GROWTH POTENTIAL IN THE SOLAR ENERGY MARKET AND ISQ HAS BECOME AN IMPORTANT PARTNER OF ENTITIES OPERATING IN THE SECTOR. CUSTOMER SUPPORT – FROM SMALL DECENTRALIZED PRODUCERS TO PRODUCERS/PROMOTERS OF LARGE PHOTOVOLTAIC PLANTS – IS ENSURED THROUGHOUT ALL PHASES OF THE VALUE CHAIN.
BY Rui Alves
PORTUGAL IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF EUROPEAN COUNTRIES WITH THE GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR EXPANSION IN THE SOLAR ENERGY MARKET.
The photovoltaic solar energy market has seen promising demand, playing an increasingly important role in the national energy landscape. Over the past few years, this has increased with an increase in installed capacity from 454 MW in 2015 to 824 MW in 2020, contributing to the 65% growth in renewable energy produced. Portugal is thus at the forefront of European countries with the greatest potential for expansion in the solar energy market.
In this context, ISQ is already an important partner of the main players in the sector, developing services and solutions that respond to their needs from small decentralized producers to producers /promoters of large photovoltaic plants, designers, installers and operating entities & maintenance. Recognized for its exemption and competence, ISQ operates in this area as a third party, supported by specialized technicians and state-of-the-art monitoring and inspection equipment.
ISQ Energy Services supports customers throughout all phases of the value chain through:
- PREVIOUS TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY STUDIES;
- ANALYSIS OF TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS;
- SELECTION OF EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS, ACCEPTANCE TEST (IN FACTORY AND IN SITE);
- PROJECT MANAGEMENT, SUPERVISION AND MONITORING OF WORK;
- COMMISSIONING;
- MONITORING AND PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE;
- OPERATION & MAINTENANCE.
In the decentralized production sector, ISQ provides a specialized consulting service in the preparation of specifications and subsequent qualitative analysis of proposals.
This tool is an important aid in the decision-making phase and has as guarantor the choice of the best technical-economic solution, reference companies of the business fabric, energy producers, have seen in ISQ the ideal partner to provide this assessment impartially and appropriately.
CONSTRUCTION SUPPORT SERVICES
During the construction phase of the photovoltaic plant, the inspection and monitoring service of work has proved extremely important for customers (producers/promoters). Through this, it is possible to ensure compliance with the applicable legal and regulatory requirements, as well as the correct implementation of the contractualized design specifications, maintaining a tight quality control over the installation performed. Various aspects of the implementation are assessed in detail, such as:
- VALIDATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF MATERIALS ON SITE;
- DEFINITION AND COMPLIANCE WITH WORK SCHEDULES;
- APPLICATION OF LEGAL, NORMATIVE AND DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS;
- COMPLIANCE WITH THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS OF THE INSTALLATION;
- TESTING AND TESTING;
- ASSESSMENT OF THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE FACILITY IMMEDIATELY UPON COMPLETION;
- COMMISSIONING OF THE INSTALLATION, ENSURING THE QUALITY OF THE INSTALLATION AT THE TIME OF ACCEPTANCE BY THE FINAL CUSTOMER.
TRUST ENERGY
Combined cycle center accompanied by ISQ since construction
Turbogás, a combined cycle plant with 990 MW (three groups of 330 MW), operates on natural gas and began operating in 1999. It has an increased efficiency, taking advantage of the heat of the turbine gases to produce steam, which in turn drives another turbine. Both mobilize the same generator, allowing a yield of more than 50% to be achieved.
Built very close to the Tapada do Outeiro Thermoelectric Power Plant, a coal-free power plant that was decommissioned in 2004, its project was sustained in the economic viability of the pipeline, and was expected to consume more than 50% of the natural gas transported at full power.
ISQ participated in its construction with CND and QA/QC services, among others, and has maintained a permanent relationship, following maintenance stops.
John Crespo
MAINTENANCE SUPPORT
Aware of the importance of photovoltaic power plants over their lifetime and during the Operation & Maintenance (O&M) period, ISQ provides consulting and support services to O&M, including through:
- SAFETY TESTS AND TESTS;
- IDENTIFICATION OF FAULTS AND ANOMALIES;
- MONITORING OF OPERATION AND EVALUATION OF PRODUCTION LEVELS;
- ASSESSMENT OF THE PLANT’S OVERALL INCOME.
The valuation of the plant’s yield is a constant concern of the various actors (producers/promoters/investors) during the operation of photovoltaic plants, since it has a direct implication on their profitability. The performance ratio (PR or “yield ratio”) is one of the most important parameters to perceive the efficiency and reliability of a photovoltaic system, because it allows relating the production of real and theoretical electricity, being measured as a percentage by the relationship between the actual and the expected yield.
The analysis of the evolution of PR allows evaluating the state of the photovoltaic system and detecting deviations below the expected, inindictment of possible failures of the system, which thus allows to adopt preventive measures in a timely manner. THE ISQ has the skills and technical means to examine this parameter in large photovoltaic plants.
THERMOGRAPHY WITH DRONES
The thermographic analysis of the various photovoltaic equipment is another vital aspect in the operation of photovoltaic plants, with a view to maintaining high levels of reliability and efficiency. This inspection allows the prior detection of anomalies in the components, the increase of the availability of the system for energy production and the evaluation of the quality of photovoltaic modules. ISQ provides thermographic inspection services to various photovoltaic equipment, including the latest aerial thermographic inspection, using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).
This new service allows a detailed thermographic evaluation, including thermal signatures, by processing the information collected using analysis software suitable for the installations concerned. This effective solution meets the highest quality standards and ensures 100% inspection of photovoltaic modules, being requested by photovoltaic plant operators, from small decentralized production to the large photovoltaic parks of our country.
SHAMS
ISQ on the largest renewable energy project in operation in the Middle East
Located in western Abu Dhabi, SHAMS was the largest renewable energy project in operation in the Middle East.
It is owned by Masdar, the Abu Dhabi Pension Fund and TOTAL (France), having been commissioned in 2013. It contributes to the 2020 renewable energy target of 7% in Abu Dhabi, as well as to reducing the carbon footprint by eliminating 175,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
ISQ began its collaboration with SHAMS in 2013, when a root cause analysis (RCA) was requested from one of its pressure components. Following this work, ISQ was asked to be involved in the first stop of this facility, which took place in October 2014. The objective was to analyze and repair problems arising during the warranty period, inspect all equipment under pressure, define the “zero” state of the installation and monitor some functional changes to the initial project. ISQ’s presence in SHAMS extended from May to December 2014.
Among the works performed by ISQ, we highlight the preparation, preparation and implementation of inspection and test plan (ITP) of the various equipment, which is allied to failure analyses, allowing much more effective responses and solutions, as well as the follow-up of the upgrade of other equipment.
ISQ
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