*By the Researcher-Lecturer Dr. Lenos Hatzidimitriou and the Engineering Researcher Eleni Tekkis,

KIOS Research and Innovation Centre of Excellence, University of Cyprus

Solar photovoltaic energy is considered one of the most important and cost-effective forms of renewable energy and is expected to play a leading role in the transition to a climate-neutral energy environment. However, there are several challenges that need to be addressed to facilitate the widespread adoption and use of PV technologies. For example, the cost of electricity produced by photovoltaic systems can be further reduced and at the same time the lifetime of photovoltaic installations can be extended, with the aim of improving the competitiveness of photovoltaic technologies.

To address these challenges, the partners of the European research project PVgnosis have developed technological solutions to improve the operation and maintenance of photovoltaic installations, with the ultimate goal of mass production of solar energy.

Specifically, the KIOS Research and Innovation Centre of Excellence of the University of Cyprus, the National Center for Research and Technological Development of Greece and the small and medium enterprises ENGAIA and CheckWatt from Greece and Sweden respectively, developed a digital platform in which there are integrated smart tools that contribute to the advanced diagnosis, maintenance, operation and inspection of photovoltaic installations, as well as computer vision methodologies that allow the detection of anomalies in photovoltaic systems, using images from unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). In addition, they developed a prototype next-generation inverter in which they integrated intelligent control and management systems to enhance the penetration of PV systems while improving its reliability and providing support services in modern power grids.

The contribution of KIOS to the goals of the project

The KIOS research team contributed substantially to the development of the prototype inverter and to the implementation, integration and testing of multiple intelligent methods to enable the inverter’s versatile operation, equipment life extension, and automatic fault diagnosis.

In particular, the researchers developed various electrical power control systems to enhance the operational capabilities of the inverter so that it can provide additional services. Consequently, the improvement of the operation of the distribution network in terms of power quality, the reduction of energy loss in the network and the efficient use of the existing infrastructure have been achieved to allow maximum penetration of PV energy. In addition, a methodology was developed for the provision of grid support services from photovoltaics with the aim of significantly improving the stability of the electrical grid.

Regarding enhancing the reliability of the inverter, the research team implemented intelligent methods for fault diagnosis so that faults in sensors and components of the PV inverter are automatically detected and treated, thus speeding up its maintenance process. In addition, a temperature control system was developed, with the aim of managing the thermal behavior of the converter, during its different modes of operation. This control system can double the lifetime and net present value of a multifunctional PV inverter, while enhancing the competitiveness of solar technology.

Finally, KIOS researchers developed an advanced grid-connected PV inverter in which all control and fault diagnosis algorithms were integrated and tested in real operating conditions. This has resulted in a reliable inverter with multi-function capability that can support the green transition of power systems.

All the smart solutions developed within the PVgnosis project improve reliability and speed up the process of fault diagnosis and maintenance of PV installations. They also enable the efficient coordination of the operation of such facilities to allow maximum PV penetration, while improving the performance, stability and power quality of the electric power grid.

The PVgnosis project received funding from the European SOLAR-ERA.NET network through the Research and Innovation Foundation of Cyprus.

More Information: KIOS Research and Innovation Centre of Excellence, website: [email protected], Tel.: +357 22 893450