Peace of mind for PV power plantsConext Control string-to-grid monitoring and control solution

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Conext Control

Introducing Conext Control

Your complete solution for control and monitoring of PV power plants and large commercial installationsConextTM Control is a solution that integrates control, monitoring, and performance management features. It is designed to operate any site efficiently, providing you the means to make prompt decisions and react accordingly.

It can be easily adapted to your required level of service, whether you need a maintenance contract with a simplified monitoring system or a full performance contract with a fast and comprehensive monitoring and control system.

Control and monitor your entire system, from DC output to grid connection

For the operations centerReal-time production managementMedium/long-term trend analysisRemote control of equipmentRemote troubleshooting and planning of on-site interventionsAutomated reportsAnalysis of performance from plant to string level

For investorsMonitoring of energy generation and plant performanceFinancial indicators

For utilitiesConnection/disconnection ordersPower limitationVoltage and frequency control algorithms at the grid injection pointControl of all active equipment, from PV inverters to energy storage systems and active substation equipment

Conext Control offers a variety of benefits:

Why choose Conext Control? True bankability• Warranty from a trusted partner with over

175 years of experience• World leader in SCADA and automation, industrial

power drives and UPS, and electrical distribution• Strong service infrastructure worldwide to support

your global needs

Higher return on investment• CAPEX optimisation, thanks to reduced engineering,

site-testing, and commissioning time • OPEX reduction via minimised site intervention costs

and streamlined operational resources• Assured power production with standard and extended

warranties, service plans, and uptime guarantees

Designed for reliability• Tested and qualified in harsh environmental conditions • Reliable data collection, processing, and storage

Flexible• Single monitoring & control suite for 1MW to 100MW

plants, from 1 to 50 different sites • Monitoring of additional PV plants and/or equipment

can be added at any time • Automated reports for site operators and investors

can be customised and scheduled • Customisable utility interface

Easy to service• Remote fault detection and analysis via smart alarms • Use of standard, globally available Schneider Electric™

components and software• Local and/or remote site supervision with

possible redundancy

Easy to install• Easily adaptable to any PV installation• Seamless integration with different site components

thanks to standard architecture and bricks • Reduced engineering time with configuration tool• Simplified implementation due to pre-tested

and validated platform

Easily supervise power plants of up to 100MW

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Protect, control, and optimise your large PV installations

Conext Control is more than a monitoring systemConext Control monitors each device along the entire production chain, provides an intuitive interface for supervision and alarm response, includes versatile remote-control options, and enables powerful data analysis. Collectively these tools provide everything you need to optimise the solar harvest, as well as capital and operational expenses.

Here are some of the features that make Conext Control the smart choice for any PV system.

Increase equipment life and boost ROI with proper monitoring and control

Single-line diagram display The Conext Control interface is based on an animated “single-line diagram” which dynamically reports status, measurements, and faults (if any), for ease of understanding and improved operator efficiency.

Event log Conext Control stores and displays all site events, including alarms, device status change, operator actions, and orders from the plant controller.

Smart alarms and alerts To speed up diagnostics and analysis of possible faults, Conext Control displays only the root cause if a fast cascade of faults occurs. The alarm log filter can be sorted by criteria such as severity, date, equipment, and fault type. Priority alarms result in alerts sent via SMS or e-mail to the operator on duty.

Multi-site supervisionConext Control can supervise and manage multiple power plants, from a single user interface. Monitoring of additional PV plants and/or equipment can be added atany time. Supervision can be local and/or remote, with possible redundancy.

Plant controllerThis key function allows the grid operator to send commands modifying productionparameters. It helps utilities use the PV plant to contribute to grid stability.

Process controlGrid operator procedures are hosted in compliance with local grid codes for automatic grid connect or disconnect.

Tracker monitoring integrationThis optional feature lets you incorporate key information for monitoring and supervision of most tracking systems into a single user interface. Performance calculations are modified to consider tracker status.

Monitoring, control, and supervision that’sversatile and scalable

Greater ease of use, efficiency, and safety

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Conext Control

Collect key data

Conext Control collects data from PV system equipment via input/output modules or via the field bus. This includes data on electrical measurements, weather conditions, equipment status and position, alarms, and others.

Master your production process

2-second data polling for energy harvest analysis

Precise time stamping of all data for easier troubleshooting

40-day local data storage in the event of an upstream communication failure

20+ years storage of averaged 1 minute data for operation & analysis

Performance indicators Conext Control calculates performance ratio and availability in compliance with IEC 61724. It also calculates downtime and energy not supplied, which enables clear identification of production losses and assessment of responsibility. A “site scorecard” allows the operator to compare a site’s current performance with an annual contractual objective.

Trend analysis With Conext Control’s comprehensive data collection capabilities, it’s possible to compare and analyse all data to highlight correlations and important trends.

Predefined reports Reports are generated automatically and on-demand, and can be customised. All data can be exported for further analysis.

Analyse, report, and improve the production process

Monitor weather conditions such as irradiance, temperature, wind speed and direction, and rain

For a PV power plant equipped with string current monitoring, Conext Control analyses relative string performance to identify faulty or ageing PV strings.

String current performance tracking

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Comprehensive data, at your fingertips

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Conext Control

Proven products, powerful software, and unmatched expertise

Schneider Electric solutions for photovoltaic power plants include everything needed to efficiently distribute and manage locally generated solar energy, from panel DC output to the grid connection. Each PV system is optimised to get the best performance for your investment.

The combination of field-proven technology, innovative features, and Schneider Electric expertise in energy management provides a balance-of-system solution that you can depend on, from a trusted partner.

PV BoxThe PV Box is a power conversion system that performs the DC power concentration, the DC/AC conversion, and the AC voltage elevation to the grid voltage level.

Power metersLocal production and consumption monitoringEnergy harvest and power quality analysis

MV equipmentRemote control of breakerAutomatic sequential reconnection per PV BoxStatus, measurement, and control via protection relay

InverterModbus communicationDynamic remote control and VAR controlOscillography recording in case of faults

Monitoring cabinetM340, a market-leading PLCAggregates and time stamps all PV Box dataLocal data storage of 40 days in case of upstream communication failure

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SCADA server20+ years storage of averaged 1 minute data GSM-SMS senderRouter/internet for remote accessHttp secured access

Utility plant controllerManages all communication with utilitiesEnables remote control by utility

Power metersProduction revenue grade meterLocal consumption monitoring

MV equipmentRemote control of PV Box feederRemote control of incoming breakerFull monitoring of protection relay

Monitoring cabinetM340, a market-leading PLCAggregates all site dataTime-stamping of all data for easier troubleshootingLocal data storage of 40 days in case of upstream communication failure

2-second data polling for 32 Array Boxes for energy harvest analysis at string level and failure troubleshooting Robust industrial field bus for increased data reliabilityString level monitoring to detect failures and ageingRemote controlled switch removes need for costly on-site operations Optional weather sensors

Array BoxThe Array Box is a string combiner box installed between the PV modules and the inverter. It allows the connection of several strings of PV modules in parallel, while protecting and monitoring a PV power plant.

Grid-Tie SubstationThe Grid-Tie Substation ensures the connection of the power plant to the grid. It hosts components of Conext Control, weather sensors, and the interface by which the grid operator is able to communicate control requests to the power plants.

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Conext Control

Fully integrated balance-of-system solutions

Conext Control seamlessly integrates equipment and software, ensuring easy communication between all elements of a Schneider Electric balance-of-system solution.

The system monitors all essential hardware, from the string input channel combiner to the connection to the grid. Several software programs are embedded, such as Windows Server, SQL Server, and ClearSCADA, an industrial control system from Schneider Electric.

Conext Control relies on standard open protocols to facilitate communication between elements of the system and to transmit information quickly and safely.

ClearSCADAServer

Example of a remote architecture

SQL Server

FTPDNP3

Modbus TCP/IP

Internet

PV Box 1 PV Box 2 PV Box 3 Grid Box

Profibus links the Array Boxes with the PV Boxes.

DNP3 is used to send alarms and events directly to the ClearSCADA database.

Modbus is a widespread protocol used to communicate with the many kinds of equipment.

FTP is used to forward “averaged 1 minute data” from PV and grid boxes directly to the SQL database

Communication with the grid operator is managed through the plant controller and involves DNP3, IEC104, and other proprietary protocols.

Fibre optic loop

Alarms transfer to SQL

Array Box 1 Array Box 2 Array Box 3 Array Box 4

Plant Controller

(interface between the grid and the PV plant)

Grid operator

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Centralised PV power plant with Schneider Electric balance-of-system solution

Conext Control

Array Box

PV Box

Grid Box

Conext Core XC inverter LV/MV transformer MV switchgear

Grid operator

A balance-of-system solution from Schneider Electric typically includes:

Power collection and string monitoring Power conversion Integration to the grid Supervision, monitoring, and control

The benefits you get: Seamless solution from a single, bankable supplier Simplified project planning and reduced installation and commissioning costs Low cost of maintenance High energy harvest Solution package optimised for the lowest possible LCOE Protection of the value of your assets

Secure your PV investmentwith a superior monitoringand control system

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Conext Control technical specificationsConext Control Advanced HD Advanced Initial Smart string monitoring • (option) • (option) Production forecast • (on demand) • (on demand) • (on demand) DC performance evolution tracking • (on demand) Conext Control intelligenceMulti-site management • • •Data behaviours Acquisition cycle • (2 seconds) • (2 seconds) • (5 seconds) Time synchronization • • • String failure detection • Sub-array failure detection • • 1” data averaging • • • 1” data and alarm timestamping • • • 1” data and alarm storage • (up to 40 days) • (up to 40 days) • (up to 10 days) Communication status • • •Operator interface Client server access • • • Web access • • •Real time synoptic views Predefined • • • Customized • (on demand) • (on demand) Alarming Real time alarming • • • Alarm filtering (root cause display) • • •Alerting SMS or e-mail • • •Conext Control reports Predefined • • • Customized • (on demand) • (on demand) Site scorecard • • • Trend analysis • • •Conext Control performanceKey performance indicators PR, AL, energy not supplied • • •Long term storage SQL database • (up to 20 years) • (up to 20 years) • (up to 20 years)Optional interface OPC, AE, OPC DA, HDA, OPC HDA • (on demand) • (on demand) • (on demand)Control featuresPV Box Inverter remote control • • • Inverter (P, Q) fast control • (if installed) • (if installed) • (if installed)Array Box Main switch remote control (LOTO) • (if installed)Grid Box Grid coupling breaker remote control • • • RMU remote control • • • Coupling / uncoupling management • • • Grid operator interface • (if installed) • (if installed) • (if installed) Plant controller • (on demand) • (on demand) • (on demand)Monitored devicesPV Box Inverters • • • Transformer (fault) • • • Transformer (pre-alarm) • • RMU status • • RMU protection relay • • • LV switchboard • • Auxiliary consumption metering • (if installed) • (if installed) Energy reserve • (if installed) • (if installed) Weather sensors • (if installed) • (if installed) Safety sensors • (if installed) • (if installed) Sub-array current acquisition • • •Array Box String current acquisition • Plane-of-array pyranometer • (if installed) Back-of-module temperature • (if installed) Electrical devices status • Grid Box Grid coupling breaker status • • • Revenue grade metering • • • Feeders status • • • Feeders protection relays • • • LV switchboard • • • Energy reserve • (if installed) • (if installed) • (if installed) Weather station • (if installed) • (if installed) • (if installed)

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Conext Control

Dedicated to providing the best service and support

Schneider Electric is committed to bringing higher efficiency, greater reliability, and a better return on investment to clean solar-energy projects everywhere. To accomplish this mission, we have a broad portfolio of services, expert staff, and local services infrastructure ready to support your PV installation.

Remote technical support• Hotline• Expert technical support• Remote diagnostics

Hardware maintenance

Spare parts management

Software and system services

• Data back-up and clean-up• Data hosting• Configuration version management• Upgrade to new features• System configuration updates

• Genuine spare parts• Regional hubs• Supply chain management• 20 years availability• Obsolescence management

• Preventive maintenance• Corrective maintenance• Hardware system integrity• Sensor calibration• PC / server support

Software maintenance & upgrades

• OS and soft systems upgrades• Software system integrity• PLC Soft maintenance (firmware)• SCADA maintenance• SQL DB maintenance• PV application maintenance

(PLC, CS & SQL)

is the number of countries in which Schneider Electric has a local presence

100+

At Schneider Electric, customer satisfaction is our number one priority

Schneider Electric Industries SAS

Head Office35 rue Joseph Monier92500 Rueil Malmaison Cedex- FranceTel.: +33 (0)1 41 29 70 00www.schneider-electric.com

Make the most of your energySM

©2014 Schneider Electric. All Rights Reserved. All trademarks are owned by Schneider Electric Industries SAS or its affiliated companies.998-1191866_GMA-GB

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