Case Study

ISE energía, a leading designer of solar power plants and water pumping systems, sought a comprehensive solution for transferring water from the Ebro River in northeastern Spain to a reservoir using renewable solar energy.

The challenge was to develop a reliable, efficient, and customised system that addressed the unique requirements of the project, including environmental considerations and specific operational needs.

Invertek Drives Optidrive P2 Solar is a perfect companion for such pumping applications, particularly in rural and hard to reach areas.

Key challenges included:

• Environmental Integration: The solution needed to avoid the use of metal enclosures and ensuring proper ventilation to prevent overheating.
• Temperature Management: The system required effective temperature control for the electronics to ensure reliable operation in varying weather conditions.
• Water Level Monitoring: Real-time monitoring of the water level was essential to prevent pump damage and optimise system efficiency.
• Customisation: The solution needed to be adaptable to the specific parameters of the solar pumping system, including minimum irradiance levels and start-up times.
• User-Friendly Monitoring: The system required intuitive monitoring capabilities to provide operators with easy access to critical information, such as irradiance and temperature levels.

Invertek Drives Iberica proposed a tailored solution centred around the Optidrive P2 VFD with integrated PLC functionality. This versatile VFD addressed all of ISE energía's challenges, offering a comprehensive and customised system:

• Polycarbonate Plate Mounting: The VFD was mounted on a polycarbonate plate, eliminating the need for a metal enclosure and ensuring proper ventilation without environmental concerns.
• E3 Drive for Fan Control: An Optidrive E3 VFD was connected to the main DC bus to control a fan installed in a small housing, providing efficient temperature management for the electronics.
• PLC-Controlled Fan Activation: The E3 drive was activated through a PLC routine based on temperature and time, optimising energy usage and ensuring adequate cooling.
• Water Level Monitoring: A water level sensor was connected to the system, triggering a message on the VFD display, stopping the pump, and activating an LED warning in case of low water levels.
• Customized Parameters: The Optidrive P2 VFD was configured with specific parameters, such as minimum irradiance level and start-up time, to match the solar pumping system's requirements.
• Monitoring via VFD Display: Dedicated keys on the VFD display allowed operators to easily monitor irradiance and temperature levels, providing crucial real-time information.

The implementation of the Invertek Drives Optidrive P2 VFD with integrated PLC transformed ISE energía's solar water pumping system:

• Environmental Responsibility: The polycarbonate mounting eliminated the need for a metal enclosure, minimising environmental impact and ensuring proper ventilation.
• Efficient Temperature Management: The E3-controlled fan optimised cooling, ensuring reliable operation in varying weather conditions.
• Proactive Protection: Water level monitoring and alerts prevented pump damage and ensured efficient system operation.
• Tailored Performance: Customized parameters optimized the system's performance for the specific solar pumping application.
• User-Friendly Monitoring: The VFD display provided intuitive access to critical information, empowering operators with real-time insights.

 Key Customer Benefits

• A unique and personalized solution that exceeded customer expectations.
• Mounting on a polycarbonate plate to avoid metal enclosure and ventilation problems.
• E3 drive connected to the main DC bus to control a fan for temperature management.
• Water level connection that displays messages, stops the pump, and activates an LED warning.
• Customized parameters for minimum irradiance level and start-up time.
• Monitoring of irradiance and temperature on the drive display with dedicated keys.