Cutting-edge technology applied to renewable energy

At REM Experience we are committed to developing innovative solutions that drive the transition to a more sustainable and efficient energy future. That is why we are part of the consortium behind the Girasol II project, which is developing an innovative digital twin of a solar photovoltaic plant with distinctive benefits by combining renewable energy, disruptive technologies and the innovative STORM technology developed by Àliter.

The project, funded through the support programme for Innovative Business Clusters (AEI) of Spain's Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, is being carried out by Àliter Grup Renovables SL; REM Experience; Nvision Systems and Technologies; the Polytechnic University of Catalonia; the Spanish Association for the Internationalisation and Innovation of Solar Energy Companies, Solartys; and the Catalan Efficient Energy Cluster Association.

In the field of renewable energy, Girasol II is a step forward in the energy transition, giving solar photovoltaic plants an advanced diagnosis and forecasting tool. This not only matches but even exceeds the capabilities of fossil-fuel power plants.

Specifically, Girasol II provides a digital twin of solar photovoltaic plants that not only monitors and diagnoses the plant's condition in detail (performance, degradation, faults, etc.) but also predicts how it will evolve and makes maintenance recommendations. This makes it easier to integrate large-scale photovoltaic power into the electricity system, reducing maintenance costs, extending the plant's lifespan and optimising return on investment.

Within the framework of Industry 4.0, Girasol II brings together several key technologies, such as big data, simulation, artificial intelligence and IoT, adding virtual and augmented reality and data security. This not only digitises the production and management of the photovoltaic plant but also makes it easier to integrate into smart grids, driving the digitisation of electricity management.

So far, the Girasol project has validated concepts previously developed in this field and introduced new improvements. For example, it has verified data exchange between devices and the IoT platform and confirmed that the web client for monitoring and logging data works correctly.

Digital twins reach their full potential when they offer a fully immersive experience. That is why Girasol II lets users interact directly with the different elements of the digital twin (modules, inverters, sensors and more). This immersive interaction not only provides a better understanding of how the real system works but also creates learning and training opportunities covering its operation, maintenance and repair.

To achieve this, we are developing a virtual reality application focused on the ways users can interact with the virtual environment. This innovative approach takes the user experience to a whole new level, fostering deep understanding and the efficient, effective acquisition of practical skills.

All in all, the digital twin of the photovoltaic plant will provide a real-time visual model of the installation at different levels, integrating each of its components. The twin will collect and process a large volume of data (big data) from the system's various components, both from sensors deployed in the plant and from artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and decision support system (DSS) algorithms. This will enable thorough monitoring and informed decision-making, optimising the plant's performance and ensuring it runs efficiently over time.

By harnessing these technologies, Girasol II not only provides an advanced digital model of photovoltaic plants but also enables immersive interaction and advanced simulations for diagnosis and preventive maintenance training. This empowers engineers to design new, improved and optimised plants even before a physical prototype exists, learning from past mistakes and maximising overall performance.

In short, Girasol II is a crucial step towards a more sustainable and efficient energy future, combining cutting-edge technology with a commitment to driving the transition to renewable energy.