Field Service Experience: Fuel Save Controller 2.0 Commissioning in Palau

Cyril Laugeonby Cyril Laugeon (guest post), , 7 Comments

Palau is a beautiful island country located in the Pacific Ocean, with a population of approximately 21,000 people. The archipelago is well known for its pristine beaches, scuba-diving and snorkeling sites. SMA Australia’s Service Engineer, Cyril Laugeon, shares his experience in commissioning the Fuel Save Controller (FSC) 2.0M in Palau.

 

FSC2.0M commissioning in Palau

Fuel Save Controller 2.0M located on-site

Fuel Save Controller 2.0M located on-site

Earlier this year, I assisted in the commissioning of the Fuel Save Controller 2.0M in Palau. I went with my colleague, Patty Wu, who was the head commissioner. We visited and assisted one of our industry partners on two of their projects on the islands of Angaur and Peleliu in the country of Palau.

The first system we visited was in Angaur, located an hour away from the main island of Koror by speedboat. The island currently has a micro-population of 50 people, as well as a monkey population that were brought along in World War II for mining excavation. The project at the Angaur Power Station consisted of replacing their existing generators, an old, noisy and imposing diesel generator dating from the 1950’s, with two brand new Hatz Twin-pack generators (a total of 112kWp), whose controllers are compatible with the FSC2.0M. The PV plant is installed behind the diesel generator plant and boasts a 100kW PV array fitted with STP25000TLUS-10’s to match the design. Given the FSC2.0M upgrade in the power station and the construction of a water treatment plant on the island, I believe it will not be long before further developments ensue to expand tourism and habitation on Angaur.

100kW PV plant located at Angaur Power Station

100kW PV plant located at Angaur Power Station

 

After two days of commissioning, we took a boat on to Peleliu, a popular destination with tourists wanting a laid-back island lifestyle (while it lasts!) and promises of good spots for snorkeling and diving.

The solar PV plant on Peleliu consists of a 164kW PV plant with 8x STP20000TLUS-10 inverters, which is fully integrated into a newly expanded 168kWp diesel generation using Hatz Twin-pack technology and an existing 275kW diesel generator as backup. The Peleliu plant varies from the one in Angaur by the addition of a DAQ module to provide PV plant data feedback via optical fiber to the Peleliu power station located a few kilometers away.

I found it quite impressive that the PV plant could feed most of the island’s energy needs (depending on the time of the day),  without the need of energy storage. As a matter of fact, the added advantage of the new FSC2.0M is its ability to actively change the spinning reserve of the diesel generation plant, which enables a higher penetration of solar PV in the grid. Compatibility with this feature is expected to be expanded in the future beyond just Hatz controllers, in partnership with other diesel generator manufacturers.

164kW PV plant located on Peleliu

164kW PV plant located on Peleliu

 

A reflection on the commissioning

Fuel Save Controller 2.0M located on-site

Fuel Save Controller 2.0M located on-site

I was born and raised on an island country similar to Palau, and like most remote island countries, we rely heavily on diesel power generation and therefore on expensive imported fuels. The Sunny Island inverter and increasingly the Fuel Save Controller are effective technologies which enable remote islands to reduce or in some instances, eliminate an unsustainable reliance on imported fuel. The savings generated by these systems means more affordable power for the local communities which can in turn be invested in more fruitful development instead of maintenance. Affordable sustainable power has the potential to empower people to invest in their local economy, hence generating employment and promote population growth and retention. On a higher level, significant savings allow local leaders to make adjustments of budget to invest in other areas of development for the island or country.

I often lose sight of how much the technology I service and help commissioning on a daily basis makes a difference in people’s lives. It is in system commissioning like the ones I went to in Palau that remind me that every solar and energy sustainable project we implement is part of the bigger picture to empower people in what they are called to do, especially in remote or isolated communities.

To that end, I look forward to seeing and participating in more of these systems in the far removed places of the world, and in the process, provide people with power that will benefit and enrich their lifestyle.

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This article was published in 2016. As we are constantly developing our solutions, there may be newer or additional options for the tips and techniques in this article.

7 Comments
  1. Tosin
    Tosin says:

    As an installer for Toladent global solar limited in Nigeria, we are looking for a packaged system for our hotel project, propose using sunny central battery inverter, the intended output from 400kw – 550kw 3 phase hybrid standalone system with battery backup.kindly provide some indications on procurement, engineering and installation of this system to tosin.ogundokun@yahoo.com.await your feedback and corresponding details. Thanks

    Reply
    • Annika Linke
      Annika Linke says:

      Hi Tosin,
      thank you for your interest. I forwarded your request to one of my colleague who will help you.
      Kind regards, Annika

      Reply
  2. Bilal
    Bilal says:

    Hello Cyril Laugeon,

    We are looking for supervisor to do installation and commissioning for SMA Fuel Save Controller in middle east.

    please contact us by email

    Reply
    • Carolin Rost
      Carolin Rost says:

      Hello Bilal,
      Please send us an email to SocialMedia@sma.de with further more information about the planned Plant and the country you are coming from. Then we can forward your request.
      Kind regards, Carolin

      Reply
  3. Tony Benedict
    Tony Benedict says:

    As an Installer in Papua New Guinea, we are looking for a similar packaged system for our high school project. The intended output may range from 40kw – 75kw 3 phase standalone system.
    Kindly provide some indications on Procurement, Engineering and Installation of this systems.

    Await any feedback and corresponding details through my email contact – tonybenedict21@gmail.com.

    Kind Regards,
    Tony Benedict

    Reply
  4. Vineel Chand
    Vineel Chand says:

    It had been a privilege having the SMA personnel on Site for Commissioning and more importantly delivering the Project successfully.
    CBS Power Solutions (Fiji) Limited, ensured in delivering the Engineering, Procurement and Construction of 200kWp Solar Hybrid Power System and Water Treatment Plant in Anguar, Peleliu, Republic of Palau for Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC).

    Reply
    • Johanes Temengil
      Johanes Temengil says:

      Hi Vineel Chand,

      I am from Angaur, Palau, residing in Guam and a member of the Angaur Club of Guam, a non-profit community association of the people of Angaur living in Guam.

      I am very interested to know how the 100kW PV donated UAE that you built in Angaur has been performing since installation back in 2016.

      Appreciate hearing from you soon, when your time permitting.

      Cheers,

      Reply

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