Category — Power Solutions

New advances in small-scale Micro Grid power systems have led to the development of the Optimal Power Solutions Macro Hybrid System (“MHS”). This approach brings many advantages to the supply of high quality, reliable electric power in particular applications such as isolated areas, mission critical systems and sites at difficult locations. The Macro system is now recognised as an appropriate solution for utilities where interconnected micro grids can operate together or separately depending on load demands, fuel supply constraints or security prioritised circumstances.

The Macro Hybrid System is the ideal solution for large off-grid power systems incorporating solar photovoltaics and other renewable sources that aim to achieve substantial fuel savings and extended hours of zero diesel engine operation.

For more information on this product, please download our full brochure, available at:

http://www.optimal-power-solutions.com/home/downloads/OPS_Macro_System_rev1_Apr2011.pdf

Optimal Power Solutions has recently completed upgrades to its software control at a privately-held island hybrid system in the Bahamas. OPS made various improvements in order to better support the islands unforeseen peak loads.

This included a new facility that enables separate diesel generators to charge a single battery bank simultaneously via the HPC power conditioning units. In addition, OPS also provided enhancements to its SCADA remote management software and improvements to the integration of the eight wind turbines.

We previously covered this project in an earlier article, Caribbean island lights up with OPS renewable energy technology.

Caribbean Project Photo Slideshow

Optimal Power Solutions has been contracted for the supply of power conditioning units and system integration for three sites in the Kinabatangan District of Sabah, Malaysia.

Each site compromises a solar hybrid power system that is designed for the supply of electricity to three villages of KG Batu Darat/ Laut, Kg Kuamut and KG Kuamut Seberang. The total combined solar capacity of 430kW across the three villages is expected to reduce fuel consumption by a minimum of 50 per cent. Optimal Power Solutions will provide three proprietary inverters of a combined 710kW capacity. The inverters include 2 x 250kVA Hybrid Power Conditioner, 2 x 30kVA Hybrid Power Conditioner and 4 x 100kVA Grid Export Conditioner, (further HPC & GEC information is available on our products webpage or downloads section).

The sites are very remote and can only be accessed at times via river barges. The Kinabatangan floodplain is located on the east coast of Sabah, Borneo, it is considered of enormous environmental importance for wildlife and the local community as it is arguably the last forested, alluvial floodplain in Asia. Due to the remote location and delivery routes, the cost of landed diesel is high, averaging RM$8 to RM$9 per litre in recent years. It is estimated that the systems discounted payback period for the larger villages will be less than 10 years with scope for a shorter payback period should fuel prices escalate further.

Solar hybrid systems are a particularly viable option for remote area power supply. Optimal Power Solutions is pleased to offer a complete range of proprietary inverters with full service system integration and project development inclusive of remote system monitoring software packages.

For more information please visit our Products, Projects, or Services, webpage

The above map is courtesy of Google Maps 2010.

Optimal Power Solutions is the lead renewable energy technology provider for the system upgrade of the US Navy’s China Lakes testing and training facility.

This project site is located in the Superior Valley, U.S.A. Due to the remote nature of the site, the facility requires a self-contained electrical generating system that includes a large-scale photovoltaic system.

OPS is currently supplying the power conversion equipment and system integration for this system upgrade. The upgrade aims to optimize the energy output of the site’s existing PV modules (210kWp). The existing modules will not be replaced however the previous inverter will be de-commissioned.

Due to the limitations of the existing PV modules to operate at high voltages, OPS was required to design and implement a custom boost-mode MPPT charger. This newly designed boost mode charger will enable the best possible integration of the existing PV array.

This is the same US Navy testing and training facility where an OPS system was previously commissioned in early 2009. It is expected this system upgrade will be commissioned in mid-April 2010.

OPS India has recently completed the prestigious solar power project at Governor house, Raj Bhavan, in Kolkata, West Bengal. Raj Bhavan Kolkata is the country’s first Governors residence to switch to solar power generation. India’s President Pratibha inaugurated the solar power system in December 2009.

West Bengal’s Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi (grandson of Mahatma Gandhi), The Minister for New and Renewable Energy Dr. Farooq Abdullah, President Smt. Pratibha Patil and West Bengal Green Energy Development Corporation MD Gon Chaudhuri joined together to turn on the solar power at Raj Bhavan, Kolkata. Dr. Farooq Abdullah also announced the governments allocation of Rs. One Crore ($220,000 USD) for all Governor houses in the country to introduce solar power generation.

Mr Gopalkrishna Gandhi has been striving to build awareness of carbon emissions through green and energy efficient building initiatives. The introduction of solar power at Raj Bhavan is expected to reduce the buildings carbon emissions by 40%.  The first stage implementation of solar PV at Raj Bhavan is 10kW however by March 2010 a further 40kW will be added and connected to the grid. The final system will be about 110kW.

OPS India supplied the system design, products and power integration for the Raj Bhavan system.

“We will all pool our scientific, technical and managerial talents, with financial sources, to develop solar energy as a source of abundant energy to power our economy and to transform the lives of our people”
Dr. Manmohan Singh, PM India.

Optimal Power Solutions announces the appointment of Debabrata (Deb) Ghosh as Chief Operating Officer for the global group. Deb has ten years experience in management and technical roles across a number of high tech industries.

Before joining OPS, Mr. Ghosh was a Market Manager for High Precision Slicing in Electronic and Photovoltaic materials at Saint-Gobain Corporation, the world’s largest provider of abrasive products. He has held several product management positions at Applied Materials, Inc. and Axcelis Technologies, Inc., covering a wide range of offerings including PVD, Electroplating, Spares, Services and Intellectual Property. He began his career at the Indian Space Research Organization and has also worked for Tata Consulting Engineers in the Special Projects Division.

Mr. Ghosh earned his Bachelors degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He completed his MBA from the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad in its Founding Class. Mr. Ghosh has been named as an inventor in 5 US patents related to semiconductor processing and RFID technology.

3 megawatt solar PV system to be fully online by late 2009.

Optimal Power Synergy India Pty Ptd has signed an agreement to provide all power conversion and integration work for a 3 MW grid connect Solar PV project to be installed in Karnataka, India.

Karnataka has severe power supply issues due to a reliance on hydroelectric power generation coupled with lower monsoonal rainfall over the last few years. Hydroelectric generation capacity has diminished due to low dam levels. In response the Indian Government is interested in megawatt-sized PV systems at various locations in the countryside to improve power supply to villages and rural areas.

The 3MW Karnataka project is now under construction and the first megawatt will be online by late September 2009. The remaining PV power supply will be completed by November 2009.

27th May 2009

OPS India is playing a key role in India’s first multi megawatt solar grid connect power plant which being installed at the Disargarh Power Corporation (DPC) site in Jamuria district of West Bengal.

The 2 MW Solar PV grid connect power plant is being implemented by West Bengal Green Energy Development Corporation ( WBGDCL ) for DPC.  This is the first time in India that a large solar grid connect project is being implemented with a feed in tariff for the energy being generated. The project site is just adjacent to a now defunct coal based thermal power station which makes this project all the more unique.

OPS India are supplying  250 KW Grid Export conditioner PCU’s manufactured in Kolkata, India. The project implementing agency, WBGDCL , has awarded the EPC contract for this project to Titan Solar, Hyderabad.

Project implementation is currently underway with the first MW of modules now being installed.  The power plant is being scheduled for commissioning by June 30th.

For more Flickr photos of this project please follow the photo links below.

Optimal Power provides the latest update for the Kalabakan power system. Delivery to site in East Sabah, Malaysia has been completed. Final commissioning and software setup of the station controller and automation aspects of the main AC board was completed by OPS engineers in Kuala Lumpur.

The main distribution board as shown in the photographs is 3,000 Amp rated at 415 Volts AC. The system integrates 260 kW of solar PV, 3 diesel engines, remote monitoring with automated control. The project is being undertaken for the national Utility TNB in conjunction with local partners Eramaz Technology.

The system is due to be commisoned and handed over by the end of May. For more information on this project please contact us

OPS began work in 2008 for the design supply and installation of renewable technology including a PV array, battery and inverter system in Lombok, Indonesia. The system was commissioned by Lombok’s local government with the initiative to supply Renewable Energy to the inhabitants living in the remote Kidang Village. The supply of Solar PV power services a village population of roughly 1000 people living in a spread out arrangement. The system has no diesel or grid, enabling 100% clean green and quiet energy to service the inhabitants.

OPS has just completed the project as of March 2009. Please click on the images below for better resolution.