Renewable Energy and Nuclear Power

Renewable Energy and Nuclear Power: The Future of Offshore Solar

As countries worldwide seek to reduce carbon emissions and transition to clean, renewable energy sources, the Netherlands is leading the way by exploring floating solar farms. Prime Energy (PE) is dedicated to bringing this innovative technology to landlocked areas, particularly in the Caribbean region, including the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), British Virgin Islands (BVI), Puerto Rico, Barbados, and the Bahamas.

The Need for Innovative Solutions

Many densely populated nations face challenges in finding large areas of land suitable for utility-scale solar projects. As a result, these countries are turning to the water to establish solar farms, allowing for the efficient use of space while contributing to renewable energy goals.

Advantages of Offshore Solar

Similar to large-scale offshore wind power projects, offshore solar offers numerous benefits:

Enhanced Efficiency: Solar panels situated on water tend to stay cooler, resulting in higher efficiency ratings compared to those installed on land.
Cost-Effective Location: The costs associated with land acquisition and site preparation are minimized, making offshore solar a financially attractive option.
Modular Installation: Solar generation can be designed in modular units that are assembled on land and transported to the site, allowing for lower installation costs and quicker deployment.

The Netherlands Leads the Way

According to a recent report by Reuters, the Netherlands is set to launch an offshore solar initiative that includes a pilot project for a floating solar farm. Located about nine miles off the coast of The Hague, the project will start with an initial 30 square meters of solar panels and will expand to cover 2,500 square meters. This project is expected to generate enough clean energy to power approximately 500 typical Dutch homes and is managed by Utrecht University.

Wilfried van Sark, a solar energy expert and lead investigator at Utrecht University, emphasized the additional benefits of offshore solar, stating, “In addition to removing the problem of a land shortage, there are several other benefits to building at sea, similar to those in wind energy.”

PE’s Commitment to Sustainable Energy Solutions

At Prime Energy, we recognize the importance of leveraging innovative technologies to address the challenges of renewable energy development. By introducing floating solar farms in regions with limited land availability, we aim to help meet the growing energy demands of these communities while promoting sustainability and reducing carbon footprints.

Together, we can harness the power of the sun and make significant strides toward a cleaner, greener future.

Advancements in Offshore Solar Energy

“There is more sun at sea, and there is the added benefit of a cooling system for the panels, which boosts output by up to 15 percent,” says Allard van Hookem, founder of Oceans of Energy, the innovative company behind the Netherlands’ latest offshore solar project. Van Hookem predicts that offshore solar energy will eventually become cheaper than offshore wind and traditional mainland power sources, primarily due to the absence of land costs.

China’s Innovative Floating Solar Plant

The Dutch initiative is not the first to recognize the advantages of offshore solar generation. In a notable example from last year, Chinese company Sunglow launched its first floating solar power plant. However, this facility does not sit on the ocean; instead, it is strategically located on a massive flooded coal mining site. This unintentional manmade lake serves as a natural cooling system, significantly enhancing the performance of the 40-megawatt solar farm. The facility is connected to the grid in Huainan, demonstrating a creative approach to repurposing environmental disaster sites for renewable energy generation.

The Future of Offshore Solar

Both the Netherlands and China exemplify the growing recognition of offshore solar energy’s potential. As technology advances and innovative projects emerge, the future of renewable energy is increasingly looking towards our water bodies to harness solar power. Prime Energy remains committed to promoting and implementing such pioneering solutions, paving the way for a more sustainable and eco-friendly energy landscape.

Innovations in Offshore Solar Energy: The Role of Integrated Inverter Technology

Sunglow, a leader in integrated inverter technology, has taken significant strides in the offshore solar energy sector with their central inverter model, the SG2500-MV. This advanced inverter combines integrated inverter, transformer, and switchgear functionalities, resulting in a turnkey station that not only minimizes transportation costs due to its compact 20-foot containerized design but is also ruggedized to withstand high humidity and salt spray conditions. Such innovations are essential for the longevity and efficiency of solar installations in challenging marine environments.

Japan’s Commitment to Offshore Solar

Japan stands at the forefront of offshore solar energy development, exemplified by the Kagoshima Nanatsujima Mega Solar Power Plant. Launched in 2013 through a partnership that included Kyocera, this 70MW facility was established to leverage Japan’s feed-in tariff (FIT) for renewable energy generation. Following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, the Japanese government restructured its FIT program to ensure local utilities purchase 100% of the power generated from solar installations exceeding 10 kilowatts for 20 years, driving significant interest and investment in solar energy.

Seawater as a Resource for Solar Panel Manufacturing

Seawater is emerging as a potential game changer for solar panel manufacturers. Traditionally, Cadmium Chloride has been a crucial component in photovoltaic (PV) panels, but its toxic nature and high cost (around $300 per kg) pose challenges for both production and environmental safety. Researchers from the University of Liverpool have discovered that Magnesium Chloride, abundant in seawater, can serve as a safer and more economical alternative. Priced at just $1 per kg, Magnesium Chloride is non-toxic and is already utilized in products such as bath salts and tofu.

The potential transition from Cadmium Chloride to Magnesium Chloride in solar panel production could lead to substantial cost savings and reduced manufacturing risks. Importantly, the efficiency remains comparable, allowing for the continued generation of renewable energy while relying on abundant natural resources. This shift could make solar technology more accessible, leading to wider adoption and a more sustainable future.

As Prime Energy continues to explore and implement innovative renewable energy solutions, the advancements in offshore solar technology and sustainable materials reflect our commitment to a greener world.

PRIME ENERGY played a crucial role in the LCRA 3 138KV Switch Yards project in Iraan, Texas, which serves as vital infrastructure for LCRA’s wind and solar farms. This project involved extensive testing and implementation of advanced electrical systems.

The project included six 53’ A-steel frames and three 26,000 lbs each T-Lines that needed to be set.
Coordinated and supervised multiple electrical contractors and electrical facility design.
Created MODBUS Tags and link to Analog and Discrete Tags Alarms, Trends and Historization
Integrated SCADA with all HT and LT substation Remote Relay Settings
Event and Alarm list with time stamp Time synchronization of all the equipment’s Measurement with data quality
Monitoring of network equipment’s Audible alarm with filtering
Detailed reporting of feeder data Two LAN subnet for substation and control room Three levels of Security
The Wonderware client system consists of whole substation SLD, Individual substation SLDs, Measurements, Trends, Alarms, and Events
By using the links one can easily view the Alarm/Event list, and trends (Real-time/Historical) and Relay details of a particular feeder.
Drilled and poured 105 piers of concrete for each site of 8.0AC pads.
Drilled 350 feet of grounding well for each pad and 50 feet beyond first water.
All FOP resistance testing passed on each site.

Oversaw the following:

Trenching, Backhoe, or Plowing was done three feet deep to control building wiring on each site.
Installed Fiber Patch Panels for each site and connected them in the AEP and Next ERA fiber boxes.
Optimization of the cable trench pair
Primary and Secondary/Service Cable Installation Splicing and Terminating
Transformer and Switchgear Installation and testing
Switching and Tagging Meter Installation Directional Boring
Physical substation design including yard layouts, plans, sections, and details, grounding, lightning protection, control building arrangements, interior and exterior raceways, auxiliary AC/DC power systems, and associated bills of material.
Understanding of construction documentation, including familiarity with architectural, structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and civil engineering drawings.

Additionally, knowledge of construction contracts and specifications.
Protection and control design including panel arrangements, one line/single lines, three lines, AC schematics, DC equipment wiring, and relay panel wiring
Prepared calculations for studies and reports (grounding, lighting protection, AC/DC load studies, etc.)
Prepared equipment specifications for procurement and/or factory acceptance testing.
Installed Fiber Patch Panels for each site and connected them in the AEP and Next ERA fiber boxes.
Optimization of the cable trench pair
Primary and Secondary/Service Cable Installation Splicing and Terminating
Transformer and Switchgear Installation and testing
Coordinated design activities with other departments (Civil/Structural, Networks, Transmission Line, etc.)
Kept track of a 750 line item material tracker for all three jobs.
Knowledge of concrete placements and finishing processes T.O.C and elevation issues.
Knowledge of grading, traffic and pedestrian circulation, utility placement and design, parking lots, soil erosion mitigation methods, landscaping and lighting, and Storm Water Management.

PRIME Energy on GEH Principal Nuclear Consultant Wilmington, NC – Prototype design for Argonne NL Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Worked on the ARC-100 advanced small modular reactor (aSMR) for Canada’s Bruce Power projects.
Worked on the Exelon BWR and PWR digital upgrade projects for all their Nuclear power plants.
Internet of things SW development project connecting Sales Force with SAP.
Industrial Controls and SCADA software like Citect, Wonderware, GE Cimplicity, and Iconics applications. Responsible for coordinating software configuration, integration development, testing and deployment, and vendor technical activities.
Tested instrumentation to ensure the meter is working properly.
Assisted Maintenance in Procurement of repair/upgrade scopes for major turnarounds.
Designed the plant start-up, normal process operation, normal process upsets, normal shutdown, and abnormal situations in training and simulation mode. Experience with troubleshooting equipment and components 20 25 MW Gas Turbines were replaced due to the turnaround. Ability to disassemble, troubleshoot, repair, assemble/align main turbines, substations, feed-water pump turbines, and associated components.
Experience in basic machine shop skills, bearing maintenance, associated valve maintenance,
coupling, and internal component alignment, mechanical seals, and basic rigging practices. ·
Disassembled, inspect, reassemble, and restore turbine components as defined by the station
Installed and commissioned the following Gas Chromatographs, and UV/IR Continuous Gas Performed modeling updates as needed in the project including SCADA and Substation Editor (SSE) modeling.
Provided the standard Viewer Configuration Editor (VCE) for deployment and managed all necessary VCE changes.
Provided modeling information for the ADMS applications, as needed and in a format consumable by the ADMS conversion processes without further manipulation.
From an Engineering perspective, supporting the business to ensure that the company’s Geographic Information System (GIS) data model is sufficient to support the ADMS model needs including Feeder circuit connectivity and Topology and phase information on all devices. Internet of things SW development project connecting Sales Force with SAP.
Experience within T&D Organizations: EMS, ADMS, GIS, OMS, NERC CIP, SCADA applications.
Industrial Controls and SCADA software like Citect, Wonderware, Cimplicity, and Iconics applications.
Responsible for coordinating software configuration, integration development, testing and deployment, and vendor technical activities.
Working knowledge of cybersecurity and security tools
Lead the maintenance of the enterprise compliance policies and procedures
Lead the annual CIP-002 Cyber System identification process
Lead the personnel security awareness, training, and access administration processes, CIP-004
Managed the BES Cyber System Information protection program, CIP-011
Lead the compliance of the CIP-013 standard, Supply Chain Security

PRIME Energy on the Siemens Energy Canada Bruce Power Projects.

Designed the 3-D model for field instrument orientation check to ensure all field devices will work and operating and maintenance access is provided
Designed the plant start-up, normal process operation, normal process upsets, normal shutdown, and abnormal situations in training and simulation mode
Experience with BWR Reactor and GT Disassembly and Reassembly Experience with troubleshooting equipment and components. For their nuclear projects at Bruce Power and NB Power using the PCS7 DCS. Strong in converting Windows XP Application software into Windows 7 platform for all process units. 20 years of experience using VB, VBA, Fortran, and C++/C#/C programming languages.
20 years of experience using MS Visual Studio or other integrated development environments (IDE).
The following Siemens Combined Cycle Gas Turbines were implemented on the PCS7 and T2000/T3000 DCS systems. Auxiliary Systems Module for Fuel Gas, Hydraulic Oil, Instrument Air, Lube Oil Auxiliary Systems Module for Fuel Oil, Purge Water, NOX Water Compressor Cleaning Skid Compressor Dehumidifier Skid Air Intake Filter House Air Intake Duct Exhaust Gas Diffuser Stack or Bypass Stack with Diverter Damper Power Control Center Electrical I&C Equipment Low Voltage Transformer for Static Excitation Equipment Low Voltage Transformer for Starting Frequency Converter
Electrical Generator CO2 Fire Protection Lube Oil Fin-Fan Cooler Generator Fin-Fan Cooler.
Performed and analyzed network loads for the main distribution system.
Interfaced the AB 1730 package skids with the PCS-7 and T2000/3000 DCS systems.
Extensive Wonderware experience with PCS7 and T2000/T3000 DCS.
Facilitated the development, monitoring, and control of various process loops associated with real-time process applications such as BWR, and HVAC.
Loops included RWLC, RRFC, FWHDC, pressure and turbine control, rod control, waste plant control, and power control.
Preparation of general arrangement drawing for instrumentation control panels,
Designed of I/O list. Excellent understanding and knowledge of Electrical Distribution Systems at Low (480V).
Designed one-lines, three-lines, control schematics, wiring diagrams, relay panel arrangements, and cable lists for high voltage (69-500kV) substations.
Proficient in the use of Power Analysis software ETAP and SKM

PRIME Energy Sentinel Energy Wind Farms Project 15775 Palm Springs, CA Scope:

Prepared site for disassembly Received delivery of new Brush rotor on Unit 7 100 MW GE CCGT LMS1000 with MK VIe Controls. Disassembled to remove existing rotor Prepared cribbing and rail system for rotor extraction. Pulled existing rotor Set existing rotor on rotor stands. Removed new rotor from the shipping crate and placed on rails Installed new rotor.
Reassemble and Prepared the old rotor for storage and shipment. Commissioned the new controls. Clean up site and tooling.
SCADA, PLC, and DCS system design/redesign.
Relay settings Programming and relay characteristic and function Retesting
SCADA and RTU communication system integration, programming, and function Retesting