Weather Monitoring Station for ISTP plants in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is at the forefront of renewable energy development in the GCC region, consistently achieving new milestones in its journey towards sustainability. As part of this vision, KSA is transitioning to renewable energy sources and reshaping its ecosystem around key applications. One notable initiative is the development of Integrated Solar Thermal Power (ISTP) plants, which rely on solar energy rather than conventional power sources. This transition marks a significant step in KSA's commitment to a sustainable future.

Challenge

The Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) has successfully developed three ISTP plants in KSA that are powered by Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems. The plants, located in Buraydah, Tabuk, and Madina, are integral to meeting the country's growing energy demands while aligning with sustainability goals. However, the efficiency of the solar PV systems is highly dependent on real-time weather data, which is crucial for understanding how environmental factors influence power generation.

Solution

To address this challenge, Aeron’s Weather Monitoring Station (WMS) was implemented at the three ISTP sites. Aeron’s Xtreme Series data loggers (XG-930) were deployed to collect and process data from various weather-related sensors. These sensors provide essential parameters that directly impact solar power generation, including

• Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI)

• Plane of Array (POA)

• Surface Module Temperature

• Ambient Air Temperature

• Relative Humidity

• Wind Speed and Wind Direction

• Soiling Index Measurement System (to monitor soiling losses)

Aeron’s smart XG-930 data logger processes the data from multiple sensors using a 24-bit ADC, ensuring minimal errors (±0.01% of FS at 30°C). The processed data is then transmitted to the SCADA system over TCP-MODBUS for further analysis and decision-making.

Implementation

The weather monitoring stations were strategically deployed at each of the three ISTP plants, each designed to cater to different power capacities:

• 5.5 MW (Buraydah)

• 4 MW (Tabuk)

• 1.8 MW (Madina)

These plants are ground-mounted without solar trackers, making accurate weather data even more crucial for optimising solar power generation. The weather stations are built to withstand the extreme environmental conditions of Saudi Arabia, with Aeron’s WMS capable of operating in temperatures ranging from -30°C to +75°C, including the humid conditions typical of the region.

Key Features of Aeron’s WMS:

• Compliance with Standards: Aeron’s weather station is classified under CLASS-A and meets international standards, including IEC-61724:1 and IEC-61004-12-1:2022, ensuring reliable performance in demanding environments.

• Durability: Aeron’s WMS is designed to operate under extreme conditions, from high temperatures to harsh humidity levels, ensuring uninterrupted service in KSA’s challenging climate.

Results

The installation of Aeron’s weather monitoring systems has been pivotal in enabling the SWPC to make informed decisions regarding the performance and efficiency of their solar-powered ISTP plants. With real-time weather data, SWPC can better manage operations, optimise energy generation, and address challenges related to weather patterns such as temperature fluctuations, humidity, and soiling losses.

Conclusion

The integration of Aeron’s weather monitoring technology into the ISTP plants in Saudi Arabia underscores the country’s commitment to renewable energy and sustainability. As the demand for energy continues to grow exponentially in KSA and across the globe, Aeron is proud to contribute to such prestigious projects that help shape the future of energy.

Project Overview

• Project Developed By: Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC)

• Deployment Month: January 2025

Author: Sagar Pathak (Manager Business Development -IoT)