Experience example
Windfarm System Migration
Keeping a windfarm in production whilst transitioning ownership is a complex process.
Industry
Energy
Sector
Wind
Project
- The client purchased a windfarm operating 43 turbines with a generation capacity of 131MW.
- As part of the purchase a custody transfer of all the existing control and monitoring systems was required, including several niche service provider systems.
- It was critical that during the custody transfer that production was maintained.
- The client formed a project team to manage the commercial and technical transition.
- Cromarty were engaged as the specialist integrator to manage and implement the systems migration.
Solution
The project was highly complex as not only did multiple stakeholder’s need to be transferred but the interactions between the systems and production needed to be maintained. This involved a high level of technical understanding of complex control systems and the interaction with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).
Main works included:
- Audit and document the existing network architecture.
- Develop revised architecture and cyber security requirements to accommodate existing and new stakeholders.
- Plan and conduct migration.
- Develop and deploy energy trading dashboard.
- Develop and implement semi-dispatch mechanism with AEMO.
- Migrate O&M services to a new control room.
- Restructure communication systems while maintaining visibility.
- Provide ongoing 24/7 technical support.
- Provide ongoing system maintenance and upgrades.
Outcome
From commencement to completion the custody transfer took approximately 9 months and was seamlessly delivered in line with the commercial transition of the asset without any loss of production. The system audit ensured that the communications systems were fully documented aiding ongoing support. The AEMO semi-dispatch was successfully developed and implemented and has not only greatly reduced non-conformances but now been deployed on other client assets as well as on over 30 other renewable assets.