Digital twins: A game-changer for solar energy projects.

At Aquent, we're fiercely dedicated to leaving the world better than we found it. This commitment extends beyond simply reducing our environmental impact; we're on a mission to erase our entire historical carbon footprint. We're proud to announce that we've recently achieved carbon negative status, an important milestone on this journey. To reach this point, we've invested in a portfolio of solar projects across the U.S. and implemented innovative solutions to manage these assets effectively.

Like many organizations investing in renewable energy, we face challenges in maximizing the impact of these projects. From site selection and financing to ongoing maintenance and optimization, ensuring the success of these projects requires a sophisticated approach.

That's why we've implemented a cutting-edge solution: a digital twin powered by real-time data from Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. In this blog post, we'll explore how our digital twin is helping us achieve our significant sustainability goals and why this technology is a game-changer for the renewable energy industry.

Leveraging digital twins for enhanced efficiency

A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical asset or system. This dynamic model, created using real-time data, allows us to monitor, analyze, and optimize the performance of our solar projects in a way that was never before possible.

For sustainability professionals, digital twins offer invaluable insights into the performance of renewable energy assets. Here's how we leverage them:

• SCADA integration: We are deploying Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems across our solar sites. These systems will collect granular data from inverters, meters, and other critical components, providing a constant stream of information on energy production, equipment performance, and environmental conditions.
• Digital twin creation: This data is fed into our digital twin platform, which creates a dynamic virtual model of each solar project. This model allows us to visualize and interact with the system in a way that was never before possible. Imagine a 3D model of a solar farm where you can zoom in on individual panels, see real-time energy output, and even simulate the impact of shading or equipment failure.
• Advanced analytics: By applying machine learning algorithms to the data within the digital twin environment, we can identify patterns, predict potential issues, and optimize performance in real time. This might involve detecting a gradual decline in output from a specific inverter, signaling a potential malfunction that can be addressed proactively.

For sustainability professionals, digital twins offer invaluable insights into the performance of renewable energy assets.

As our solar grid grows, having a real-time overview of installations is crucial. Prior to the implementation of digital twins, one of our solar sites experienced a 35% decrease in output that went undetected for three months. Now, by utilizing streamed analytics in our digital twin, we continuously monitor inverter data and apply machine learning algorithms to detect energy output trends. System alerts notify users if output deviates from normal parameters, allowing for immediate site inspections. In one case, this led to the discovery of panels obstructed by leaves and mud after a storm. Trend analysis and fault monitoring significantly reduce downtime and increase efficiency in our solar installations.

Data-driven decisions for a sustainable future

Beyond operational efficiency, digital twins empower us to make data-driven decisions that support our sustainability objectives. By integrating historical carbon data with real-time energy production data from our SCADA systems, we can:

• Accurately track progress: Monitor our net emissions and measure the impact of our solar projects on our carbon footprint. This allows us to see, in real time, how much carbon we are avoiding by generating clean energy.
• Forecast ROI: Predict the financial and environmental returns of our sustainability investments. By simulating different scenarios within the digital twin environment, we can accurately assess the long-term viability of our solar projects.
• Align with sustainability goals: Use trend analysis to ensure our solar projects are contributing effectively to our carbon offset targets. This allows us to make data-driven adjustments to our strategy and ensure we are on track to meet our ambitious goals.

The benefits of this data-driven approach extend beyond our own operations. For example, one of our solar farms is located at the Mount Sterling Dairy farm in Ohio, where they purchase electrical energy from our solar grid to power their dairy production. By employing a digital twin, we can effortlessly access the farm’s electrical usage and streamline billing for the farm. This approach enhances efficiencies in our solar installations through real-time digital twins connected to site analytics.

A partner committed to sustainability

December 21, 2024

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Sustainability

By Multiple Contributors

At Aquent, sustainability isn't just a buzzword; it's a core value that guides our decisions and actions. We believe that businesses have a responsibility to minimize their environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future.

We're proud to have achieved carbon negative status, but we're not stopping there. Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in our long-standing efforts to measure, reduce, and offset our carbon footprint. We've been actively tracking our emissions for years, and our investment in digital twins is another example of our dedication to continuous improvement.

We believe that by working together, we can achieve even greater progress toward a sustainable future. When you partner with Aquent, you're choosing a company that:

• Shares your values: We're committed to environmental responsibility and actively seek to reduce our impact.
• Invests in innovation: We embrace cutting-edge technology to improve our performance and achieve our sustainability goals. 
• Supports your goals: We're dedicated to helping our clients and partners achieve their own sustainability objectives.

We see sustainability as an opportunity for collaboration and innovation. Our digital twin strategy is a testament to this belief, demonstrating how technology can be a powerful tool for achieving a brighter, more sustainable future for all.

Looking to bolster your sustainability efforts? Aquent Sustainability is here to help. Whether you're building an in-house Sustainability Team or need an expert to advise on best practices, our sustainability recruitment and consulting services help companies grow their impact. Get in touch.

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