Objective
Objectives
The objective of the project is to develop and validate a new device to install in the DC wiring of PV systems in order to improve overall safety. This new device will be capable of
detecting faulty conditions such as electric arcs due to
failing contacts, ground faults, out of voltage circuits, etc.. In particular, the device should possibly be able to identify the location of such micro-arcs and their nature: loss of
isolation or loose contacts, and eventually clear them.
The final result of the project should be the development of a comprehensive PV array safety concept including
specifications for equipment and procedures for DC-arc
prevention, arc detection and arc suppression.
Technical Approach
The collection of information concerning fault conditions,
especially of fires, which occurred in PV systems generated by arcs and micro-arcs in the DC wiring, connection boxes, switch boards etc. and their analysis will supply the basis to
recognize the common-mode failures generating the arc.
Laboratory arc tests will permit the understanding and
characterising of the phenomena; while, by means of field
experiments, the lab results will be validated .
An arc detector device which analyses the noise spectrum
created by an arc will be developed.
The problem of the discrimination of signals coming from the environment (e.g. inverter or diffuse noises like radio
frequencies) will be solved for different categories of plant and site.
By means of computer simulations the influence of the array
configuration on the propagation of the arc signal will be
assessed.
Expected Achievements and Exploitation
The outputs of this project are:
- The research and the identification of common failures
causing an arc in DC wiring.
- A deep knowledge of the development of an arc in DC wiring. Specifications concerning arc prevention and installation
procedures.
- Specification of arc containment by using suitable equipment and installation procedures.
- Specification of an active arc detector circuit, using arc detection and suppression with a suitable disabling procedure. - Setting-up of a device or family of devices suitable to be installed in different PV systems to improve general safety
and capable to prevent fires generated by electric DC arcs.
- The arc detector device could be installed in all PV systems to be erected by the partners of the project and, with a
licence agreement at reasonable conditions, by all EU PV
installers.
- This device should increase the safety of small and large PV power plants by providing protection against fires originated by arcs in the DC wiring of PV plants.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering information engineering telecommunications radio technology radio frequency
- social sciences sociology social issues social inequalities
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels renewable energy solar energy photovoltaic
- natural sciences mathematics applied mathematics mathematical model
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
16151 Genova
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.