EDF Energies Nouvelles announces the commissioning of Toucan photovoltaic facility (5MW) in French Guiana. The new solar power plant integrates energy storage capabilities and features electrical control systems equipments highly innovative.
The 5MW Toucan solar power plant is located in Montsinéry. The technology used on Toucan offers improved forecasts of delivered power and reliable services for the grid manager:
- Toucan's electrical control systems are remote-controlled using innovative softwares developed by EDF Store & Forecast and EDF Energies Nouvelles to provide the grid manager with specific daily production outlook ;
- The plant's batteries contribute to the stability of the French Guiana power grid by storing energy when surplus amounts are generated, and releasing it when needed. Teams from Sunzil took charge of the solar generator, and the storage system was built by the FIAMM-NIDEC consortium.
Compliant with the demanding specifications, Toucan innovates on improved management of electricity generation to overcome the relative fragile power grid in such areas.
Antoine Cahuzac, CEO of EDF Energies Nouvelles said during the plant's commissioning: "The Toucan solar power plant, with its innovative commercial-scale energy storage system, marks an important technological step forward in this sector. It culminates a major research program by EDF Energies Nouvelles and the EDF group, which could not have been run without support, over several years, from the local authorities and from the French government under its Energy Transition Program."
With more than 55,000 First Solar thin-film solar panels, the power generated will produce the equivalent of the annual electricity consumption of over 4,000 French Guiana homes. The electricity is sold to EDF under a 20-year agreement.
Construction of the Toucan solar power plant mobilized up to fifty employees on-site. Concerning the operation phase, facility's remote control and operations and maintenance will be provided by EDF EN Services, working cooperatively with Sunzil and FIAMM-NIDEC teams.