Indaver deploys integrated power management system for grid-compliant solar generation

Indaver operates in the sustainable waste management sector, with activities spanning waste treatment, recycling, and energy recovery across Europe. At its Hooge Maey site near Antwerp, the company converted a former landfill into a solar park comprising approximately 32,000 photovoltaic panels.

The installation was designed to generate around 21 GWh of electricity per year, supplying renewable power to the surrounding industrial region. To connect this capacity to the Belgian grid, the site had to meet strict grid-code requirements set by transmission system operator Elia. Indaver also needed to ensure stable operation under variable generation conditions and avoid operational risks linked to incorrect setpoint handling or unfavourable market conditions such as negative electricity prices.

Solution selection
To address these requirements, Indaver selected an integrated power management system capable of coordinating solar generation with grid obligations. ABB was chosen to deliver the power management system, including a Power Plant Controller, while the energy management system was supplied by Phoenix Contact.

The solution was selected for its ability to manage grid-code compliance, control logic, and coordination between the power management layer and the existing energy management system. This integration was intended to ensure accurate setpoint execution, reliable grid interaction, and controlled curtailment when required.

Deployment and integration
ABB’s scope covered a full grid-code compliance study, development of the required control logic, and delivery and commissioning of the Power Plant Controller. The system was integrated with Phoenix Contact’s energy management system, which is widely deployed in Belgium.

The project followed a compressed timeline. The grid compliance study started in early June, with an initial report delivered in July. Commissioning of the Power Plant Controller was completed by the end of September. Technical deliverables included functional design specifications, acceptance test protocols, and a Simulink-based software model compiled for deployment on Phoenix Contact’s PLCnext platform.

Results and operational impact
The integrated PMS–EMS architecture enables the Hooge Maey solar park to operate in compliance with Belgian grid codes while supplying renewable electricity to the industrial area around Antwerp. The system reduces the risk of operational errors in setpoint management and supports curtailment strategies to limit exposure to negative electricity pricing.

By stabilising grid interaction and improving operational control, the installation supports reliable delivery of approximately 21 GWh of renewable electricity annually. The project also demonstrates how former industrial sites can be repurposed into grid-supporting energy assets, contributing to both local energy resilience and long-term operational efficiency.

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