KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Photovoltaic Industry Association (MPIA) has launched a data collection system (DCS) platform following the support granted by the Energy Commission (EC) and Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB).
This will support the growth of the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry with a faster installation period and lower cost.
MPIA president Davis Chong Chun Shiong is pleased to introduce the DCS platform, as it signifies the agency's commitment to improving the data collection of the solar PV systems installed in Malaysia.
"Apart from a lower implementation cost for solar PV users, the DCS supports a faster delivery time as data will be transmitted directly to our data concentrator unit (DCU) and, subsequently, the TNB master control station.
"With that, the DCS will only require around three weeks of delivery time as compared to the supervisory control, and data acquisition (SCADA) usually takes up to two months," he said in a statement.
The DCS platform has been established as an alternative to the SCADA system, a data monitoring system required under the distribution code enforced by EC for solar PV systems with a capacity of 1 megawatt (MW) and above.
It represents a cost-effective option for monitoring the power generated by the generators on the grid while being compatible with the TNB master control station.
As DCS's maintenance service is included in the yearly subscription fee, the total cost over 25 years is around 60 per cent lower than the conventional SCADA system, which involves a one-time payment and subsequent annual maintenance costs.
"To develop a cost-effective alternative to SCADA, we have been working with EC to obtain approval for DCS project implementation, seeking clarification from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on licensing requirements, as well as tackling possible cybersecurity matters with TNB's information technology (IT) specialists.
"Looking ahead, we strive to venture into more technological innovations in making solar PV more cost competitive. This will promote the adoption of solar PV as a sustainable source of electricity supply in Malaysia," Davis added.
Power system automation solution provider Grid Vision T&D Sdn Bhd is involved in the design, supply, installation, test and commission, as well as the operation and maintenance of the DCS Platform.