The AutoPV project is an innovative initiative by EDP that aims to introduce automation solutions into the solar business plan, starting with the first pilot in Europe for the automation of the solar structure and modules' assembly in real operation conditions. The pilot is based on Hyperflex technology from COMAU (Italy) and is being carried out during the construction of a solar PV park located in Peñaflor, Valladolid, Spain. This project underscores EDP's commitment to innovating construction methods in the renewable energy sector, as part of our strategic goal to accelerate the global energy transition through technology.
The objective of the AutoPV project is to identify and test automated solutions, both robotic and computer-aided, that assist workers in the construction of solar PV plants while increasing operational efficiency. Through automation, EDP aims to reduce solar park assembly time by up to 50%, allowing for faster deployment of renewable energy resources. Automation technology will take on heavy-lifting tasks, enabling human workers to focus on specialized roles, ensuring a safer work environment and creating a human-machine collaboration model that refines processes for improved speed and efficiency in future projects.
The AutoPV project started in 2022 after EDP Innovation's Renewables technical domain detected the global trend of automation in the renewables sector and confirmed a real business need to optimize PV construction operations. COMAU’s technology was selected for its technical maturity and impact in the construction process. The technology involves an assembly station (Hyperflex) and a rover, which positions the pre-assembled structure in its final location in the field. The system is designed to perform the heaviest tasks, contributing positively to worker's health and safety. The pilot aims to evaluate the advantages of these new technologies and their scaling potential.
EDP is at the forefront of the global trend of automation in the renewable energy sector. By investing in such an innovative solution, we contribute to making the construction of solar parks faster, more efficient, safer, and more sustainable. We believe that technology and innovation are decisive allies in accelerating the energy transition, which is why they are a strategic pillar of investment and growth for EDP on a global scale."
The project involved the collaboration and involvement from several EDP group companies and in the future we would like to implemented automation in other parts of the process and in other EDP geographies such as the US or APAC. The goal of the AutoPV team is to implement the best solutions in our solar PV plants, thus obtaining the benefits of automation for EDP on a global scale.
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