Data Logger and Power Plant Controller

The Q.reader offers reliable and flexible solutions for the data logging and power plant control "PPC" of utility scale and industrial and commercial (I&C) PV power plants.

Read moreKey featuresVariants

DAQ scheme

The Data Logger can record several thousand data channels with a resolution of up to one second. With functions like voltage regulation, reactive or active power control, and control of power factor at the grid connection point all Distributed Network Operator (DNO) requirements are provide to maximize grid stability. The real time Linux based Q.reader has multiple input and outputs for the signal connections. The module concept allows flexible upgrade of the number of inputs and outputs. The Gantner Instruments Plant Controller provides all functionality for the Smart Grid for today and tomorrow.

All power generation plants that feed into the German medium or high-voltage grid need to use a certified power plant controller. In 2020 Gantner received the certification for grid-compliant feed-in according to VDE-AR-N 4110 and 4120 for its Q.reader PPC. The PPC’s task is to comply with the setpoints and default procedures required by the grid operator for the system at the grid connection point and to control active and reactive power. Gantner’s Q.reader is based on most recent technology and intended to fulfil the new specifications for faster and more accurate provision of setpoints.

Data logger certification

Key Features

  • Data Logger
    Records several thousand data channels with a resolution of up to one second
  • Protocols
    Modbus-RTU, Modbus TCP, inverter protocols, sensor protocols
  • Data Transfer
    FTP, SFTP, FTPS Server and Client functionality
  • API
    REST API
  • Simple HMI
    Web browser-based visualization and control
  • Configuration Interface
    Browser based web-frontend
  • Absolute production constraint
    Absolute production constraint is a controlling function which serves to limit the amount of active power generated by the plant at the point of connection
  • Power gradient constrain
    To prevent disturbances on the network, the power gradient constraint enforces a gradient at which the plant must ramp its active power to the desired set point.
  • Voltage Control
    The voltage control function is mutually exclusive with reactive power control and power factor control and serves to regulate the voltage at the point of connection.
  • Reactive Power Control
    Reactive power control is mutually exclusive with voltage control and power factor control and serves to regulate the reactive power at the point of connection
  • Power Factor Control
    Power factor control is mutually exclusive with reactive power control and voltage control serving to regulate the plant at a constant power factor at the point of connection
  • Frequency Control
    Frequency control as defined in the grid code considers both under frequency and over frequency conditions

Q.reader 203 description

The “Q.reader” is a data logger which can make the logging and control of all required PV plant information: string level (current, voltage), inverter data, meteorological data from weather stations, grid measurements and other state variables (switch gear, transformer status). At the same time, it also acts as the power controller for the grid operator.

This accurate data acquisition and control concept is inverter independent and gives feedback about losses due to inverter malfunction, soiling, shading, PV Module degradation etc. .

The Linux based platform can control up to 100MW plants with just one controller and fulfils all international requirements as the IEC 60870 (communication protocol for supervisory control and data acquisition) for reactive power, ramp rates, etc. or Germany’s BDEW (“Erzeugungsanlagen im Mittelspannungsnetz”). Data collection can be down to one second or more, which is often required by utilities to zoom for grid impacts tests.

Signal conditioning, data storage and transfer, compressing, and communication in many ways are the strengths of this flexible data solution. For communication industry standard Modbus protocols for easy and fast integration is used which enables reliable data exchange within the network. For longer communication distances fiber optic technology is used.

Data transfer is possible by cable (Ethernet/ LAN) or wireless (GPRS/3G or 4G, WiFi) – the loggers meet all standard security requirements (SSL) with lowest power consumption.

Q.reader 203 key features

  • Data logger with integrated Plant control for reactive power, ramp rates etc. Up to 100MW of logging and control per device Control according to IEC 60870 (communication protocol for supervisory control and data acquisition)
  • Analog and digital inputs and outputs via Q.series I/O modules 24 bit resolution, sample rate 0.1 s up to 24 h
  • 4 x RS485 fieldbus interface Up to 115,2 kbps
  • Ethernet interface for configuration and data transfer TCP/IP, UDP, FTP Server and FTP Client functionality Configurable functions
  • Grid interaction based on IEC 60870, DNP 3
  • Connectivity Protocols from all leading inverter manufacturers are integrated I/O devices (e.g. weather stations, medium voltage parameters)
  • Data memory with individual logging interval 8GB flash 0.1 s up to 24 h, individual per channel
  • Configurable monitoring with auto-alarming via e-mail or SMS local arithmetic functions
  • Direct link to the gantner.webportal for worldwide data access
  • Operating system Linux

Q.reader 602 description

The “Q.reader” is a data logger and a power plant controller “PPC”.
The Q.reader can handle the logging and control of all information needed to operate a PV power plant:

  • string level (current, voltage)
  • inverter data
  • meteorological data from weather stations
  • grid measurements
  • other state variables (switch gear, transformer status).

At the same time, it also serves as power plant controller “PPC” for the grid operator. The accurate data acquisition and control concept is inverter independent and gives feedback about losses due to inverter malfunction, soiling, shading, PV Module degradation etc..
The Linux based platform can control up to 10MW plants with just one controller and fulfils all international requirements e.g. VDE-AR-N 4110 and VDE-AR-N 4120.

    Q.reader 602 key features

    Q.reader 602

    • Data logger and Power Plant Controler for reactive power, ramp rates etc. can handle up to 10MW per device (scalable)
    • 2 RS485 fieldbus interfaces, up to 115,2 kbps, galvanically isolated
    • 2 Digital Inputs
    • 2 Ethernet interfaces for configuration and data transfer TCP/IP, UDP, FTP Server and FTP Client functionality, Configurable functions
    • 2 USB interfaces
    • Analog and digital channel extension via Z.bloxx or Q.series modules with up to 24 bit resolution, sample rate 1 s up to 24 h
    • Connectivity: Protocols from all leading inverter manufacturers are integrated, I/O devices (e.g. weather stations, medium voltage parameters)
    • Data memory with individual logging interval, 8GB flash, 1 s up to 24 h, individual per channel
    • Configurable monitoring: local arithmetic functions
    • Direct link to the gantner.webportal for worldwide data access
    • Operating system: Linux

    With optional Extension 01

    • 6 RS485 fieldbus interfaces, up to 115,2 kbps, galvanically isolated
    • 6 Digital Inputs
    • 1 Digital Counter Input (S0) up to 1kHz

     

    COM.bloxx 602 "COM Server" description

    The COM.bloxx 602 “COM Server” is an extension module of the Gantner Q.reader data logger / power plant controller “PPC”.

    The data transmission is possible via cable (Ethernet / LAN). The COM.bloxx 602 meets the standard security requirements.

    The data acquisition system grows with the requirements. It is possible to expand the system with distributed measurement modules at any time.

    The COM.bloxx 602 in operation with the Q.reader head unit is able to handle the logging and control of all information needed to operate a PV power plant:

    • string level (current, voltage)
    • inverter data
    • meteorological data from weather stations
    • grid measurements
    • other state variables (switch gear, transformer status)

      COM.bloxx 602 "COM Server" key features

      • Extension module for the Q.reader
      • 2 x RS485 fieldbus interface, up to 115,2 kbps, galvanic isolated
      • 2 Digital Inputs
      • 2 Ethernet interfaces for configuration and data transfer TCP/IP, UDP
      • Analog and digital channel extension via Z.bloxx or Q.series modules, up to 24 bit resolution, sample rate 1 s up to 24 h
      • Connectivity Protocols from all leading inverter manufacturers are integrated, I/O devices (e.g. weather stations, medium voltage parameters)

      With optional Extension 01:

      • 6 RS485 fieldbus interfaces, up to 115,2 kbps, galvanically isolated
      • 6 Digital Inputs
      • 1 Digital Counter Input (S0) up to 1 kHz

      COM.bloxx 104 "Q.reader" description

      The “Q.reader” is a data logger and a power plant controller “PPC”.
      The Q.reader can handle the logging and control of all information needed to operate a PV power plant:

      • string level (current, voltage)
      • inverter data
      • meteorological data from weather stations
      • grid measurements
      • other state variables (switch gear, transformer status).

      At the same time, it also serves as power plant controller “PPC” for the grid operator. The accurate data acquisition and control concept is inverter independent and gives feedback about losses due to inverter malfunction, soiling, shading, PV Module degradation etc..
      The Linux based platform can control up to 10MW plants with just one controller and fulfils all international requirements e.g. VDE-AR-N 4110 and VDE-AR-N 4120.

        COM.bloxx 104 "Q.reader" key features

        • Data logger and Power Plant Controler for reactive power, ramp rates etc. can handle up to 10MW per device (scalable)
        • 4 x RS485 fieldbus interface Up to 115,2 kbps galvanic isolated
        • 4 Digital Inputs
        • 1 Digital Counter Input (S0) up to 1kHz
        • Ethernet interface for configuration and data transfer TCP/IP, UDP, FTP Server and FTP Client functionality Configurable functions
        • Analog and digital channel extension via Z.bloxx or Q.series modules up to 24 bit resolution, sample rate 1 s up to 24 h
        • Connectivity Protocols from all leading inverter manufacturers are integrated I/O devices (e.g. weather stations, medium voltage parameters)
        • Data memory with individual logging interval 8GB flash 1 s up to 24 h, individual per channel
        • Configurable monitoring local arithmetic functions
        • Direct link to the gantner.webportal for worldwide data access
        • Operating system Linux

        COM.bloxx 104 "COM Server" description

        The COM.bloxx 104 “COM Server” is an extension module of the Gantner Q.reader data logger / power plant controller “PPC”.

        The data transmission is possible via cable (Ethernet / LAN). The COM.bloxx meets the standard security requirements.

        The data acquisition system grows with the requirements. It is possible to expand the system with distributed measurement modules at any time.

        The COM.bloxx modules in operation with the Q.reader head unit is able to handle the logging and control of all information needed to operate a PV power plant:

        • string level (current, voltage)
        • inverter data
        • meteorological data from weather stations
        • grid measurements
        • other state variables (switch gear, transformer status)

          COM.bloxx 104 "COM Server" key features

          • Extension module for the Q.reader
          • 4 x RS485 fieldbus interface Up to 115,2 kbps galvanic isolated
          • 4 Digital Inputs
          • 1 Digital Counter Input (S0) up to 1kHz
          • Ethernet interface for configuration and data transfer TCP/IP, UDP
          • Analog and digital channel extension via Z.bloxx or Q.series modules up to 24 bit resolution, sample rate 1 s up to 24 h
          • Connectivity Protocols from all leading inverter manufacturers are integrated I/O devices (e.g. weather stations, medium voltage parameters)

          Get in touch and let's start together

          We are happy to advise you on your project and to help you to solve your challenges. We look forward to your inquiry.

          Start inquiry now