PPC Power Ramp Up

[Auxi Madero]

Hello, 

I would like to know if it is possible to introduce a real event occurring at one PV site into a simulation, which is the ramp-up limitation of the PPC that only allows a setpoint of 20% of the MEC (maximum export capacity). I.e., because of that, the inverters power output does not follow immediately the growths in irradiation at the same speed.

Would it be possible to introduce any parameter in the simulation that imitate that behaviour to account that losses?

I really appreciate any help you can provide.

Best regards.

[Michele Oliosi]

If I understand correctly, when this event happens, there is a more restrictive grid-injection limitation or grid curtailment.

There is no functionality to cover that in a single simulation, at the moment. However, you could run two simulations, one with the normal, and the other with the more restrictive grid curtailment limit. If you export the hourly CSV files (https://www.pvsyst.com/help/output_file.htm), you can then use a data analysis or spreadsheet tool to combine the data when you wish during the year.

[Michele Oliosi]

Let us know if I didn't understand the ramp-up part correctly. I am not sure if you are writing about a simple grid curtailment or something more complex.

[Mister Alex]

Yes, it’s possible, what you’re describing is essentially a ramp-rate limitation at the plant controller level. In your simulation, you’d need to introduce a dynamic constraint on active power output, such as a maximum % of MEC per minute (or per second) change rate, rather than letting inverter output instantly track irradiance. This can be modeled as a ramp limiter or first-order lag on the power setpoint coming from the PPC. By applying that rate-of-change constraint, the simulated output will lag during fast irradiation increases, reflecting the real-world limitation and associated energy losses.