INDUSTRIAL VISIT TO IBRI-2 SOLAR POWER PLANT 

Thirteen (13) students along with two lecturers: Mr. V. Veera Nagi Reddy and Mr. B. Santhosh, from the Electrical and Mechanical Section, Engineering department visited Ibri-2 Solar Power plant on 2nd of March 2022, Wednesday. The Ibri-2 Solar PV Independent Power Plant is an Oman’s largest utility scale renewable energy power plant with capacity 500 mega-watt in Ibri, Plant is setup around 13.025 square km in terms of area and which is connected to national power grid. 

The purpose of the visit was to provide industrial exposure for the students through real time experiences on the working & operation of Solar Photo Voltaic panels, inverter connection with power grid and its control, Underground Cables, Circuit Breakers, Bus bars, Potential Transformers, and Power Transformers. 

After reaching the power plant, Mr. Mohammed Al Muqbali, Site Engineer explained the safety rules to be followed inside the power plant and plant layout. Mr. Mohammed Al Muqbali, Ms. Noor Salim Al Abri and Mr. Hamood Mohammed Al Shuaili, Site Supervisor gave a demonstration on:  

• Solar plant control and monitoring system through SCADA system
• Electrical system configuration of PV inverters 
• Process involved in robotic solar panel cleaning 
• Detailed explanation of PV modules working principles
• Clear understanding about series and parallel connection of PV panels
• Working of bus bars and sub-station
• Process involved in synchronizing PV systems with grid

During the session, the students interacted with the engineers very effectively. All the students expressed sincere thanks to the officials for the given opportunity. This visit was highly beneficial for the students in having practical exposure about various concepts in solar power plant.