H2air GT has invested in the integration of its own monitoring and control center with a dedicated team. This new Operation Control Center (OCC) service enhances the digitalisation of operational services and optimises the performance of your renewable energy parks.

Processing information in real time

With its dedicated tool, H2air GT has access to aggregated data on the status of distribution networks, machines, electricity markets, etc., enabling it to be more responsive and anticipatory.

Strengthening cyber security

Controlling the connection of our assets gives us the tools we need to manage cyber risks, in compliance with the European NIS 2 directive, to which companies in the energy sector in particular are subject.

Improving the safety of people and property

Wind farms are subject to ICPE (Installations Classified for Environmental Protection) regulations. Our monitoring and control center ensures a rapid, coordinated response in the event of an emergency. It also improves the safety of our teams.

Reducing environmental impact

The protection of avifauna in wind farms requires the observance of special protection protocols. Our monitoring and control centre ensures that these guidelines are strictly applied with a high level of responsiveness. For example, if a farmer starts work that attracts birds of prey, we can stop the wind turbines to limit the risk of collision.

Customized software

We use ESPX software, published by BaxEnergy:

• This software is scalable and allows us to integrate our customers’ future assets (solar, storage, hydrogen) and information from a range of external feeds, such as APIs (application programming interfaces). We can merge information sources (weather, energy metering, planning, etc.), define reporting functionalities according to our needs, analyse the large amount of data available, etc.
• Control and administration of the integrated system by an industrial IT engineer in charge of developing the software according to our customers’ needs.

A dedicated team

Five people monitor and operate the installations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, backed up by an on-call team. Composed of an engineer and experienced ex-maintenance technicians, our team enhances the quality of the work carried out by the operations managers dedicated to your sites:

• By collecting and processing data directly, the operators free up the operations managers, allowing them to spend more time in the field and working with customers.
• Control operations can now be carried out on a single turbine, a group of turbines or a delivery station. A single person can perform these operations quickly.

Mirova chose H2air GT for the commercial and technical running of wind park in Useroles (Burgundy).

Built in 2019 and composed of 8 Nordex N117 turbines, this park has innovative camera systems for the protection of the avifauna, for which H2air GT will ensure the operational qualification in cooperation with the manufacturer and the administration.

This agreement brings the wind power volume entrusted by Mirova to 63 MW.

Bruno Lafont, Director of Operations, says: « I would like to thank warmly Mirova asset management team which renews its confidence in the services provided by H2air GT, and also for the quality of the relationships which combines high standards with mutual respect ».

H2air GT now operates the new Tulipes windfarm (Somme), which won the first french wind public tender bid. There are nine Vestas V126 turbines and one V117 with a total capacity of 36 MW.

H2air GT teams took over the turbines, set up on February 1, 2021.

The windfarm is connected to HTA/HTB network (225 kV) with Tulipes connection station, built by H2air group. This station will be operated by Somme SICAE, in partnership with H2air GT.

Our windfarm managers are responsible for the compliance of the electric sites with the legal requirements.  Our team uses the latest big data technologies to make an optimal running from the start.

H2air GT technical team organized today a refresher training for working at heights and rescue in a wind turbine environment, on the wind farm Coquelicot 2.

A tailor-made training program based on GWO standard has been supervised by Pierre Launay, wind energy expert within the training organization IFOPSE. The Wind Farm Managers were trained to handle various emergency situations and get familiar with different evacuation equipment.

Where regulations expect a retraining every 2 years, H2air GT goes beyond with an annual exercise as part of its training program and skills development.

Today, the implementation of Vestas’ PowerPlus^TM program has been finalized on Seine Rive Sud wind turbines. H2air GT suggested this optimization to his client EKZ to improve the performance of the site.

The wind farm consists of 16 wind turbines, Vestas V90, set up at the end of 2012. Developed and built by H2air, it is operated by H2air GT since the beginning.

PowerPlus^TM program consists of physical aerodynamic add-ons on the blades (Gurney Flaps and Vortex Generators) as well as software upgrades. After a test period in 2018 on some of the wind turbines, which demonstrated a power output increase of 1 to 2%, it has been decided to implement the upgrades on the remaining turbines this summer.

Bruno Lafont, Operations Director at H2air GT, is proud of this successful cooperation with the client’s asset manager and the wind turbine manufacturer: « Performance improvement and production optimization is a daily priority for our Wind Farm Managers».

H2air GT together with his partner Heliopales is carrying rope access blade inspections during this summer.

Summer time is always the occasion to organize different types of inspections and maintenances. The good weather conditions, more comfortable for the teams, is also necessary for some works on the blades for example.

An important part of the portfolio under management at H2air GT will then be inspected during this summer. The blade inspections are performed at regular intervals to ensure the good condition of the blades and to check the lightning protection system. When defects are found all necessary repairs are then performed.