The project marks a significant step in Indaver’s mission to turn waste into opportunity. By transforming a former landfill into a large-scale solar park, the company reinforces its role in the circular economy and contributes to a more sustainable energy future for the Antwerp industrial region.
Integrated solution for reliable, compliant energy delivery
ABB was selected to deliver a comprehensive power management system that integrates seamlessly with the energy management system (EMS) provided by Phoenix Contact, the market leader in EMS solutions in Belgium. ABB’s scope included a grid-code compliance study, development of control logic, and delivery of a Power Plant Controller (PPC) to ensure the solar park meets the technical requirements of Belgian grid operator Elia.
“ABB’s expertise in electrification, automation and digitalization enabled us to deliver a fully integrated PMS that reduces operational risks and ensures reliable grid interaction,” said Dries van Laerhoven, Digital Solutions Architect, ABB Energy Industries. “By combining our strengths with Phoenix Contact, we’ve created a streamlined solution that supports Indaver’s sustainability goals and future-proofs their energy infrastructure.”
From landfill to energy asset
The Hooge Maey solar park is a flagship example of how smart engineering can repurpose industrial sites for renewable energy generation. The PMS-EMS integration minimizes errors in setpoint management and enables curtailment strategies to avoid selling at negative electricity prices, all while maintaining compliance with grid codes. The project timeline was ambitious: ABB began the grid compliance study in early June, delivered the first report in July, and commissioned the PPC by the end of September. The deliverables include detailed functional design specifications (FDS), acceptance test protocols, and a Simulink-based software model compiled for Phoenix Contact’s PLCnext platform.
“With this project, Indaver confirms its role as a driver of innovative solutions. Through smart engineering, we are giving a second life to our landfill as a massive solar park,” said Karl Huts, CEO of Indaver. “Not only are we strengthening our own sustainability, but we are also supporting the future resilience of Antwerp’s industry by investing in a stable and green energy supply for our partners.”
The project not only supports Indaver’s sustainability ambitions but also contributes to the resilience of the local industrial ecosystem by providing a stable, grid-supporting, renewable energy source.
