Microgrid control systems

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General information

Name of companyelgris
Website of companywww.elgrispower.com
Name of productelgris EMS
Product is hardware and/or software-platformhardware & software platform
Product standardized or project-specific?standardized
Distribution in which countries?worldwide
Unique selling proposition of the productIndependent EMS system with flexible adoption to project specific needs
Comments

Services of the company

Company produces microgrid control hardwareyes
Company programs microgrid control softwareyes
Company provides system integration of microgrid control hardware and softwareyes
Company provides EPC services for microgrid projectsyes
Company provides operations and maintenance of microgridsyes
CommentsWith our certified partners we offer full service

Scope of control system

Central monitoring and control unit (Hardware)yes
Control unit is standalone product or integrated into other device (if latter, which device?)Full solution for micro-grids
Other hardware components (e.g. smart meters, sensors, switches, domestic appliances, …)elgris SMART METER and environmental sensors
Software-Platform for monitoring and control of the microgridyes
Software-Platform is a cloud solution or installed on own server or computer?both is possible
Software compatible with third party hardware?yes
Hardware compatible with third party software?yes
Monitoring and/or control of microgrid via smartphone app?yes
CommentsThe EMS can be integrated with the elgris eCloud for online monitoring

Microgrid layout

Which customers is the product aimed at? (e.g. residential, commercial, industrial, community, campus, military, …)The EMS is targeting applications with a power demand > 250 kW
Focus on offgrid, grid-connected or mobile microgrids?Focus on grid replacement functionality
How many kilowatts of installed generating power can be integrated? (FROM - TO)250 kW - 10 MW
How many different generators can be integrated?Maximum 32 generators
AC bus systemyes
DC bus systemyes
Hybrid AC and DC bus systemyes
Which control strategy is used to run the microgrid? (e.g. central control, master/slave control, distributed control, …)Central control with distributed structure
Which components are needed for grid forming in islanding operation? (e.g. battery, diesel generator, …)Grid forming device eq generator or inverter
Can the system be retrofitted to existing energy system assets?yes
Can the system be expanded modularly after initial commissioning?yes
CommentsBy using standarized communication the system can easily expanded

Connectivity

Supported communication protocols (e.g. Modbus TCP, Sunspec, KNX, Zigbee, …)MODBUS RTU / TCP, SunSpec, CAN, RS-485
Supported communication interfaces (e.g. RS485, Ethernet, Wireless LAN, analog inputs an outputs, …)LAN, RS-232, RS-485, CAN
Connectable generators (e.g. solar PV, wind turbines, CHP, diesel generators, fuel cells, hydro power plants, …)All generators with the elgris SMART METER
Connectable storage systems (e.g. batteries [lead, lithium, redox flow, …], flywheels, heat storage, …)All storage with a control system (BMS)
Connectable loads (e.g. heat pumps, heating boilers, charging stations for e-mobility, refrigerators, …)All kind of loads with a control input (load management)
What components/brands can be integrated 'plug & play'?All major brands with an open interface are supported
What components/brands have to be integrated manually?Brands with a closed communication interface
How are components integrated manually? (e.g. connection boxes, command-line interface, ...)Intergated webserver for configuration
Software-Platform has graphical user interface for integration and configuration of external devices?yes
Software-Platform has graphical user interface for programming energy management options?yes
Communication between control system and energy system assets is wired or wireless?both
SCADA integration possible?yes
Other options to connect the microgrid to a higher-level distribution grid (e.g. smart meter gateway, CLS-interface, ...)MODBUS TCP interface with Sunspec mapping
Can smart home systems be integrated into the microgrid?no
Is the data encrypted during data transfer? If so, how?Yes with TLS
How is the system protected against threats from outside?With encryption and passwords
How are firmware updates realized?Locally and remote
CommentsBy using Ethernet connection full flexibiltiy is reached

Functions

Grid conntected operationyes
Islanding operationyes
Automated transition from islanding to grid-connected mode and backyes
Time required for transition from grid-connected to islanded mode (in seconds)Depending on the type of coupling this can be 0 seconds for DC coupled systems
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)opt.
Operation is also possible without connection to the internetin grid connected and islanding mode
Operation is also possible without connection to control room of higher-level distribution system operator (DSO)in grid connected and islanding mode
Asset control of distributed energy resourcesopt.
Load management defining curtailable loads and priority loadsopt.
Automated dispatch control and optimizationyes
Automated Re-dispatching in response to external orders or unplaned internal eventsopt.
Internal voltage and frequency regulation in islanding modeyes
Real time active and reactive power controlyes
Control of power exchange and voltage levels at point of interconnectionopt.
Aggregated ramp rate control at point of interconnectionyes
Phase balancing between different AC phasesopt.
Black start capabilityyes
Comments

Energy management options

Increase in self consumptionyes
Increase of self-sufficiencyyes
Peak Shavingyes
Charging of electric vehiclesyes
Energy management of thermal energy assets? (e.g. heat pumps, thermal storage, ...)yes
Backup poweryes
Zero feed-inyes
Ancillary services for public grid (e.g. frequency regulation, reactive power control, …)P/Q, F/Q, kVAR and PF control
Consideration of weather forecastsopt.
Consideration of energy load predictionsopt.
Consideration of changing energy prices on the energy marketopt.
Use of AI or self-lernings algorithmsno
Blockchain based billing and/or pay as you go solutionno
Participation in the energy marketno
Comments

Price indication

Hardware: One-time acquisition costs for central control unit (without VAT) FROM - TO (approx. retail price in Euro)495 - 2995
Hardware: Monthly maintenance costs for central control unit (without VAT) FROM - TO (approx. retail price in Euro)0 - 50
Hardware: Costs for other necessary system components? (e.g. smart meters, switches, …)125 (elgris SMART METER)
Software: One-time acquisition costs (without VAT) FROM - TO (approx. retail price in Euro)Included in hardware
Software: Monthly maintenance costs (without VAT) FROM - TO (approx. retail price in Euro)Included as a SLA with the hardware
Are there renting or leasing options? If so, what are those options?
CommentsThe elgris EMS system is a ready to use solution for a micro grid control system. Depending on the SLA all variable costs can be covered. The complete system is bankable.
Price information availableyes

Best practice project

Information on reference projects availableyes
Best practice project - ongridThe elgris ZEROplus is based on the elgris EMS platform and is used world-wide in many applications where the export of solar power is prohibited and self consumption is increased by intellignet load switching.
Best practice project - offgridThe elgris EMS controller is installed on Airport of the Galapagos Islands to reduce the Diesel consumption.

Data update

Data updateNov 2019

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