Microgrid control systems

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General information

Name of companyABB Power Grids Germany
Website of companywww.abb.de
Name of productABB Ability e-mesh Control and PowerStore
Product is hardware and/or software-platformhardware & software platform
Product standardized or project-specific?both
Distribution in which countries?worldwide
Unique selling proposition of the product100% Renewable Energy possible, 25 yrs experience & 50+ projects worldwide
CommentsProven concept for professional use

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 projectsno
Company provides operations and maintenance of microgridsyes
CommentsCan be taylored to specific customer & project needs

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?)Core ABB product
Other hardware components (e.g. smart meters, sensors, switches, domestic appliances, …)Can be all integrated
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?opt.
Hardware compatible with third party software?opt.
Monitoring and/or control of microgrid via smartphone app?no
CommentsCan be taylored to specific customer & project needs

Microgrid layout

Which customers is the product aimed at? (e.g. residential, commercial, industrial, community, campus, military, …)commercial, industrial
Focus on offgrid, grid-connected or mobile microgrids?offgrid, grid-connected
How many kilowatts of installed generating power can be integrated? (FROM - TO)unlimited
How many different generators can be integrated?all kind and in parallel
AC bus systemyes
DC bus systemno
Hybrid AC and DC bus systemno
Which control strategy is used to run the microgrid? (e.g. central control, master/slave control, distributed control, …)distributed control
Which components are needed for grid forming in islanding operation? (e.g. battery, diesel generator, …)Converter with VGM (Virtual Generator Mode) and battery
Can the system be retrofitted to existing energy system assets?opt.
Can the system be expanded modularly after initial commissioning?yes
CommentsReliable concept with very high flexibility to adapt

Connectivity

Supported communication protocols (e.g. Modbus TCP, Sunspec, KNX, Zigbee, …)Modbus TCP
Supported communication interfaces (e.g. RS485, Ethernet, Wireless LAN, analog inputs an outputs, …)all of them
Connectable generators (e.g. solar PV, wind turbines, CHP, diesel generators, fuel cells, hydro power plants, …)all of them
Connectable storage systems (e.g. batteries [lead, lithium, redox flow, …], flywheels, heat storage, …)all of them
Connectable loads (e.g. heat pumps, heating boilers, charging stations for e-mobility, refrigerators, …)all of them
What components/brands can be integrated 'plug & play'?project specific integration
What components/brands have to be integrated manually?project specific integration
How are components integrated manually? (e.g. connection boxes, command-line interface, ...)specific connectors (boxes)
Software-Platform has graphical user interface for integration and configuration of external devices?opt.
Software-Platform has graphical user interface for programming energy management options?opt.
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, ...)project specific integration
Can smart home systems be integrated into the microgrid?no
Is the data encrypted during data transfer? If so, how?yes
How is the system protected against threats from outside?ABB Cyber Security concept
How are firmware updates realized?project specific integration
CommentsCan be taylored to specific customer & project needs

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)0
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)yes
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 resourcesyes
Load management defining curtailable loads and priority loadsopt.
Automated dispatch control and optimizationopt.
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 interconnectionyes
Aggregated ramp rate control at point of interconnectionyes
Phase balancing between different AC phasesopt.
Black start capabilityyes
CommentsCan be taylored to specific customer & project needs

Energy management options

Increase in self consumptionyes
Increase of self-sufficiencyyes
Peak Shavingyes
Charging of electric vehiclesopt.
Energy management of thermal energy assets? (e.g. heat pumps, thermal storage, ...)opt.
Backup poweryes
Zero feed-inyes
Ancillary services for public grid (e.g. frequency regulation, reactive power control, …)yes
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 marketopt.
CommentsCan be taylored to specific customer & project needs

Price indication

Hardware: One-time acquisition costs for central control unit (without VAT) FROM - TO (approx. retail price in Euro)project specific
Hardware: Monthly maintenance costs for central control unit (without VAT) FROM - TO (approx. retail price in Euro)project specific
Hardware: Costs for other necessary system components? (e.g. smart meters, switches, …)project specific
Software: One-time acquisition costs (without VAT) FROM - TO (approx. retail price in Euro)project specific
Software: Monthly maintenance costs (without VAT) FROM - TO (approx. retail price in Euro)project specific
Are there renting or leasing options? If so, what are those options?
CommentsDepending on System size and requirements
Price information availableno

Best practice project

Information on reference projects availableyes
Best practice project - ongridplease see attached pdf, page 26 - Skagerak Arena
Best practice project - offgridplease see attached pdf, page 7 - Robben Island

Data update

Data updateNov 2019

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