Microgrid control systems

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General information

Name of companyWendeware
Website of companywendeware.com, myPowerGrid.de
Name of productAmperix EMS, myPowerGrid Plattform
Product is hardware and/or software-platformhardware & software platform
Product standardized or project-specific?both
Distribution in which countries?worldwide (excl. USA)
Unique selling proposition of the productflexible, independent of device manufacturers, strong algorithms
Commentssoftware developped by Fraunhofer ITWM

Services of the company

Company produces microgrid control hardwareno
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 microgridsno
Comments

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?)standalone
Other hardware components (e.g. smart meters, sensors, switches, domestic appliances, …)also offering meters, sensors, switches
Software-Platform for monitoring and control of the microgridyes
Software-Platform is a cloud solution or installed on own server or computer?cloud solution
Software compatible with third party hardware?no
Hardware compatible with third party software?no
Monitoring and/or control of microgrid via smartphone app?yes
CommentsAmperix EMS hardware in every building plus one centrally

Microgrid layout

Which customers is the product aimed at? (e.g. residential, commercial, industrial, community, campus, military, …)residential, commercial, industrial, community
Focus on offgrid, grid-connected or mobile microgrids?grid-connected
How many kilowatts of installed generating power can be integrated? (FROM - TO)unlimited
How many different generators can be integrated?> 100
AC bus systemdepends on connected energy devices
DC bus systemdepends on connected energy devices
Hybrid AC and DC bus systemdepends on connected energy devices
Which control strategy is used to run the microgrid? (e.g. central control, master/slave control, distributed control, …)autonomous EMS per building, one main EMS, visualisation and user inputs via web based plattform
Which components are needed for grid forming in islanding operation? (e.g. battery, diesel generator, …)grid forming by connected battery inverter or generator
Can the system be retrofitted to existing energy system assets?yes
Can the system be expanded modularly after initial commissioning?yes
Commentscontrol system connects to 3rd party devices

Connectivity

Supported communication protocols (e.g. Modbus TCP, Sunspec, KNX, Zigbee, …)Modbus TCP/RTU, Sunspec
Supported communication interfaces (e.g. RS485, Ethernet, Wireless LAN, analog inputs an outputs, …)RS485, Ethernet, 1-Wire, digital in/out, analog in/out
Connectable generators (e.g. solar PV, wind turbines, CHP, diesel generators, fuel cells, hydro power plants, …)anything with an electronic interface
Connectable storage systems (e.g. batteries [lead, lithium, redox flow, …], flywheels, heat storage, …)anything with an electronic interface
Connectable loads (e.g. heat pumps, heating boilers, charging stations for e-mobility, refrigerators, …)anything with an electronic interface
What components/brands can be integrated 'plug & play'?on request, list is expanding
What components/brands have to be integrated manually?on request, list is expanding
How are components integrated manually? (e.g. connection boxes, command-line interface, ...)integration by Wendeware AG
Software-Platform has graphical user interface for integration and configuration of external devices?no
Software-Platform has graphical user interface for programming energy management options?no
Communication between control system and energy system assets is wired or wireless?wired communication
SCADA integration possible?opt.
Other options to connect the microgrid to a higher-level distribution grid (e.g. smart meter gateway, CLS-interface, ...)reading utility meters via optical interface, SMG interface under development
Can smart home systems be integrated into the microgrid?no
Is the data encrypted during data transfer? If so, how?yes, vpn tunnel
How is the system protected against threats from outside?yes, vpn tunnel
How are firmware updates realized?online updates
Commentsgrowing list of compatible devices, new interfaces can be developped quickly, GUI based configuration being developped

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)depends on connected energy devices
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)depends on connected energy devices
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 loadsyes
Automated dispatch control and optimizationyes
Automated Re-dispatching in response to external orders or unplaned internal eventsyes
Internal voltage and frequency regulation in islanding modeno
Real time active and reactive power controlno
Control of power exchange and voltage levels at point of interconnectionyes
Aggregated ramp rate control at point of interconnectionyes
Phase balancing between different AC phasesyes
Black start capability
CommentsUPS function, islanding and frequency control by system devices

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 power
Zero feed-in
Ancillary services for public grid (e.g. frequency regulation, reactive power control, …)
Consideration of weather forecastsyes
Consideration of energy load predictionsyes
Consideration of changing energy prices on the energy marketyes
Use of AI or self-lernings algorithmsyes
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)200 to 300, plus 200 to 300 per connected building
Hardware: Monthly maintenance costs for central control unit (without VAT) FROM - TO (approx. retail price in Euro)0
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)software configuration costs 1000 to 10000 Euro depending on system size and complexity
Software: Monthly maintenance costs (without VAT) FROM - TO (approx. retail price in Euro)10 - 100, project specific
Are there renting or leasing options? If so, what are those options?
Comments
Price information availableyes

Best practice project

Information on reference projects availableyes
Best practice project - ongridSchoonship in Amsterdam
Best practice project - offgrid

Data update

Data updateNov 2019

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