Solar-Log Smart Energy — more functions with enhanced usability
At the Intersolar Europe, Solare Datensysteme will be releasing a new firmware version. In addition to the intuitive user interface for the Smart Energy functions, the new firmware version offers flexible configuration of the integrated components – for example, heat pumps, heating rods and power generators (CHP) – even based on measurement readings.
Targeted surplus management and flexible surplus prioritization
With the surplus management function of the Solar-Log, plant operators can feed a percentage of the generated PV power output into a public grid and use the rest of the energy for self-consumption. This allows operators, for example, who have a 70% feed-in restriction to fully use their generated PV power.
This can be flexibly deployed thanks to the freely definable surplus prioritization. The plant operator determines the order in which the integrated electrical appliances and generators will be turned on. For example, it can be setup that surplus PV power is first used to produce warm water or is primarily used to operator an air conditioner. The prioritization settings for the appliances can be adjusted to the current needs at any time via the Solar-Log user interface.
Control simulation for plausibility
The new firmware version of the Solar-Log system provides the option to simulate the individual Smart Energy settings. With the simulation, one can check when a particular appliance or generator is turned on or off when presented with a particular set of conditions.
For example, a sunny day with low energy consumption is compared to a rainy day with high energy consumption to check if the surplus management reacts in the desired way. This simulation check allows the individual configurations to be adjusted during the initial set up.
When a PV plant has existing data, a particular day from the past can be selected for the simulation. In such cases, the production and consumption values are available as a reference. By using these reference values, the settings can be checked under realistic conditions.
Control History for Maximum Transparency
With the help of the new firmware version, all of the relevant Solar-Log Smart Energy data is presented in a concise overview. This allows the control of appliances and generators to be checked at any time and, if needed, to be optimized. Depending on the particular type of components used, information such as operating time, temperature and output values is displayed. Moreover, the available surplus for each component or the switching state of individual contacts can be viewed chronologically.
Intelligent Combined Heat and Power Generators Production Control
For operators of combined heat and power generators (CHP) with high power requirements, intelligent control of CHPs is particularly attractive. The Solar-Log activates or deactivates the CHP depending on the amount of power coming from the grid. In addition, the time periods and operating times can be configured. This allows CHPs to also operate efficiently in the summer months, reducing expenses for power purchased from the grid considerably. The new Solar-Log control option for CHPs also offers quicker adjustments for power regulations based on the current values rather than average values.
Simplified and Intuitive Device Detection
The manufacturer-independent Solar-Log energy management system is already compatible with components such as inverters, heat pumps and battery storage systems from more than 100 manufacturers. And the number of components is constantly increasing the battery storage systems from Fronius, Sonnen and Varta have been recently added.
Together with the high and continuously growing number of components, the configuration of the components used has become more and more complex. To ensure the intuitive and quick defining of devices despite the numerous components and configuration options, this section has been revised and simplified with the new firmware version. It is also now possible to connect several components via the Ethernet network connection.
Product details: Solar-Log Release 3.5.0
Release Date: June 2016
Availability: Worldwide
Solar-Log – Export Restriction Box
The UKs grid network capacity for feed-in energy produced by a solar PV installation is becoming more of a concern, with some G59/3 applications even being rejected completely by the responsible DNO. In other areas, grid saturation constraints lead to stipulated maximum reverse power limits imposed by the DNO, which is often far less than the peak theoretical limit that the Solar PV array can produce.
Historical solutions to overcome these export limitations were focused primarily on a basically electro-mechanical shut-down of the solar PV inverter bank, either in part or entirely, which is not an ideal solution, as the generation/yield of the system can potentially be severely compromised.
The Solare Datensysteme GmbH (SDS), together with its distributor Sibert Instruments Ltd (Sibert Solar), developed the Solar-Log Export Restriction Box. The Export Restriction Box combines the inherent power-management capabilities of Solar-Log control systems with a fail-safe backup unit, should the control system fail or ceases to be effective. This solution is a standardized, yet scalable framework to provide dynamic, closed-loop power management control over the inverter bank, suitable for up to 2 MWp size arrays.
Product details: Solar-Log – Export Restriction Box
Release Date: Available
Availability: United Kingdom
Solare Datensysteme GmbH will be exhibiting at Intersolar from 22 to 24 June 2016 Hall B2, Booth 330.
