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--- ess:design-installation-manual [2019-10-07 10:02] – boekel
+++ ess:design-installation-manual [2020-08-03 23:57] – [4.3 GX device - ESS Settings] simonhackett
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== ESS Design & installation manual ======
+{{:ess:ess_diagram.jpg?direct&400|}}
 ===== 1. ESS Introduction & features =====
@@ Line 11: / Line 13: @@
 When an ESS system is able to produce more power than it can use and store, it can sell the surplus to the grid; and when it has insufficient energy or power, it automatically buys it from from the grid.
-In the ESS system, there must at least be one inverter/charger and also a [[venus-os:start|GX device]]:
+In the ESS system, there must at least be one inverter/charger and also a [[venus-os:start|GX device]] such as:
-  * [[https://www.victronenergy.com/panel-systems-remote-monitoring/color-control|Color Control GX]]
+  * [[https://www.victronenergy.com/panel-systems-remote-monitoring/cerbo-gx|Cerbo GX]]
   * [[https://www.victronenergy.com/panel-systems-remote-monitoring/venus-gx|Venus GX]]
@@ Line 52: / Line 54: @@
 Where there is no grid-meter; all loads are connected to AC-out. And where there is a PV Inverter present, that is also connected to AC out.
+{{:ess:ess_no_meter.jpg?direct&400|}}
 === Optional feed-in of MPPT Solar charger power ===
@@ Line 146: / Line 150: @@
 For a full or partial grid-parallel installation an Energy Meter can be installed in the main distribution panel between the grid and the installation.
-https://www.victronenergy.com/live/energy-meterdfs
+A grid meter is not required where there are no AC renewable-energy source(s) and also no AC load(s) present on the the //input// side of the Multi/Quattro system (i.e. where all such sources and loads are on the //output// side of the Multi/Quattro system).
-A grid meter is only //required// when there is an additional energy source (e.g. PV) connected between the grid and the //input// side of the Multi/Quattro systems. If all renewable-energy sources are connected 'downstream' (on the output side) of the inverter/chargers a grid meter will not be required, but can be added.
+If there is any AC renewable energy source //or// any AC load between the grid connection point and the input side of the Multi/Quattro system, incorrect results will be calculated and recorded by the GX unless a grid meter is installed and enabled.
+In particular, without a grid meter:
+  * When renewable energy is being provided on the input side, the grid value will be wrong (too low/negative); and
+  * The AC Load value shown will be too low (and will show zero where there is a surplus of renewable energy).
+Both issues are resolved by installing a grid meter.
+[[https://www.victronenergy.com/live/energy-meters:start|Click here for more information about the configuration of grid meters.]]
 === PV (optional) ===
@@ Line 334: / Line 347: @@
   * Victron 12.8V Lithium batteries, and other lithium batteries that have passive cell balancing
-Because it makes no sense to leave a battery discharged, without reserve power in case of mains failure, we recommend leaving BatteryLife enabled on the following battery technologies, too:
+Because it makes no sense to leave a battery discharged, without reserve power in case of mains failure, we recommend leaving BatteryLife enabled for systems using Lithium with active cell balancing, however it //can// be disabled in this case.
-  * Lithium with active cell balancing
+Redflow specifies that BatteryLife should be disabled in [[battery_compatibility:redflow_zcell|Redflow ZCell]] installations, because the ZCell battery can rest at zero SoC without damage for an unlimited period, and also because the BatteryLife function conflicts with the ZCell battery maintenance cycle.
-  * [[battery_compatibility:redflow_zcell|Redflow ZCell]]
-However, BatteryLife //can// be disabled in these cases.
 === 4.3.2 Grid meter installed ===
@@ Line 380: / Line 390: @@
   * //Slow charge//: ESS will slowly charge the battery when the SOC has been below the actual SOC limit for more than 24 hours. It will keep slow charging until the lower limit has been reached at which point the system once again switches to //Discharge disabled//.
   * //Sustain//: the Multi/Quattro has gone into sustain mode after the battery voltage has reached the dynamic cut-off voltage during discharge.
+  * //Recharge//: ESS will recharge the battery to the minimum SOC limit if it drops more than 5% below the minimum configured SOC. Once the minimum SOC is reached the system once again switches to //Discharge disabled//.
 === 4.3.9 Limit charge power ===
-This setting limits the amount of AC power used by the Multi for battery charging. The limit also applies to AC power received by the Multi from a grid-tie PV Inverter.
+This setting limits the amount of AC power used by the Multi for battery charging. The limit also applies to AC power received by the Multi from any grid-tie PV Inverters connected to AC-in.
-In other words, this setting limits the flow of power from AC to DC.
+In other words, this setting limits the flow of power from AC to DC on utilities connected to AC-in.
   * This setting does not reduce the charge power coming from //MPPT Solar Chargers//.
@@ Line 411: / Line 422: @@
   * In the same menu, set Sunspec Model Type to int + SF
   * In Settings->DNO Editor, make sure dynamic power reduction is set to No limit (this is the default).
+  * In Settings->DNO Editor, make sure that in the 'Controlling Priorities' section that 'Controlling via Modbus' is set to be priority 1.
+{{:ess:settings-dno-priority.png?400|}}
 Use the __Fronius Zero feed-in active__ menu item to double check that all above criteria are met. It will show **No** if the firmware requirement; the Data export; or the Sunspec Model type settings are incorrect.
@@ Line 676: / Line 690: @@
 (Make sure you install the ESS on L1. If it's installed on another phase the visualisation will be wrong.)
-==== 7.2 Three-phase ESS ====
+==== 7.3 Three-phase ESS ====
 A three-phase ESS system has at least one Multi installed on each phase. We recommend leaving the phase-compensation setting to its default: enabled.
@@ Line 834: / Line 848: @@
 With ESS in Optimize mode the system will always remain connected - even when the batteries are full. And although connected, the power draw is not substantial - this configuration offers the stability of the grid without additional grid consumption.
-=== Q4: Why is the VE.Bus state in //pass-through//? ===
+=== Q4: Why is the VE.Bus state in pass-through? ===
 In ESS, the conditions for the VE.Bus system to be in //pass-through// (ve.bus state: passthru) are:
-  * When the CCGX is no longer receiving data from the grid meter. Note that this is only for systems that are configured with an external grid meter. For systems without grid meter, see the Settings -> ESS -> Control without grid-meter setting.
+  - When the GX device is no longer receiving data from the grid meter. Note that this is only for systems that are configured to have an external grid meter. See the Settings -> ESS -> Control without grid-meter setting.
-  * Systems with a canbus-connected lithium system only: when the CCGX is no longer receiving information from the battery, via the canbus.
+  - Systems with a canbus-connected lithium system: when the GX device is no longer receiving information from the battery, via the CAN-bus.
-  * When charging the battery is not allowed (BMS max charge current = 0A, or max charge power = 0W) and there is excess PV power.
+  - When charging the battery is not allowed (BMS max charge current = 0A, or max charge power = 0W) and there is excess PV power.
-  * When discharge is not allowed (BMS max discharge current = 0A, or low SOC, etc...) and loads on AC-Out force the Multi/Quattro to exceed the AC input current limit.
+  - When discharge is not allowed -and- loads on AC-Out force the Multi/Quattro to exceed the AC input current limit.  Reasons for not allowing discharge: BMS blocks discharge (DCL=0), or battery SOC level is below the 'minimum SOC' setting in ESS, when SOC is at least 3% above the set level, discharge is allowed again.
+  - A grid code is in use that requires the enabling of battery discharging by aux-inputs. Check the used grid-code in VEConfigure and compare with the electrical signals provided to the Inverter/charger in its AUX inputs.
+  - The Loss of Mains detection (LOM) causes issues, often in combination with a high impedance connectivity to the utility. For details see [[ve.bus:grid-codes-and-loss-of-mains-detection|]].
 === Q5: How can I suppress low battery warnings? ===
@@ Line 875: / Line 891: @@
 Switching off in overload, while connected to the grid, is caused by the active Loss of Mains (LOM) detection, linked to the country code as configured in VEConfigure3.
-This behaviour occurs when the AC supplied on the AC-in of the Multi or Quattro is 'weak'. By 'weak' we mean that the AC connection to the utility has a higher impedance than usual. For example a generator, or an old or remote house connected with a too-long and/or too/thin cable to the utility.
+This behaviour occurs when the AC supplied on the AC-in of the Multi or Quattro is 'weak'. By 'weak' we mean that the AC connection to the utility has a higher impedance than usual. For example a generator, or a house connected with a too-long and/or too-thin cable from the Inverter/Charger to the utility.
 For the solution and configuration options, see [[ve.bus:grid-codes-and-loss-of-mains-detection|]].
-=== Q9: Why does my MultiGrid refuse to feed-in? ===
+=== Q9: Why are my loads powered by the grid instead of battery or solar? ===
-A MultiGrid system can enter a state where feed-in (more precisely: converting DC to AC while connected to the grid) is disabled.\\ This happens when, at the moment of connection to the grid, there is not enough DC power to perform the required relay test. (N.B. this relay test is part of the grid code specification - and is mandatory). In order to perform this test the Multigrid must be able to run from battery during a period of time (depending on the selected grid code but usually about 1 minute).\\ If this is not possible, the system enters a //deadlock// situation (if no precautions are taken) as it will not be allowed to connect to grid.\\ Therefore the following exception is made: When the device cannot perform the relay test, it still switches to grid but will not feed-in. Once a minimum amount of time has passed (about 15 minutes) and the battery voltage has risen to at least 14V (for a 12V system) the MultiGrid assumes that there will be enough DC power to run from the batteries and it will automatically switch to Invert, then perform the relay test, and switch back to grid. Only then feed-in will be enabled again.
+Check list in case loads are being powered from the mains/grid, while expected to be powered from the battery:
-Therefore there is no need to worry - the system will resume feed-in automatically once the battery has been charged.
+__First of all__, check that the system is not preventing discharge because the battery state of charge is below a limit. See the [[#controlling_depth_of_discharge|Chapter 6 - Controlling depth of discharge]].
-=== Q10: My battery is first discharging, and then charged every night? ===
+__Secondly__, in case of a Managed Lithium battery, ie a battery with a CAN-bus connection, check that the battery hasn't disabled discharging: see the battery entry in the Device List menu, and then go to the Parameters submenu and see the Discharge Current Limit (DCL) entry. In case that shows zero, the battery is telling the system to not discharge any further.
+__Thirdly__, feed-in may be disabled because the ESS Relay test is still pending: the inverter/charger (ie Multi/Quattro) in an ESS System needs to perform a relay test before it can use battery power. During the test, it needs to run in inverter mode shortly (~1 minute), and needs enough spare battery capacity to do so. In case the battery voltage is too low while connecting to the grid, the system switches on in pass-through and/or battery charging mode, and, while waiting for the battery to be recharged sufficiently (to do the relay test), it will not feed-in. Meaning that it will not convert DC to AC power, and hence will not power the loads from the battery, and similarly will also not convert any power coming from Solar Chargers to AC: will not power loads with DC-coupled solar power either. And the same: it will not sell excess DC-coupled solar power back to the grid.
+The relay test will be performed once either the battery voltage has been recharged above 14/28/56 volt, or when the battery has been recharged to above 20% SOC. To check if a system is in this state, see the ESS Relay test entry in the Advanced submenu of the Multi/Quattro entry in the device list. It will show either Pending, or Completed. Note that that menu entry is only visible for systems with an ESS Assistant installed.
+__Fourthly__, feed-in may be disabled when a grid code (like the German or Australian grid code) uses the aux1 input to disable feed-in, and aux1-in is used by something else (like an AC-sensor or a BMS), this way feed-in can be disabled. Simply un-check the option in the grid-code settings to prevent this.
+__Lastly__, check that the rocker switch on the unit is set to On, rather than to Charger-Only. When set to charger-only, the unit refuses to discharge the battery. Note that to check this, you really need to physically check the rocker switch: you can't see its state by looking on VRM or on the GX Device. On a MultiPlus-II, this rocker switch is at the bottom of the unit and needs to be in the I position, not on II.
+__Finally__, if all above didn't help - temporarily disable LOM to make sure that is not causing an issue. Detailes in this document: [[ve.bus:grid-codes-and-loss-of-mains-detection|]].
+=== Q10: Why does the system refuse to discharge my battery? ===
+See Q9.
+=== Q11: My battery is first discharging, and then charged every night? ===
 The recharge you are seeing might be part of the Sustain protection. Consider increasing the minimum SOC level. For example increase it with 5%; and then check what happens.
@@ Line 892: / Line 924: @@
 Search this manual for Sustain to learn more.
-=== Q11: My Battery is not discharging ===
-A similar wording for the same question is: my loads are being powered from the mains, rather than the battery.
-See the [[#controlling_depth_of_discharge|Chapter 6 - Controlling depth of discharge]].
 === Q12: What is auto-recharge? ===
@@ Line 906: / Line 933: @@
 The same applies to other solutions where the wiring is not protected against accidental removing, for example a simple cable with end-user removable plug, such as a portable power supply.
+===== 10. Troubleshooting =====
+Trouble shooting steps:
-===== Troubleshooting =====
+  - Start with checking firmware versions (needs to be latest). And when asking questions; report the exact firmware versions that are used.
+  - Check battery type/brand. If lead then it might be unsuitable and probably broken because of the heavy cycling.
-- Start with checking firmware versions (needs to be latest). And when asking questions; report the exact firmware versions that are used.
+  - If some unknown or unsupported CANbus battery; change the battery to a supported type.
+  - Check the state of the inverter/charger, if its Passthru, then there is an issue. Details are available in Q4 in the previous chapter.
-- Check battery type/brand. If lead then it might be unsuitable and probably broken because of the heavy cycling.
-- If some unknown or unsupported CANbus battery; change the battery to a supported type.
 Then; if PV is not used enough to power loads;
-- Check for the # reason codes; see CODE KEY in this manual.
+  - Check for the # reason codes; see CODE KEY in this manual.
+  - Check wiring: lots of voltage drop between MPPT and multi will prevent the system from effectively powering AC loads from solar power.
-- Check wiring: lots of voltage drop between MPPT and multi will prevent the system from effectively powering AC loads from solar power.
+  - Test with and without SVS enabled: leave it disabled.
+  - Next, check MPPT charge current limit during the time that it is not used enough. MPPT CCL is supposed to be high always; even when battery full. Unless there is a temperature issue.
-- Test with and without SVS enabled.
+  - Now check MPPT Charge Voltage Setpoint. It is supposed to be above actual battery voltage.
-- Next, check MPPT charge current limit during the time that it is not used enough. MPPT CCL is supposed to be high always; even when battery full. Unless there is a temperature issue.
-- Now check MPPT Charge Voltage Setpoint. It is supposed to be above actual battery voltage.
-Note that those last two setpoints are determined by software; and calculated based on the setpoints sent by the (CANbus connected) lithium battery: you can't change change them manually. Looking at them however does help understanding why certains things are happening;
+Note that those last two set points are determined by software; and calculated based on the setpoints sent by the (CANbus connected) lithium battery: you can't change them manually. Looking at them however does help understanding why certain things are happening;
 ===== DISQUS =====
 ~~DISQUS~~