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What is ESS
ESS is short for Energy Storage System. It is a combination of standard multipurpose Victron products, setup with an ESS configuration. In the system, there must at least be one inverter/charger and also the Color Control GX.
When to use ESS
Use ESS in a self-consumption system, a backup system with solar or a mixture of both: for example using the top 30% of the battery capacity for self-consumption, while keeping the other 70% available as a backup during a utility grid failure.
Self-consumption:
at times when there is excess PV power, the PV energy is stored in the battery. That stored energy is then used to power the loads at times when there is a shortage of PV power.
The percentage of battery capacity used for optimizing self-consumption is configurable: set it to 100% for (Western Europe / Germany). Or for locations with frequent, or even daily, grid failures, set the threshold to 80%. Only the top 20%
Keep batteries charged:
Besides using (part of) the battery for self-consumption, ESS can also be configured to always keep the batteries charged. Failures of the utility grid are then the only moments when energy from the battery is used to power the loads (backup). Once the grid is restored, the batteries will be recharged with power from the grid, and of course also solar when available.
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ESS Menu[/caption]
ESS Menu[/caption]
When not to use ESS
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Off-grid systems;
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Marine systems;
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Automotive systems;
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Inverter priority, also known as intentional islanding or Ignore AC input systems.
With and without grid-meter
ESS can both be used with an external grid-meter, and without one.
With grid-meter, a full or partial grid-parallel system.
Without grid-meter: All loads connected to AC-out. And in case of PV Inverters, also connected to AC out.
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ESS Assistant without Meter[/caption]
ESS Assistant without Meter[/caption]
Optional feed-in of MPPT Solar charger power
Power from an MPPT can be fed back to the grid. Enabled/disabled by a user setting on the CCGX: Settings → ESS.
Fronius Zero feed-in option
By using the Power Reduction feature in Fronius grid-tie inverters, the ESS system can automatically reduce the output of the PV Inverter as soon as feed-back is detected; without switching and frequency shifting.
It is not possible to combine ESS with the Fronius Smart Meter; it is not necessary either, since ESS already has metering.
With ESS, it is not possible to disable feed-in a system with other brands of grid-tie inverters.
Please visit cclcomponents.com to view all Victron products.