This page is currently under construction and will be continuously expanded. Please let us know what information you would like to see here and elsewhere.
The information on this page is only intended as an initial guide, as the requirements differ between the various direct marketers and are therefore not universally valid. If this article does not provide the information you require, we will be happy to advise you on your individual case.
Requirements for direct marketing (DVM) & remote controllability (FSB)
The following requirements apply to the establishment of direct marketing:
- Controllable and readable generation units (e.g. inverter of a PV system, generator of a CHP unit, etc.)
- Access to the controller of the energy generation system (EZA controller) via WAN (Internet / VPN) using a router
- If necessary, access to meters / grid analysis devices
The following must be provided to the direct marketer as part of the remote control capability:
- Possibility to control (switch off) the generators
- Measured values of the system...
- without own consumption:
Only the generation capacity of the generating units - with self-consumption:
The generation output of the generating units and the output at the grid connection point (NAP)
- without own consumption:
Abbildung 1: Messkonzepte
Meters & measuring concepts
Meters are always prescribed by the grid operator (NB) for energy generation systems. One meter is always located at the NAP and thus measures the sum of all generation and consumption in relation to the grid. Other meters are connected upstream of individual generation plants so that they only measure their generation. As a rule, no meters are connected directly upstream of consumers. The total consumption can be determined from the difference between the total power generated and the power measured at the NAP. The NB provides metering concepts that are adapted to various scenarios.
The meters used by the DSO are used, among other things, to monitor the power flowing into or out of the grid and for billing by an energy supply company (ESCO), which is why these meters are sometimes referred to as ESCO meters. Strictly speaking, they are provided by a metering point operator (MSB), which often belongs to the NB, which is why these meters are labeled NB in the figure (marked in red).
These meters are so-called RLM meters. As a rule, the customer does not have full access to them. Only the tapping of an S0 signal is partially granted by arrangement. S0 signals are transmitted in the form of counting pulses and therefore have a comparatively low resolution. However, these values are usually sufficient for the DVM.
If a generation unit (e.g. an inverter of a PV system) itself provides measured values, these can often also be used. Meters that are installed in addition to the existing meters of the grid operator and only measure the output of the generation units (marked in green) are therefore usually not required for remote controllability.
Feed-in limitation, zero feed-in & shutdown of the system
A special role is played by a meter or grid analysis device (NAG) installed by the customer at the NAP (marked in blue) for systems with self-consumption. If an Amperecloud log is used, Amperecloud can implement a feed-in limitation control based on the measured values obtained there. This may be required by the grid operator. The S0 signals mentioned above do not provide sufficient resolution to implement this type of control.
For systems without self-consumption, no additional meter is required for this, as the output of the generation units can be limited directly without having to take the unknown of the current consumption into account.
Feed-in limitation
Feed-in limitation means that no more than a specified nominal value of power is fed into the grid, regardless of the current generation and consumption. Meanwhile, self-consumption continues to be served. If self-consumption is greater than generation, power can be drawn from the grid at any time.
Zero feed-in
Zero feed-in is a special case of feed-in limitation in which no power may be fed into the grid at any time, i.e. the nominal value is zero. This means that the generation units only cover their own consumption and are curtailed beyond that.
Lockdown of the system by the direct marketer
In the context of direct marketing or remote controllability, the feed-in limitation has a special status. If the DVM sends a command to switch off the system, this de facto means that zero feed-in is to be implemented. Self-consumption may therefore continue to be served. However, if feed-in limitation is not possible due to the lack of a high-resolution meter or NAG at the NAP, the generation units must be switched off completely, which means that self-consumption can no longer be served. Please note the contractual details with your direct marketer.
Complex systems
It is not uncommon for systems to have a much more complex structure than the cases described here. In particular, plants with several separate sub-generators should be mentioned here, which are remunerated differently and partly carry out a (balanced) full feed-in and partly a surplus feed-in. The role of market locations (MaLo) and metering locations (MeLo) is crucial here (see below).
Please contact us to discuss the setup of your system. Please note, however, that after reviewing your concepts, we can generally only offer you a list of the data points to be transmitted, but not detailed advice on the creation of your measurement concept.
Measuring location (MeLo)
In simple terms, a MeLo is a location where a meter is installed that performs metering. Each MeLo is assigned a metering location ID (MeLo ID) by the grid operator, which can be used to identify it and assign it to a market location.
Market location (MaLo)
A MaLo is not necessarily to be regarded as a physical location but rather as a virtual point. It is viewed as if it were being fed into the public grid. However, this view is purely of a balance sheet nature. In physical terms, the energy under consideration does not have to flow through the NAP in the direction of the public grid, but can flow directly from a producer to a consumer on the site of the plant.
This can be illustrated using the example shown in the figure with self-consumption with the following two scenarios:
1. If the system is registered for full feed-in, the MaLo is located directly behind the generators, still from the junction. It is therefore located at the same place as the MeLo in the form of meter 2. Only this MeLo at meter 2 is therefore relevant for this MaLo. The electricity, which physically comes from the generators, is then billed as if it were drawn from the grid.
2. If the system is registered for surplus feed-in, the MaLo is located at the NAP and therefore coincides with meter 1. only the MeLo at meter 1 is relevant for this MaLo.t.
A MaLo does not necessarily have to match a MeLo. In some cases, several MeLos are required for one MaLo.
Further information
The measured values transmitted by Amperecloud to the DVM are not used for billing, they are only required for technical purposes. Amperecloud does not transmit the measured values for billing purposes
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