The Configuration tab allows you to design an AC or DC Coupled system, set an interconnection limit, add system losses, and also set grid import and export limits.
System Configuration
Select AC-coupled if your system includes a PV-dedicated inverter (Solar AC/DC Converter), BESS-dedicated converter, and system converter. AC-coupled will allow for modeling solar and/or storage systems, each of which may have a dedicated converter.
Select DC-coupled if your system includes a PV-dedicated inverter (Solar DC/DC Converter) and/or BESS-dedicated PCS (Storage DC/DC Converter). DC-coupled will allow for modeling a system converter in addition to optional converters for the solar array and energy storage system.
Click the icon in the upper right to review your system schematic.
Battery can charge from the grid
Select this option to allow the energy storage system to charge energy from non-renewable sources.
Interconnection Limit
Enter a Point of Interconnection Limit (MW) if you have an upper limit on the flow of electricity to and from the grid. This will limit the systems' ability to buy or sell from the grid at any timestep.
System Losses
You can capture overall system losses with the AC Line Efficiency and Project Transformer Efficiency inputs. The efficiencies are multiplied together and applied between the Point of Interconnection and the AC Bus. They are functionally equivalent but presented individually as a convenience.
AC Line Efficiency captures losses from the line or lines connecting the AC Bus to the Point of Interconnection.
Project Transformer Efficiency captures the loss from the transformer (MV/HV) between the AC Bus and the Point of Interconnection.
Grid Imports and Exports
You can model grid connectivity import and export limits in the configuration section of project equipment.
Allow imports from the grid to charge the energy storage system to be limited. When storage is included and allowed to charge from the grid, imports can be limited by a single value, a time series, or a schedule. The lower value of the grid import limit and the interconnection limit for each time step is used. Note that the import limit and schedule are defined in MW, but the time series must be in kW.
Exports to the grid can be limited, to model curtailment for example, by importing a time series and/or setting an export schedule. If both are included, the lower value for each time step is used. The export limits apply to all sources combined. Note that the schedule is defined in MW but the time series must be in kW.
Scheduler
Set a schedule defining different import or export limits using the designated toggles. In MW, define a limit, select a period and draw on the schedule when the restrictions are to be applied. Select OK to apply the grid limits to your model.
Import Time Series
Alternative to the schedule, users can import a time series of grid limit values in .csv formatting.
