The Autonomous Energy Flow Controller is a product that has the ability to optimally manage energy produced by Renewable Sources, based on weather forecasts. More specifically, the controller receives through the cloud data concerning the energy produced by the microgrid that it controls, weather estimates for the next 5-7 days and based on these it makes its decisions.
In cases where the production exceeds the demand, then it makes decisions regarding the storage of energy or the supply of loads beyond the critical ones, while in cases where it lags behind the demand, then it gives specific orders, so that the requirements of the loads are met. The controller consists of a box, inside which a Raspberry Pi board is installed and the front of which is a Pi screen, through which the user operates the invention.
The controller uses a specific decision-making algorithm, and is connected via relays to the central electrical panel of the microgrid, so that based on these decisions, it can make the required modifications to the producers and/or consumers of the microgrid.
Specifications
The Autonomous Controller has a Pi Display 7” LCD touch screen, resolution 1024×600. Features 8GB RAM, 64-bit quad-core processor, support for dual displays up to 4K resolution via a pair (2) micro-HDMI ports, 1 Gigabit Ethernet port, 4 USB ports (2 USB 2.0 & 2 USB 3.0), wireless LAN , Bluetooth 5.0, 1 stereo 4-pole audio output and USB-C power supply. The main board of the Autonomous Controller is a Raspberry Pi 4 – Model B.
Connectivity of Autonomous Flow Energy Controller
As already mentioned, the Autonomous Controller receives operating data from the inverters of each installation and weather forecasts for the next 5-7 days and based on these, makes decisions about the operation of its loads.
The Autonomous Controller connects either wired or wirelessly to the network and has the ability to receive data from any inverter via the cloud. This is achieved because all companies that produce inverters use specific encoding protocols for the data they send and the user can download via open APIs & JSON Queries. Based on this data, the controller decides whether or not to supply specific loads, whether or not to connect to the grid and any other action.
The controller implements the decisions through 8 outputs that it has and which end up in the installation's electrical panel. This means that it is possible to control 8 different lines of each table. In fact, the user has two options for placing the controller. It can either be placed on the door of the installation's electrical panel, or near it.
To complete the installation - interfacing the controller with the panel, a relay expansion board is required, which is inserted between the controller and the electrical panel. Constructionally, this board has a form such that it can apply the sockets of the electrical panels.
Read more about inovate microgrid in which the Autonomous Power Flow Controller is applied.
Software
The Autonomous Flow Energy Controller uses Linux software. Users can connect through a browser to the CITIBILL application and specifically to e-energy, where the data that the controller receives from Renewable Sources are gathered. Production statistics from photovoltaics and wind turbines are presented. At the same time, the controller receives the weather forecasts for the following days. Controller decisions can be programmed by the administrator and decisions made automatically, without requiring intervention
The screen of the controller is divided into 6 windows. In the windows that are located on the top of the screen displays the subsystems of electricity production (subsystem of small wind turbines, photovoltaic and υδρογεννητριών) with evidence of the power in kW and energy production in kWh. At the bottom of the screen displays the subsystem of the load indication power in kW (examples are shown critical loads, normal and the pump lifting water), the current calendar time, and included the virtual key, emergency power (emergency button) with the touch which turns off the entire microgrid ceasing the flow of energy in all of the relays that are controlled by the controller.
Also appears on the subsystem settings that includes virtual keys for the monitoring of energy flows, the settings and the disabling of the screen of the controller.
The user can modify the time interval of the data via a 4-button touch on the screen and relate to daily, monthly, annual and overall data. Keys, emergency switch-off are shown, and in this environment the controller screen.
In case the user, touch the button of "Energy" on the first screen of figure is transferred to the environment in the next-door format. Here presented data production from RES, loads, weather data and data HEDNO.
Remote operation
The user has the ability to enter the system from any device with network access, monitor the data collected by the controller, check the system for possible faults and of course make modifications to the system settings. The system automatically updates and modifies its commands through the respective relays.
Scalability
Of particular interest are the prospects for expanding the operation of the Autonomous Controller. More specifically, by using data from his previous decisions, the controller can optimize his future decisions, reducing failures and minimizing the risk of failure to predict weather forecasts.
Financing
The AmEFC (EMION) is funded by the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation of the Hellenic Republic, with proposal number [T2EDK-02878], funded by the European Union.
The project is carried out under the auspices of the Special Service for the Management and Implementation of Actions in the Fields of Research, Technological Development, and Innovation (SSMI). With co-funding from Greece and the European Union.
Autonomous Flow Energy Controller: Hardware
ΙΩΝΙΚΗ Autonomous
The Autonomous Energy Flow Controller is a product that has the ability to optimally manage energy produced by Renewable Sources, based on weather forecasts. More specifically, the controller receives through the cloud data concerning the energy produced by the microgrid that it controls, weather estimates for the next 5-7 days and based on these it makes its decisions.
In cases where the production exceeds the demand, then it makes decisions regarding the storage of energy or the supply of loads beyond the critical ones, while in cases where it lags behind the demand, then it gives specific orders, so that the requirements of the loads are met. The controller consists of a box, inside which a Raspberry Pi board is installed and the front of which is a Pi screen, through which the user operates the invention.
The controller uses a specific decision-making algorithm, and is connected via relays to the central electrical panel of the microgrid, so that based on these decisions, it can make the required modifications to the producers and/or consumers of the microgrid.
Specifications
The Autonomous Controller has a Pi Display 7” LCD touch screen, resolution 1024×600. Features 8GB RAM, 64-bit quad-core processor, support for dual displays up to 4K resolution via a pair (2) micro-HDMI ports, 1 Gigabit Ethernet port, 4 USB ports (2 USB 2.0 & 2 USB 3.0), wireless LAN , Bluetooth 5.0, 1 stereo 4-pole audio output and USB-C power supply. The main board of the Autonomous Controller is a Raspberry Pi 4 – Model B.
Connectivity of Autonomous Flow Energy Controller
As already mentioned, the Autonomous Controller receives operating data from the inverters of each installation and weather forecasts for the next 5-7 days and based on these, makes decisions about the operation of its loads.
The Autonomous Controller connects either wired or wirelessly to the network and has the ability to receive data from any inverter via the cloud. This is achieved because all companies that produce inverters use specific encoding protocols for the data they send and the user can download via open APIs & JSON Queries. Based on this data, the controller decides whether or not to supply specific loads, whether or not to connect to the grid and any other action.
The controller implements the decisions through 8 outputs that it has and which end up in the installation's electrical panel. This means that it is possible to control 8 different lines of each table. In fact, the user has two options for placing the controller. It can either be placed on the door of the installation's electrical panel, or near it.
To complete the installation - interfacing the controller with the panel, a relay expansion board is required, which is inserted between the controller and the electrical panel. Constructionally, this board has a form such that it can apply the sockets of the electrical panels.
Read more about inovate microgrid in which the Autonomous Power Flow Controller is applied.
Software
The Autonomous Flow Energy Controller uses Linux software. Users can connect through a browser to the CITIBILL application and specifically to e-energy, where the data that the controller receives from Renewable Sources are gathered. Production statistics from photovoltaics and wind turbines are presented. At the same time, the controller receives the weather forecasts for the following days. Controller decisions can be programmed by the administrator and decisions made automatically, without requiring intervention
The screen of the controller is divided into 6 windows. In the windows that are located on the top of the screen displays the subsystems of electricity production (subsystem of small wind turbines, photovoltaic and υδρογεννητριών) with evidence of the power in kW and energy production in kWh. At the bottom of the screen displays the subsystem of the load indication power in kW (examples are shown critical loads, normal and the pump lifting water), the current calendar time, and included the virtual key, emergency power (emergency button) with the touch which turns off the entire microgrid ceasing the flow of energy in all of the relays that are controlled by the controller.
Also appears on the subsystem settings that includes virtual keys for the monitoring of energy flows, the settings and the disabling of the screen of the controller.
The user can modify the time interval of the data via a 4-button touch on the screen and relate to daily, monthly, annual and overall data. Keys, emergency switch-off are shown, and in this environment the controller screen.
In case the user, touch the button of "Energy" on the first screen of figure is transferred to the environment in the next-door format. Here presented data production from RES, loads, weather data and data HEDNO.
Remote operation
The user has the ability to enter the system from any device with network access, monitor the data collected by the controller, check the system for possible faults and of course make modifications to the system settings. The system automatically updates and modifies its commands through the respective relays.
Scalability
Of particular interest are the prospects for expanding the operation of the Autonomous Controller. More specifically, by using data from his previous decisions, the controller can optimize his future decisions, reducing failures and minimizing the risk of failure to predict weather forecasts.
Financing
The AmEFC (EMION) is funded by the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation of the Hellenic Republic, with proposal number [T2EDK-02878], funded by the European Union.
The project is carried out under the auspices of the Special Service for the Management and Implementation of Actions in the Fields of Research, Technological Development, and Innovation (SSMI). With co-funding from Greece and the European Union.
Read more
