• • • BATTERIES & CHARGERS • • •
containers, and each container must maintain data communication at all times to manage charging and discharging. The containers connect using fibre-optic ring topology to enhance network redundancy and ensure the highest stability. By leveraging the latest managed Ethernet switch technology, it becomes possible to connect each BMS and transmit Ethernet signals over fibre-optic cables. This ensures seamless data exchange between distributed BMS containers. On the ring network’s top layer, it is advisable to use IEC-61850-3-certified managed Ethernet switches to connect PCS, EMS and multiple BMS containers.
Another core component is the media converter. Since security management of the energy storage system is critical, an industrial gigabit Ethernet-to-fibre media converter is necessary to extend the twisted-pair network over fibre technology to connect with surveillance cameras and transfer video signals back to the network for security monitoring. Media converters and wireless gateways based on LTE/5G cellular technology ensure the PCS and EMS remain connected to battery assets, helping to deliver peak shaving, frequency regulation and energy management. As a point of note, peak shaving helps flatten demand peaks and avoid peak demand charges. Equally, for behind-meter (commercial building/home) BESS applications, the optimal selection of I/O modules, protocol gateways, Ethernet switches and substation-grade (IEC 61850-3) automation computers will support the device bus protocols required in the architecture. In a typical compact behind-meter BESS set-up, Ethernet I/O will serve to collect HVAC data, including temperature changes. This data will connect to a gateway that employs a CAN bus interface to convert BMS data to Ethernet networks. A visualisation gateway can act as a human-machine interface (HMI), facilitating the efficient visualisation of BESS data. To establish connectivity, all machines can link to an eight-port unmanaged switch that subsequently transmits
Overview of key BESS applications with potential product solutions
the acquired data to the EMS. An edge device management cloud service will enable the remote monitoring and management of devices across all behind-meter BESS installations, ensuring complete micro-grid performance and visibility.
The stable operation of BESS is also reliant on the identification and adoption of optimal remote I/O gateways and edge computers. These devices can effectively monitor BMS, EMS and ECS conditions to ensure the safety of BESS, while industrial switches, routers and protocol gateways provide robust network infrastructure with VPN and IT protocols for enhanced data security.
Potential gains To highlight the potential gains available from creating a connected IoT infrastructure for BESS efficiency, balanced energy utilisation and better energy security, consider the following real-life example involving HVAC control. HVAC control in BESS requires I/O signals such as analogue
inputs for temperature data acquisition in the battery rack, and digital output for alarm detection. In addition, edge gateways are necessary to deal with data processing and control, while edge computers provide overall system management.
This particular solution sees each battery rack feature a single I/O gateway as the HVAC controller. Notably, these I/O gateways contain I/O modules and basic computing functions to deal with the I/O control process and alarm/event handling. Each battery bank (comprising several battery racks) takes advantage of edge gateways to manage devices (including the I/O gateways) and transmit data to the edge computers. In turn, these edge computers run the management systems that monitor the equipment status of each battery bank. An unmanaged switch connects the Ethernet devices.
The benefits of this solution are many. Firstly, it allows the completion of key energy management tasks and maximises solar power output. Furthermore, the use of a web-based platform provides immediate access to data.
Grid scale BESS application
The future is connected Companies around the world are facing the challenges of rising energy prices and a pressing environmental agenda that calls for cleaner energy use. An increasing number are therefore building - or considering building - on-site power generation systems and BESS. A reliable Industrial IoT framework is part of the critical infrastructure that enables effective BESS management and the digital transformation of energy practices. As a designer and manufacturer of its own hardware and software, Advantech has a complete industrial product portfolio that covers all the elements needed to build an effective, high-performance IoT system with easy third-party equipment integration. The company also offers a full turnkey design service to provide customers with an all-in-one control and communication solution for fully integrated BESS control and management.
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • FEBRUARY 2025 11
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