Outback Power Systems GS8048 manual Grid Tied

Page 13

Operation

Grid Tied

IMPORTANT:

Selling power to the utility company requires the authorization of the local electric jurisdiction. The method used by the local utility company to accommodate this will depend on their policies on this issue. Some may pay for power sold; others may issue credit. Some policies may prohibit the use of this mode altogether. Please check with the utility company and obtain their permission before using this mode.

The Grid Tied mode allows the Radian inverter to become grid-interactive. This means that in addition to using power from the utility grid for charging and loads, it can also convert excess battery power and sell it to the utility grid. Excess battery power usually comes from renewable energy sources, such as PV arrays, hydroelectric turbines, and wind turbines.

In this mode, the inverter will offset the loads with excess renewable energy if it is available from the batteries. (See page 19 for more information on the Offset function.) If additional energy is available beyond what is consumed by the loads, the energy will be sold to the utility grid.

The grid-interactive function is referenced heavily in the Battery Charging section, as it is integrally tied with the battery charger. Where the charger draws power from the AC input and puts it into the batteries, the grid-interactive function removes power from the batteries (or the DC system) and returns it to the AC input. When a renewable source of energy raises the batteries above a designated reference point (or “target”), the inverter exports power in order to bring the voltage back down or to prevent it from rising further.

The inverter uses several set points as targets for selling, particularly the battery charger settings. In the MATE3, the Absorb Voltage, Float Voltage, and Equalize Voltage settings are all used as target voltages.

If the battery charger is not active, the target voltage used by the Radian inverter is Sell Voltage in the Grid-Tie Sell menu. (See page 21 for more information on charging and selling. See the MATE3 Owner’s Manual to change any of these settings.)

Unlike the other target voltages, the Radian inverter cannot import AC power to raise the batteries to the Sell Voltage set point. It can only use excess DC power, if it is available, and export it as AC power.

CHARGING:

In this mode, when the charger is enabled, the Radian will use the AC source to charge the battery bank. (See page 20.) It will proceed through the entire battery charging cycle. After the end of the Float timer, it will continue to alternate between Silent and Re-Float stages, entering the Selling stage as appropriate.

BENEFITS:

The most obvious advantage of this mode is the ability to return power to the utility grid.

NOTES:

The Support function of the Radian inverter is unavailable in this mode.

The inverter has a minimum five-minute delay before selling will begin. Upon initial connection to the utility grid, the inverter may be required to perform a full battery charge. This may delay the operation of the grid-interactive feature.

The grid-interactive function only operates when excess DC (renewable) power is available.

900-0020-01-00 Rev A

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Contents GS8048 Radian Series Inverter/ChargerTrademarks Audience Symbols UsedDefinitions Terms and DefinitionsImportant Safety Instructions General SafetyTable of Contents List of Tables Table of ContentsList of Figures Introduction MATE3 System Display and Controller Commissioning Pre-startup ProceduresFunctional Test StartupFirmware Updates Powering DownAdding New Devices CommissioningInput Modes OperationGenerator Operation SupportGrid Tied UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply Mini Grid BackupOperation Inverting FunctionsInput SearchAC Source Acceptance AC Current SettingsTransfer Offset Charging Steps Battery ChargingNo Charging Bulk StageCharging Stages Over Time1 OffsetSilent Float TimerFloat Stage Repeated SilentNew Charging Cycle Absorption TimerNew Absorption Stage Equalization Battery Temperature CompensationExamples OutBack HUB4 and MATE3 Multiple-Inverter Installations StackingExample of Parallel Stacking Arrangement Three Inverters Power Save Levels Auxiliary Terminals Operation Operation System Display-Based Functions High Battery TransferAdvanced Generator Start AGS Grid Use TimeBasic Troubleshooting TroubleshootingTroubleshooting Symptom Possible Cause Possible Remedy Troubleshooting TroubleshootingSymptom Possible Cause Possible Remedy Hot or neutral Not be bonded Inverter may be behaving correctly Inverter output is being fed Troubleshooting Error Troubleshooting Message Causes Possible Remedy Error MessagesAC Freq Too High Message Definition Possible RemedyCapacitors Voltage Maximum Disconnect MessagesSell Status Messages Sell StatusSell Status Definition Troubleshooting Specifications for Model GS8048 SpecificationsElectrical Specifications for Model GS8048 Value Mechanical Specifications for Model GS8048Regulatory Specifications Environmental SpecificationsSpecifications Environmental Specifications for All Models ValueGS8048 Inverter Settings Default Settings and RangesFirmware Revision Field Default Minimum Maximum Product Registration OutBack Power TechnologiesProduct Registration Extended WarrantyYear Limited Warranty for Radian Products WarrantyTroubleshooting How to Arrange for Warranty ServiceReturn Material Authorization RMA WarrantyReturning Product to OutBack Out of WarrantyThis page Intentionally Left Blank Index Year WarrantyInput Modes 11, 17, 20, 22 IndexThis page Intentionally Left Blank
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