Key Elements of
Energy Management
Microgrids and energy management
Microgrid and Energy Management
Open. Modular. Secure.
Microgrids are autonomous, intelligent power grids with the capability to operate independently of the public network. A microgrid essentially acts as a decentralized energy system that both connects to and disconnects from the main grid.
A microgrid consists of energy consumers, energy producers, and often energy storage units. Smart components are used to ensure energy balance and voltage stability. Microgrids are not limited by size – any self-sufficient power system can function as a microgrid.
A microgrid offers multiple benefits, such as energy security in the event of power failure, as well as full, local control of the entire system.
Modern microgrids are usually powered by renewable energy sources such as wind, photovoltaic, hydro or CHP units, making them a sustainable and cost-efficient alternative to energy from the public grid, particularly when combined with energy storage facilities.
Microgrids usually rely on intelligent technological components, such as smart meters, which simultaneously turn them into self-sufficient smart grids. With this technology, energy from irregular power sources, such as wind turbines, can be easily and cost-effectively integrated into the power grid.
Our Role in your Microgrid
With over 50 years’ experience in automation technology, Bachmann is the ideal partner for your independent energy ecosystem. Our controller technology provides the backbone for seamless operation, while our energy management modules deliver grid measurement, regulation and control powerfully and safely.
Which functional microgrid components do we provide?
The following products should be understood as a toolbox for successful and secure microgrid energy management:
- Open interfaces – fieldbuses and protocols
- Solutions for energy supply – energy management
- Smart power plant controller – EZA controller, compliant with connection guideline VDE-AR-N 4110, 4120, 4130 and EN 50549-2 for supply
- Application development in all languages – IEC 61131-3, C/C++ or MATLAB®/Simulink®
- World of visualization – one software for all applications
- Security integrated in the control system – multi-level IT security concept
They provide flexible solution modules for a wide range of tasks within a heterogeneous microgrid. For the right mix and the best tool configuration, our expert team is at your disposal – please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Open Interfaces
Fieldbuses and protocols
Solutions for Energy Supply – Energy management
The widespread use of electricity in all aspects of work and life offers a multitude of benefits, greater convenience and an improved quality of life. In order to ensure energy-optimized solutions in production, buildings and in infrastructures, there is a growing need for these to be based on suitable measuring systems. At the same time, the maintenance of supply security requires integrated solutions for operating grids and the standards compliant management of generating units. Bachmann offers both synergies through the direct integration in the PLC world as well as certified compliance with the latest regulations.
| Application areas | GM260 | GMP232/x | GSP274 |
| Operational measurement | |||
| Energy monitoring | |||
| Power quality | – | ||
| Monitoring/grid connection | – | ||
| Protection function | – | ||
| Online fault diagnostics | – | ||
| Generator connection (synchronization) | – | – |
| Grid connection for producers | |
| GER | VDE-AR-N 4110 |
| VDE-AR-N 4120 | |
| FGW TR3 | |
| FGW TR8 | |
| CENELEC | EN 50549-2 |
| UK | ENA G99/1/9 |
| USA | IEEE C37.90 |
Smart Power Plant Controller (SPPC)
Our clever all-in-one solution.
EZA controller, compliant with connection guideline VDE-AR-N 4110 for supply
To operate a power plant (EZA) efficiently, the power management at the point of common coupling (PCC) is very important. The power plant could consist of different generation units (EZE), which are represented by combined heat and power units (CHP), photovoltaics (PV), wind turbines or storage components. A given power value could be set either manually or from a third party, e.g. direct energy trading. The resulting setpoint for the different generation units in the park is calculated by the controller and then supplied to the units. According to the requirement VDE-AR-N 4110/4120 it is mandatory for every power plant producing a power input >= 135 kW, to have a certified power plant controller, which has implemented the functionalities and follows the required rules.
Bachmann electronic provides an EZA controller, based on the proven Bachmann CPU´s and the extremely high accurate grid and measurement module (GMP232/x). In addition to this, it completely fulfills the connection guideline VDEAR- N 4110/4120 for power supply. The core component is the closed-loop-controller, which is a software module created by Bachmann with the extension M-Target for MATLAB®/ Simulink®. This software module measures the values at the point of common coupling and with using the actual values from the park grid, it calculates the set-points and sends them to the different types of generation units. The Smart Power Plant Controller is also certified to VDE 4130 (extrahigh voltage) and, thanks to its additional certification to EN 50549-2, can be used in other European countries.
All the required functionalities regarding set-points for active and reactive power, also the supply of these set-points towards the generation units, e.g. CHP, are implemented. To complete this product, a local HMI is also provided. It could be used for configuration, monitoring and operation.
This product is also shipped with a simulation library of the EZA controller for PC. This could be easily integrated into
common grid simulator programs, which are normally used to certify the whole energy plant.
To allow the access of direct energy trading (DET) or feed-in management signals (EINSMan), Bachmann has the most common communication protocols already included, e.g. IEC 60870-5-101/104, IEC 61850 or Modbus. These are easily to configure and beyond this, digital or analog signals could of course be used. In addition, this EZA controller solution provides the highest standards according to security, which checks and logs each and every access and change of value.
Application Development in all Languages – IEC 61131-3, C/C++ or MATLAB®/Simulink
Programming is an essential part of the engineering process. Any possibilities to save time in this development step in particular are therefore desirable. The combination of optimum technology for the particular task and helpful functions increases efficiency and improves code quality.
Model-based development with graphical simulation and programming environments are becoming increasingly established tools for complex tasks. These reduce complexity and ensure that the focus is on what is essential: optimum task implementation.
Equipped for the future
The SolutionCenter and the Bachmann controller support a wide range of programming languages: C/C++, all IEC 61131-3 languages and MATLAB®/Simulink. Programmers thus have the possibility to create applications in their familiar environment and language. Existing and established software code can also be reused without any problem. Libraries for PLCs can be created in all languages. The supported languages can also be combined as required.
forsiteSCADA
Based on atvise® SCADA, the “ ready-to-use” SCADA system forsiteSCADA offers a complete visualization solution for the energy sector. Clear overviews of the entire energy park, as well as detailed analyses, help users monitor their assets profitably – especially given the increasing demands that hybrid energy generation places on systems today.
The SCADA system requires only a browser for display – no further installations are necessary. Users can arrange many pre designed information displays in various ways within the front end, such as displaying the plant’s key values according to IEC standards, an alarm table, or production statistics. A configurator is integrated for the custom design of the overview pages, allowing users to create their own information panels – via drag-and-drop, simple yet efficient, and without the need for additional development tools.
The forsiteSCADA software is available in various versions – tailored entirely to the needs of the application.
M1 webMI pro
A plant and operator visualization (HMI) can be designed by the user via the web server integrated directly into the control system. This is also based on atvise® technology, enabling a link from the higher-level forsiteSCADA down to the HMI of the individual plant.
Security Integrated in the Control system – Multi-level IT security concept
A selective security management system not only helps with unwanted and potentially destructive hacker attacks. Particularly in the protected environment of production plants, any accidental modification of machine parameters or configuration errors in the machine network are difficult to fully exclude. The effect of these, however, is often as serious as outside threats.
- Tap-proof data transmission through encrypted network connections
- Band width limitation to defend against overload attacks and for protection from faults in the network periphery
- Access control based on integrated user and password management
- Server and client authentication for the protection of automated teleservice accesses
- Secure end-to-end encryption to the latest state of the art (TLS 1.2)
- Rights are examined irrespective of the access path to the controller (visualization, SolutionCenter or with OPC UA)
- Restriction of system and execution rights for every user
- Role-based access control with groups (users inherit group rights)
- Configuration of access protection and visibility of files and process variables
- The saving and running of additional applications can be prohibited
- Memory protection measures so that third-party processes cannot access the memory of the application
- Detailed logging of all user accesses with all user data and partition encryption
- Open interfaces to adapt and enhance all access control functions and for the use of cryptographic functions in applications
- Backup and recovery mechanisms
- Predefined security levels as templates for simple configuration
Security as standard: Bachmann protects plants from production failure caused by unauthorized manipulation with a 5-level security concept. The entire Bachmann CPU product range comes with all security functions as standard. This therefore provides the user with an optimized ready-to-use security package.
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