Table of Contents
Schedule energy optimization and storage
This article describes the installation planning. For on-site implementation and equipment configuration on the Climkit platform, refer to the links at the end of the article.
The Climkit Energy Management System (EMS) controls certain devices based on solar production and manages a storage battery to utilize surplus energy, for example at night.
Locally produced solar electricity is better utilized: the self-consumption rate increases, electricity purchases from the grid decrease, and the building gains autonomy. It is also possible to program timers to systematically switch on certain devices at different times of the day.
This article is divided into two parts: device control and the storage battery.
1. Device control
The Climkit EMS system controls devices, via a relay or a communication protocol, based on excess solar production (fed back to the grid) or according to programmed timers. The main use cases are hot water production, heat pumps, and electric vehicle charging.
Hot water production
The EMS system controls an immersion heater (electrical resistance) installed in the hot water tank, solely based on excess solar production. The power of the resistance is configured in the Climkit EMS system; when equivalent or higher solar power is fed back to the grid, the relay switches on the resistance, which produces hot water for heating or domestic hot water.
The immersion heater is inexpensive to purchase and very responsive. It is often already present in the tank, as the main water heater or as a backup for a heat pump. It is a good way to store solar energy in the form of hot water.
Heat pump
A heat pump (HP) can also be controlled according to solar production. Certain HPs have a potential-free SG-Ready contact, which the Climkit Gateway controls according to the same principle as the immersion heater, for example by increasing the heating setpoint when solar electricity is available.
To maximize self-consumption, it is recommended to program the HP to switch on between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., at least from March to October, and in winter when the produced reserve allows covering the night. The impact of peak/off-peak hours is also less and less decisive, as DSOs now often apply a high rate in the evening.
Charging station control
Charging stations can be configured to charge plugged-in vehicles only with solar energy. This functionality requires no additional equipment beyond the infrastructure planned for the charging stations (see Planning electric vehicle charging station management).
Users wishing to charge their vehicle independently of this mode can activate the corresponding charging mode via the Climkit mobile application.
Climkit Offer
Here are the additional products allowing device control:
- Equipment:
- Relay I/O Module
- Software functionalities:
- Optimization of self-consumption
- Setup service:
- Technical coordination and configuration
All these products are ordered directly from Climkit. Generally, the intervention of a Climkit technician on site is not necessary for commissioning. Components are delivered pre-configured, allowing the installer to easily perform the commissioning, with telephone assistance from Climkit technical support if needed.
Details of equipment used
Relay I/O Module
The WP8024 I/O Module provided by Climkit has 4 relays.
It is delivered with a 24V DC DIN rail power supply and connects to the Climkit Gateway via RS485-Modbus (like electricity meters).
2. Storage battery
A battery allows for storing excess photovoltaic electricity produced on a site, in order to use it when production becomes lower than consumption.
The Climkit Gateway can connect to the battery to:
- read only the battery data: charged and discharged energy volumes, as well as the state of charge;
- or directly control the charge and discharge based on surplus production.
In this second case, Climkit controls the battery in the same way as other devices, across the entire site (RCP), to maximize self-consumption of locally produced solar electricity.
Communication between the battery and the Gateway is done via Modbus TCP.
A battery can be connected in two ways:
- AC Coupling: the battery is connected to the electrical panel via its own inverter, independently of the photovoltaic inverter.
- DC Coupling: the battery is connected directly to the photovoltaic inverter, known as a hybrid inverter.
AC Coupling
AC coupling is recommended for medium and large installations, or when a standard photovoltaic inverter is already installed.
The battery, equipped with its own inverter, is connected to the electrical panel as an independent feeder. A dedicated Climkit private meter is installed on this connection and configured in "Battery" mode on the platform, to measure charged and discharged volumes and correctly integrate them into the RCP statement.
DC Coupling
In DC coupling, the battery is connected on the direct current side, directly to the hybrid photovoltaic inverter. This configuration is suitable for installations equipped with a hybrid inverter, generally small to medium-sized. As the inverter and battery are placed behind the photovoltaic production meter, no dedicated battery meter is installed: the platform then does not distinguish solar production from charge and discharge flows.
Climkit Offer
Here are the additional products allowing battery management:
- Equipment:
- Ethernet Switch, if necessary to connect the battery
- Software functionalities:
- Battery management
- Setup service:
- Technical coordination and configuration
All these products are ordered directly from Climkit. Generally, the intervention of a Climkit technician on site is not necessary for commissioning. Components are delivered pre-configured, allowing the installer to easily perform the commissioning, with telephone assistance from Climkit technical support if needed.
3. Next steps
Device control:
Storage battery:
