Hi again wrenches. Have a customer looking for a LG Resu 10 “B” battery in good 
working order. Wants to add it to his current Resu 10 for additional storage.

 

Thx

Peter Giroux

ASAE

 

From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org> On Behalf Of 
Peter Giroux via RE-wrenches
Sent: Monday, December 26, 2022 9:40 AM
To: cwar...@entech-engineering.com; 'RE-wrenches' 
<re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
Cc: pgir...@mindspring.com
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Utility transformer limitations

 

Morning all. Just got a call from a customer with a radian and fortress battery 
that caught fire. Has anyone had any issues with either unit?? We have numerous 
systems with combos of both and no issues. System has been in place for well 
over a year, climate controlled garage and system has worked well. Did a BMS 
board replacement earlier this year.

 

  Any and all help appreciated.

 

Thank you

Peter Giroux

ASAE

 

From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org 
<mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org> > On Behalf Of Christopher 
Warfel via RE-wrenches
Sent: Monday, December 26, 2022 8:17 AM
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org 
<mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> 
Cc: Christopher Warfel <cwar...@entech-engineering.com 
<mailto:cwar...@entech-engineering.com> >
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Utility transformer limitations

 

Wouldn't the microinverters shut down if the voltage rose?  They wouldn't be 
able to raise voltage about PUC/DPU limits I would think. They would shut down 
on high voltage. I am saying this because of an experience this fall where our 
infamous Block Island Power Company raised the taps on a local xfmr due to 
their "secret heat pump program" that was dragging down local voltage. They 
claimed solar was a burden, but were quiet on the load building program they 
embarked upon without any disclosure.   When the cooling loads disappeared, the 
voltage went above our grid tied systems set points and they shut down.  We 
told the utility they had a high voltage problem and they adjusted the taps.  
Of course they did not acknowledge or thank us.  It seems our little coop which 
is now head from a guy from the Vermont Electric Coop is taking an old utility 
approach instead of cooperation, integration and maximization of performance 
and economics. 

I'd think you be able to ask how the supply can raise the voltage when there is 
so much diversified load on the same device.   Electricians have to do a 
diversity calculation, and I know a utility has to conduct them as part of 
these studies. Worse case of no load and all generation is such a low 
probability that to design for it, when/if it occurred, is not a danger and of 
no material consequence makes little sense. But, we've been dealing with that 
ever since this person arrived in our neck of the woods.

 

Chris Warfel 

 

 

On 12/25/2022 5:21 PM, Garrison via RE-wrenches wrote:

Hi William,

 

One possible path forward would be to ask the utility co what AC inverter 
capacity would be allowed. Maybe the solution would be to unplug a micro or two 
if you are just over the limit. Even better, maybe they would allow you set an 
export limit on the micros you have installed.

 

I had a recent situation where a 40kW DC system had exceeded a utility 
transformer by only 2kW AC, so a simple redesign avoided an $8k invoice from 
the utility. The utility was not transparent about this option at first and 
only made it clear after some persistence.

 

Good luck,

 

Garrison Riegel

Celestar Solar

 

On Dec 25, 2022, at 3:14 PM, Darryl Thayer via RE-wrenches  
<mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> 
wrote:

 

It is common practice for the utility to overload the transformer a lot for the 
potential load.  They expect no one will use their service at maximum, 
furthermore, they expect non coincidence of loads.  Look at the transformer 
most have a label as to the kW or the unit, and the utility should give you 
that number along with the impedance.  Note I have had area engineers not 
understand that solar reduces the load on the transformer.  They have two 
concerns, you will overload and you will raise the voltage to other customers.  
Overload is ridiculous; the transformer must be at least 20 kW if a 15 kW 
concern is valid.  However, raising the voltage is not.  If all the customers 
shut off their power, the voltage would rise to the inverter limit,and/or feed 
current back on the distribution line raising up/downstream customers voltage.  
I have had this problem, on three occasions discussions with the utility upper 
engineering, not local engineer, i prevailed, one case I did not.   In one cast 
utility allowed connection and put a voltage monitor on secondary voltage, then 
later allowed permanent connection..   Good luck   

 

On Sun, Dec 25, 2022 at 1:16 PM William Miller via RE-wrenches 
<re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org <mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> > 
wrote:

Wrenched:

 

Merry Christmas to those of you that observe such traditions, or substitute the 
winter festivity of your choice.

 

I helped a previous employee install an Enphase IQ8 system on his home.  He 
applied for the utility approval concurrently with his building permit  The day 
he got his final inspection the utility contacted him and claimed "The 
aggregate generation exceeds the identified transformer rating" and refused him 
a Permission to Operate letter.

 

Adding up the service ratings of the homes on his secondary we get about 336 kW 
of potential consumption.  Adding the grid-tied systems on his secondary we get 
about 16.5 kW.  How is it that the back-feed exceeds the transformer rating?

 

I would appreciate any insight on how to consider this situation and how to 
fight it.

 

Sincerely,

 

William Miller

 

Miller Solar

17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422

805-438-5600

www.millersolar.com <http://www.millersolar.com/> 

CA Lic. 773985

 

 

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-- 

                                         Christopher Warfel
                     ENTECH Engineering, Inc.
PO Box 871, Block Island, RI 02807
                                                            401-466-8978
 <http://entech-engineering.com/> 

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