Adding AC Connections and DER Devices

Before you begin

Ensure that you have a DER Distributed Energy Resources. Distribution level resources which produce electricity or actively manage consumer demand (examples include solar rooftop PV systems and batteries, and demand response via hot water systems, pool pumps, smart appliances and air conditioning control). record to associate the AC Connection and DER Device with.

To add AC Connection details

  1. Click Connections & Devices tab. This tab displays all the AC Connections and DER Devices associated with the NMI.
  2. Click +AC Connection. The Add New AC Connection page displays.
  3. Complete the following mandatory fields for the AC Connection.

    4. Field

    Description and Action

    Equipment type

    Select from either Inverter or Other.

    Indicates whether the DER device is connected via an inverter (and what category of inverter it is) or not (e.g. rotating machine).

    Commissioning date

    Select the date the AC Connection becomes Active.

    Number of AC Connections

    Type in the number of AC Connections in the group. For a suite of AC Connections to be considered as a group , all the AC Connections included must have the same attributes.

    Status

    Select the status of the AC Connection. This will be used to identify if an AC Connection is active, inactive or decommissioned.

    This status also tracks commissioning and decommissioning date. When a new record is inserted in the database, the installation date/ start date is defined by the user and may be backdated.

    DRED interaction enabled

    Select if the inverter is controlled remotely via the Demand Response Enabled Device function.

    Manufacturer

    Select the name of the inverter manufacturer, from a list pre-populated with accredited manufacturers. If the manufacturer is not in the list, you can entered this information manually.

    When you select an accredited inverter manufacturer/model number, the form will auto-populate certain attributes from reference database.

    Model Number

    Select the model number of the inverter, from a list pre-populated with accredited model numbers. If the model number is not in the list, you can entered this information manually.

    When you select an accredited inverter manufacturer/model number, the form will auto-populate certain attributes from reference database.

    Series

    Select from the list of accredited model numbers. If the series is not in the list, you can entered this information manually.

    Other Inverter Series

    Used to indicate if an inverter series is accredited.

    Serial Number

    The number of AC Connections “count” shall determine how many serial numbers are required.

    What standard applies to the inverter

    What standard/s is the inverter manufactured, tested and installed to?

    Examples include AS4777.2:2015, IEC 62109-1 and -IEC 62019-2

    Inverter rated capacity (kVA)

    The rated AC output power that is listed in the product specified by the manufacturer.

    Note: Depending on the manufacturer and model, you may need to complete additional non-mandatory information for the AC Connection.

  4. Click Done to save your changes. A new AC Connection is created with validation status as Pending Validation. The AC Connection will be validated when you validate the DER record.

To add DER Device details

  1. Click Connections & Devices tab. This tab displays all the AC Connections and DER Devices associated with the NMI.
  2. Click +DER Device. The Add new DER Device page displays.
  3. Complete the following fields for the DER Device.

    4. Field

    Description and Action

    Device type

    Indicates the primary technology used in the DER device. You can choose from:

    • Fossil
    • Hydro
    • Wind
    • Solar PV
    • Biomass/Waste
    • Geothermal
    • Storage
    • Co- / Tri-generation
    • Other

    Device sub-type

    Indicates the secondary technology used in the DER device.

    Number of devices

    Number of devices in the group of DER devices.

    Status

    Select the status of the DER Device. This will be used to identify if an AC Connection is active or inactive or decommissioned.

    Note: This status is only applicable to the DER Device. This is not a duplicate of the NMI level status, as devices may become active or inactive without a change of status to the overall system.

    Manufacturer

    Select the name of the device manufacturer, from a list pre-populated with accredited manufacturers.

    When you select an accredited device manufacturer/model number, the form will auto-populate certain attributes from reference database.

    Model Number

    Select the model number of the device, from a list pre-populated with accredited model numbers.

    When you select an accredited device manufacturer/model number, the form will auto-populate certain attributes from reference database.

    Rated capacity (kW or kVA)

    Maximum output in kVA that is listed in the product specification by the manufacturer.

    Note: Depending on the manufacturer and model, you may need to complete additional non-mandatory information for the device.

  4. Click Done to save your changes. A new DER Device is created, and displayed on the Connections and Devices page.