SMA Dynamic Power Control

SMA Dynamic Power Control is a piece of software pre-installed in the inverter that controls the active and reactive power of up to five inverters. This makes it possible, for example, to operate PV systems purely as self-consumption systems and thus use the solar power generated exclusively for self-supply. Dynamic control can also be realized instead of limiting the system to a fixed grid feed-in. This allows energy generation through self-consumption to be increased while simultaneously complying with regulatory requirements and the requirements of grid operators.

As a result, system owners and operators can reduce electricity costs regardless of rising energy prices. Higher self-consumption also contributes to a faster return of investment (ROI) of the overall system as well. Individual feed-in controls with the grid operator and reactive power setpoints can be implemented with the SMA Dynamic Power Control as well.

With the aid of SMA Dynamic Power Control, the inverter provides dynamic closed-loop control of active and reactive power for itself and up to four other inverters. As a result, it is possible to implement requirements of grid operators for limiting feed-in power for the entire system, for example. In order to maximize PV energy generation through self-consumption nevertheless, the inverter does not limit the system’s feed-in power permanently, but regulates it at the point of interconnection depending on power consumption. This makes it possible, for example, to implement a “zero feed-in” strategy and use the self-generated electricity exclusively for self-supply. To this end, the solution at the point of interconnection ensures that no electricity is actually fed in, taking power consumption into account. In other words, the amounts of energy generated and consumed are exactly the same.

SMA Dynamic Power Control can also be used to implement dynamic closed-loop control of reactive power. In this context, various reactive power modes such as the Q(V) characteristic curve, cos ϕ (phi) characteristic curve or a fixed cos ϕ displacement power factor can be set. Thanks to SMA Dynamic Power Control, grid-compliant power control is possible and custom curtailment times pursuant to electric utility company specifications are adhered to. Without SMA Dynamic Power Control, additional hardware such as an SMA Data Manager M or a comparable product from a third-party provider would be required to achieve such closed-loop control. Thanks to SMA Dynamic Power Control, the system is more flexible and future-proof when it comes to interconnecting with further components.