In recent years, the global energy transition has accelerated, with distributed photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage technologies increasingly penetrating residential settings. Among these innovations, the balcony PV-storage system has emerged as a flexible and lightweight energy solution, particularly in European and American markets. Driven by policy incentives, heightened environmental awareness, and rising electricity costs, these systems have become a popular choice for urban residents seeking energy self-sufficiency.
Within the balcony PV-storage system, the electric meter serves as the “nervous system” for monitoring and managing energy flow, playing a critical role in three key areas:
- Bidirectional Measurement and Data Transparency: The electric meter records real-time data on PV generation, household electricity consumption, and surplus energy fed back into the grid, providing users with clear insights into their energy income and expenses, thus supporting the optimization of self-consumption strategies.
- System Efficiency Monitoring: By tracking parameters such as voltage, current, and power factor, the meter assesses the operational status of PV components and storage devices, enabling timely detection of efficiency degradation or potential faults.
- Safety and Compliance Assurance: The electric meter detects anomalies like overloads and short circuits, ensuring the system adheres to grid connection standards (e.g., Germany’s VDE-AR-N 4105) to prevent safety incidents or legal repercussions.
The data collected by the smart electric meter can also integrate with a Home Energy Management System (HEMS), allowing for dynamic pricing responses and optimization of energy storage and discharge strategies, ultimately enhancing user economic benefits.
The Acrel ADL series DIN-rail mounted multifunctional electric energy meter with external current transformer is specifically designed for new energy generation systems, including photovoltaic grid-connected systems, micro inverter systems, energy storage systems, and AC coupling systems. This intelligent instrument boasts high precision, compact size, quick response time, and ease of installation. It effectively samples, meters, and monitors power parameters, facilitating communication with inverters or energy management systems (EMS). This enables functionalities such as preventing reverse flow, regulating power generation, and managing battery charging and discharging based on real-time power and accumulated energy, achieving bidirectional measurement and household distributed photovoltaic energy management.
The Acrel ADL200N-CT electric meter, with its accurate metering and intelligent management capabilities, is a vital support for the operation of balcony PV-storage systems. As global demand for household energy autonomy grows, such highly integrated and cost-effective metering devices are expected to propel balcony PV-storage from “conceptual innovation” to “scalable implementation,” injecting new momentum into the transition of household energy.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/application-of-reverse-flow-monitoring-meters-in-balcony-pv-storage-systems/
