Fronius believes in Connecting Energy

Innovation

9/28/2015

Fronius International GmbH is focusing on maximum self-consumption in its pursuit of 24 hours of sun. To achieve this, Connecting Energy is essential for the intelligent distribution of the self-generated PV current. Efficient energy management increases self-consumption, thereby providing greater autonomy in the supply of energy and a smaller electricity bill.

Fronius Connecting Energy is an umbrella term for the interaction between intelligent consumers and Fronius inverters. For this to work, the high level of flexibility exhibited by Fronius devices is essential. Thanks to their numerous open interfaces, Fronius inverters can be easily connected to third-party components, such as heat pumps or home automation systems. “With cooperation partners such as Loxone home automation or Ochsner heat pumps, we try to make life as easy as possible for homeowners. The main benefits are a reduction in energy costs, an increase in self-consumption, maximum energy efficiency and easy installation.” explains Bernd Lukits, Product Manager at Fronius International.

Open interfaces enable easy connection to third-party systems
Fronius inverters have numerous open interfaces, with which they can be connected to third-party components, such as heat pumps or home automation systems, with ease. The integrated Modbus RTU SunSpec, Modbus TCP SunSpec, Fronius Solar API (JSON), the Fronius Push Service and the digital inputs and outputs make it possible to easily connect to third-party systems. The advantage for the system owner is that their investment in the PV system rapidly pays off due to maximum self-consumption.

Increasing self-consumption
The Loxone Miniserver is a simple solution for home automation. From the blinds and shutters to the heating, any intelligent consumer can be controlled. "The combination of Miniserver and a photovoltaic system with a Fronius inverter provides a convenient way of managing your energy to increase levels of self-consumption. This creates greater autonomy in the supply of energy. It is easy to connect the Fronius inverter to the Loxone Miniserver and it can be used in a whole range of applications.” explains Lukits.

Efficient energy management by combining PV and home automation
The following real-life examples show just how attractive a combined photovoltaics and home automation system can be. Manfred Wittmann from Upper Austria has had a 5 kWp PV system since 2013. This has recently been enhanced with a Fronius Energy Package storage solution. As a result, the family's self-consumption rate has increased from 30 to 70 percent. “A good proportion of the energy is supplied to our electric bikes, which are almost entirely driven by solar electricity. It's all controlled by the Loxone Miniserver.” explains Wittmann.

Another good example of how Connecting Energy can be put to optimum use also comes from Austria. The Musil family have had a Loxone Miniserver installed for their 2.25 kWp rooftop system. With the home automation system app, they can control all their home lighting along with their shutters, alarm system, sockets, garage door and much more. Father Franz Musil is extremely pleased with the system: “The Loxone Miniserver can easily be connected to the Fronius Galvo. It makes efficient energy management so simple. As we also want to integrate other consumers into the home automation system, our electricity bill will go down even more.”