DEIF: Empowering Solar Power Control Solutions for Seamless Energy Integration in 2024
Adelene Tie, February 23, 2024
In the dynamic landscape of renewable energy, the success of integrating new energy sources relies on solutions that are not only clean and safe but also user-friendly. As we shift our focus from fuel cell applications to solar power control solutions, DEIF controllers emerge as a frontrunner in providing plug-and-play control solutions that ensure a smooth transition for end users. Our commitment lies in offering user-friendly, optimally controlled, and seamlessly integrated solutions that accelerate the adoption of solar power technologies.
Easy Integration, Optimized Control: DEIF's controllers are designed with simplicity and efficiency in mind, ensuring easy integration into existing power solutions. Transitioning from fuel cells to solar power, our devices, including the AGC-4 Mk II, AMC 600, and iE 250, offer a wide range of control options. The flexibility of our controllers allows for interfacing with fuel cells efficiently or directly controlling solar power systems through custom logic developed with our AMC 600 PLC.
Flexible Solar Power Control Solutions Options:DEIF controllers provide the flexibility needed to handle various control strategies and priorities, ensuring uninterrupted power in applications such as prime power, peak shaving, and backup power. On land or at sea, our controllers cater to diverse energy needs, offering solutions for power rental, ship propulsion, offshore rig power, microgrids, and hybrid power plants.
Integration with Diverse Energy Sources: With decades of experience in power and energy management, DEIF facilitates the integration of solar power with other energy sources. Our controllers seamlessly interface with renewables, battery storage systems, engines, generators, and the grid. Whether on land or at sea, DEIF enables the development of Power Management Systems (PMS) and Energy Management Systems (EMS) for individual solar cells or entire arrays, ensuring adaptability to changing requirements.
User-Friendly Interfaces for Seamless Adoption: Recognizing that user adoption is key to the success of solar power solutions, DEIF provides highly configurable user interfaces like the AGI 400 series. By offering a user-friendly interface, we eliminate barriers to adoption, making the control of solar power as intuitive as controlling a generator. Our goal is to ensure that end users can seamlessly control single solar cells or complex hybrid power plants with ease.
3 DEIF Controller Products for a Seamless Energy Integration
1. AGC-4 Mk II - Automatic genset controller
The AGC-4 Mk II Automatic Genset Controller DEIF controller is a versatile and advanced solution that serves as a single genset controller or can be seamlessly integrated into a comprehensive power management system. Designed for mission-critical applications such as hospitals and data centers, this generator controller ensures backup power in just six seconds, providing reliability in crucial scenarios. Below are the key features that make the AGC-4 Mk II a standout solution in the realm of power management.
Key Features:
Power Management with Scalability:
The AGC-4 Mk II allows the implementation of power management with up to 992 gensets.
Core Power Management supports running up to 32 gensets, and Extended Power Management enables grouping generators to reach up to 32 mains or groups and 992 gensets.
Engine Control with Compliance:
Supports commonly used engine protocols.
Complies with Tier 4 Final/Stage V emission requirements, ensuring extensive engine control capabilities.
Global Grid Code Compliance:
The controller adheres to global grid code regulations, including IEEE 1547, VDE 4110/4105, EN50549-1/2, and ENA G99.
Both protections and grid support functions are integrated, providing a comprehensive solution.
Hybrid Applications:
Plug'n'play compatibility with DEIF’s ASC-4 hybrid controller.
Ideal for integrating diesel genset applications into various hybrid installations, maximizing sustainable power penetration.
Intuitive External Touchscreen:
Multiple display and control options, from LCD and push buttons to touch screens.
Enhanced overview and control options for user convenience.
Remote Communication and Control:
Supports serial communication protocols, including Modbus (RS-485, USB, and TCP/IP) and Profibus.
Enables remote supervision and control of genset/plant operations.
Backup Power in Six Seconds:
Integrated close before excitation feature ensures backup power in just six seconds.
Ideal for mission-critical applications like data centers, hospitals, airports, and fish farms.
N+X Redundancy:
Introduction of the N+X feature for higher security in critical power applications.
Allows customization of the number of extra gensets running in specific load situations.
Unique Rental Genset Applications:
User-friendly operation with up to four switchable parameter settings.
Features EasyConnect for automatic detection and alignment of all gensets in rental applications.
Transformer Maintenance and System Testing:
Makes transformer maintenance easier with the Remote Maintenance Box.
System testing facilitated by DEIF’s emulation solution for a controlled and safe environment.
The AGC-4 Mk II is a comprehensive and innovative solution, offering unparalleled control, compliance, and adaptability for diverse power management needs.
2. AMC 600 - Programmable automation controller with EtherCAT based I/O
The DEIF AMC 600 PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) stands as a state-of-the-art solution designed for land, marine, and wind power control applications. This class-approved controller adheres to rigorous marine specifications, ensuring robust performance even in the harshest operating conditions. The AMC 600 boasts a modular design concept, providing unparalleled flexibility, and supports a wide range of protocols, making it a versatile and efficient choice for diverse control applications.
Key Features:
Modular Design for Ultimate Flexibility:
Six different rack sizes with 4 to 14 module slots.
Daisy-chain or star-connect multiple racks with EtherCAT cable redundancy.
Comprehensive Module Functionality:
Modules for power supply, CPU/processing, digital and analogue I/Os, field bus communication, condition monitoring, and station interface functionality.
Configurable for standalone CPU, internet cloud edge gateway, or a full PLC system with local and remote I/O.
Wide Range of Supported Protocols:
Default use of EtherCAT protocol for several hundred I/O points.
Supports PROFINET, MODBUS TCP/RTU, OPC UA, HTTPS/WSS for Cloud connectivity.
Compact Size for Space Efficiency:
Rack height of 122 mm, fitting the de facto PLC standard.
Reduced cabinet backplane footprint to 1.2 cm2 per digital I/O channel.
Fast, Fail-Safe, and Secure System Software:
Linux OS maintained by DEIF for fast-starting, fail-safe, and secure operation.
Open architecture with options like web-based configuration, IEC 61131-3 programming via CODESYS V3.5, and secure web-based visualization.
Standard communication protocols include MODBUS RTU/TCP, OPC UA, CAN/CANopen, J1939, and PROFINET.
Redundancy and Cybersecurity Features:
Controller redundancy supported by the CODESYS Controller Redundancy feature.
Two OS images for fail-safe operation, with the ability to handle software updates and cybersecurity threats up to IEC 62443 Security Level 3.
Wide Operating Temperature Range:
Design lifetime of 10 years at 40 °C ambient temperature.
Operating range from -40 to 70 °C, ensuring global usability.
Resistance to extreme temperatures, humidity, and condensation, contributing to lower service costs and electronic waste minimization.
Robust and Well-Protected Design:
Built on the proven AWC 500 design for robustness.
Base-mounted rack design resistant to bumps, shocks, and vibrations.
Backplane interconnection for reliable communication in harsh environments.
Flanges for improved grounding and protection against EMC.
Built-in protection circuits safeguard against surges, fast transients, and electrostatic discharge.
The AMC 600 PLC DEIF Controller also receives Lloyd's Register certification Type approval as a robust and reliable control for marine applications. Other benefits of choosing the AMC 600 include DEIF's extensive experience in supply, sourcing, operation, and future maintenance, more powerful modules coming in 2024 with enhanced cybersecurity features and additional high-density I/O modules that are especially relevant for alarm systems.
3. iE 250 - Versatile and modular intelligent energy controller
The iE 250 intelligent DEIF controller stands out as a robust, adaptable, and modular controller, offering unparalleled flexibility for a diverse range of intelligent energy control solutions. This powerful controller is designed to meet the evolving needs of designers, installers, and operators, providing an extensive array of control, protection, and supervision features that set new standards in user-friendliness. Below is the list of 13 features that are available with the DEIF iE 250:
Modular Flexibility: The DEIF iE 250 is a powerful and modular controller designed for intelligent energy control solutions, providing adaptability for a wide range of applications.
User-Friendly Interface: The controller introduces new standards in user-friendliness with its intuitive 7” graphical color touch display. The light sensor automatically adjusts screen brightness for optimal visibility, and dedicated physical buttons, touch screens, navigation keys, and soft buttons offer multiple ways to navigate.
Multilingual On-Screen Texts: The on-screen texts can be displayed in several languages, enhancing accessibility and ease of use for a diverse user base. The built-in multi-color LED can be configured to indicate controller status, streamlining monitoring and diagnostics.
Flexible Configuration Options: With just one hardware variant, the iE 250 provides a world of flexible configuration options. It can be base mounted with local and/or remote displays, front mounted with an integrated display, and an optional remote display. Additionally, an MIO board offers AC measurements and additional I/O ports.
Extensive Digital and Analog Ports: The controller features 24 built-in digital I/Os, including 16 bidirectional, and 4 analog ports that can be used as multi-inputs or outputs. Additional I/Os can be added through plug-in modules or by connecting to external CIO units or ML 300 extension racks.
Customizable Dashboards: All application-specific control features are displayed in flexible dashboards on the touch screen. Users can customize screens using drag-and-drop editing in the PICUS utility software, providing a tailored experience.
Application-Specific Feature Packages: The iE 250 comes with a core feature package, extendable with application-specific feature packages for rental, critical power, or hybrid applications. Alternatively, users can opt for the Premium feature package, incorporating all controller features for maximum design and configuration flexibility.
Connectivity Options: Built for connectivity, the iE 250 offers EtherNet, CAN bus, and RS-485 communication. Compatibility with power management features of other DEIF controllers ensures easy interoperability and upgrades for existing plants and fleets.
Built-In Web Server: The controller features a built-in web server, allowing quick connection from a PC, tablet, or smartphone. Users can log on to the same network as the controller and enjoy full access to its user interface, facilitating remote monitoring and control.
IEC 62443-Compliant Cybersecurity: The iE 250 is equipped with built-in IEC 62443-compliant cybersecurity features, ensuring a secure and protected operation environment.
Powerful Processing Capability: With a powerful quad-core CPU, the iE 250 can easily handle complex control applications with hundreds of controllers on the same busbar. The MIO board comes with its built-in processor, providing additional processing power.
CustomLogic™ and CODESYS Add-On: Users can customize the iE 250 to run their applications with CustomLogic™ and a CODESYS add-on, allowing for the design of future-proof solutions with unparalleled flexibility.
Limitless Design Possibilities: The iE 250 empowers users to extend the limits of power control, offering the processing horsepower to design and operate any control application. It opens up possibilities for designing solutions where the only limit is imagination.
Five Reasons to Choose DEIF Solar Power Control Solutions:
Full Range of Controllers: DEIF offers a comprehensive range of controllers, including the AGC-4 Mk II, AMC 600, and iE 250, enabling full control of solar power systems and integration with other energy sources.
Easy Integration with Existing Assets: Our controllers seamlessly integrate with existing assets and controllers, facilitating the swift extension or adaptation of your existing energy fleet.
Extensive Experience and In-Depth Knowledge: Benefit from DEIF's extensive experience and in-depth knowledge, particularly in power management and hybrid microgrids.
Short Lead Times and Timely Delivery: Count on DEIF's short lead times and timely delivery, thanks to proactive procurement and a robust logistics setup.
Global Presence: With a global presence, DEIF provides application support and expert consultancy on all continents, ensuring that our solutions meet the diverse needs of customers worldwide.
Eight Reasons to Choose Ultech Engineering as Your Preferred System Integrator:
As we navigate the future of solar power control solutions in the realm of solar power integration, Ultech Engineering stands as your reliable partner, offering not just reliable technology from reputable partners but a pathway to a sustainable and seamlessly integrated energy future. Here are eight reasons to choose Ultech Engineering as your preferred system integrator:
Local Instantaneous Support: Ultech Engineering offers immediate and localized support in Malaysia, ensuring swift assistance and troubleshooting for our clients.
Strategic Partnerships: We maintain close ties with reputable brands in automation and power technology, including Siemens, Mitsubishi Electric, Rockwell Automation, DEIF, and Weidmuller.
Knowledgeable Team: Our team comprises skilled professionals with in-depth knowledge in the field of solar power integration, equipped to navigate the complexities of the evolving technological landscape.
Young and Hungry Team: With a youthful and dynamic workforce, we bring a hunger for innovation, constantly striving to stay at the forefront of technological advancements.
Delivery on Promises: Ultech Engineering prides itself on delivering on promises, ensuring that our clients' expectations are not only met but exceeded.
Extensive Industry Experience: We bring extensive experience, having served clients from diverse industries. This background allows us to understand and address the unique challenges each sector presents.
Client-Centric Approach: Our solutions are crafted with a client-centric focus, tailoring solar power integration to meet the specific needs and requirements of our valued clients.
Sustainable Future: As your trusted partner, Ultech Engineering is dedicated to shaping a sustainable future through innovative and reliable solar power solutions.
Our reputation is built on delivering on promises, offering not only technological expertise but also a personalized and client-centric approach. With extensive experience serving clients across various industries, we understand the unique challenges each sector presents. This insight enables us to tailor our solar power integration solutions to meet the specific needs of our clients, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency. As your trusted partner, Ultech Engineering is dedicated to shaping a sustainable future powered by solar innovation.
