Utility Communications CA Rule 21 Phase 2, UL 1741 SB, and IEEE SunSpec 2030.5
New changes to grid interconnection standards now require secure communications between the Utility Company and the inverter. These changes will be referenced in both IEEE 1547 (the Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems) AND UL 1741 (the Standard for Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use with Distributed Energy Resources).
UL 1741 is moving forward to publish what will be called UL 1741SB (Supplement B) later this year and will directly refer to the IEEE 1547.1-2020. Under these changes Utilities may begin issuing event schedules for active and reactive power values as well as power modes and other settings. This includes remote monitoring and control of Distributed Energy Resources by the utility companies can inject power into the grid at times of peak usage.
SunSpec 2030.5 CSIP Certified To meet these new requirements, a product must be SunSpec 2030.5 CSIP certified. OutBack Power offers two SunSpec 2030.5 CSIP certified products, the CSIP Bridge (for Radian and FXR/VFXR) and SkyBox. CSIP stands for Common Smart Inverter Profile. The configuration requirements described in the CSIP include
- Must use IEEE 2030.5-2018 communications protocols
- Secure communications
- Monitoring of data, including mirrored metering function sets for posting metered data, LogEven functions for alarms and response function sets for event acknowledgement.
- Scheduling requirements, including effective start time, end time and only one active event per client
- Support for eventual utility control to pro-actively support the grid
- Not just Specified Power Factor, Volt-Var, Frequency-Watt, and Volt-Watt (UL1741 SA or IEEE 1547-2003)
- SkyBox and Radian Attestation | Download
- SunSpec Certification Document | Download
- CSIP Bridge Quick Start Guide | Download