How does Smappee enable auto-consumption?
A while ago we discussed the concept of auto-consumption and how it’s becoming more important in saving energy and enabling the decentralized smart grid. Many people with solar PV are looking into using energy management systems -such as Smappee- to get insights in and eventually also get control over their energy to optimize their self-consumption. And soon the question arises of how exactly they can achieve this. Smappee users receive actionable, in-depth energy data and know exactly how much of their solar energy is used for their own consumption (self-consumption) and how much of their consumption is covered by their solar energy (self-sufficiency). Smappee offers several innovative options to enable auto-consumption. In this blog, we’ll explore them step-by-step.
Dynamic load balancing.
Smappee’s dynamic load-balancing technology ensures that 100% of the generated solar power is used instead of returning excess energy to the grid. Smappee can steer the energy flows within the building in the most optimal way taking into account your solar energy and using batteries, smart appliances, electric vehicles, and smart energy management platforms.
The first step in enabling Smappee’s dynamic load balancing technology is to offer users control of their devices by adding smart appliances that work with Smappee or by making appliances smart, using Smappee’s control modules. Next, users can start automating their smart devices with Smappee Automations to suit their lifestyles and how they want to use their solar energy. On top of that, owners of Smappee car charging stations can activate smart charging so the available solar energy is automatically maximized throughout the day.
Customized control for auto-consumption.
Firstly, users can control all smart third-party appliances and services that are part of the Works with Smappee ecosystem. They can add car charging stations, thermostats, whitegoods and battery storage systems as smart devices to the Smappee App.
Secondly, Smappee offers smart add-ons that unlock control options. The Smappee Switch, our easy-to-use smart plug, not only tells you exactly how much your connected appliances are consuming, but it also switches them off remotely, intelligently, and reliably. Another add-on is the Smappee Output module. It allows remote control of devices that are either directly powered (max. 5 A switching capability) or controls a breaker (single or 3-phase) to steer high-power equipment e.g. a motor or hot water boiler. It can also be used as a control signal for smart devices such as Smart Grid Ready heat pumps. You can add multiple Smappee Switches and Output modules to the same Smappee Infinity setup.
Now users can control their appliances remotely to optimize their auto-consumption.
Automate your building to enable dynamic load balancing.
Finally, users can activate Smappee Automations. These are a series of automated flows that Smappee users can create via the Smappee App. The Smappee Automations can be initiated by different triggers such as the activity of an appliance (on, off, or specific load), activity in the building, location, time, sunset/sunrise, and recently also based on the forecasted available solar. These triggers initiate a customized push notification or an action (e.g. switching an appliance on/off) of a smart device or appliance connected to a Smappee Switch or Output module.
Smappee Automations allows users to automate the energy flows in their building to optimize their solar energy use. E.g. get notified when there’s excess energy, turn on the lights and close the blinds when it’s getting dark or boost the Smart Grid Ready heat pump when there’s at least 3.000 W excess energy available for one hour.
Are you eager to get started with Smappee to optimize auto-consumption after reading this blog? Great! Find an installer to install Smappee and get started with the Smappee App.
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