Press

Energy Solutions’ EasyGrid range launched in 2015 - the result of 18 months of development and research to manufacture a set of units that would bring off grid power solutions to homes and businesses without a mains grid connection, at a reasonable cost. The units include a number of Victron Energy power products which offer customers reliability and compatibility.

Explains Energy Solutions MD Paul Holland:  “Rather than having to source separate components and have a bespoke system designed,  the EasyGrid series offers customers a pre-configured, self-contained unit; built from durable, high quality components; fully tested and ready to install. We knew from our on-going work with off grid customers that the market is moving towards a more plug and play approach. People want functionality and continuity but do not want to have to become experts in electrical power just to run their homes.”

Moving into 2016 the range has had a upgrade and now each unit will incorporate a Victron Colour Control as standard.

With the addition of this control the EasyGrid has made a significant step forward in functionality. The system now enables full online monitoring via the Victron VRM website (internet connection required). Owners can see all relevant parameter and historic data including battery capacity, power usage and solar input along with many other selectable options. The owner can also set alarms to ensure that the whole system operates at its optimum performance at all times.

 

With most off grid situations using a generator as well as solar, the benefit of the colour control is it’s new sophisticated generator control and monitoring, with owners able to see:

• Generator state: Condition that is currently keeping the generator running.
• Runtime: Generator runtime since last start.
• Total run time: Accumulated running time since the first start.
• Time to next test run: When the test run condition is enabled this item shows the time remaining to the next test run.
• Daily runtime: Page with the running times of last 30 days.

The generator can also be set to run based on the conditions below to ensure that those living and working off grid are never without power.

• Manual
• State of charge (SOC) of batteries
• AC load
• Battery current
• Battery voltage

For those living without a mains connection there are additional features the control system offers which can enhance their living conditions - quiet periods can be set which will reduce the chance of the generator starting - particularly at night.  Most importantly period test runs can be set which ensures that when you need the generator it will start!

The new upgraded units have already been pre-ordered by 6 customers in the UK, with the first one  due for delivery this week. Energy Solutions have supplied over 135 off grid power solutions in the UK and many more overseas and believe this upgraded version of EasyGrid will make power for those with no grid connection even more accessible, affordable and functional. Concludes MD Paul Holland “Customers have been happy to wait a little bit longer to get these units with the color control, we are delighted with the response so far and know that this will enhance their off grid power solutions.”

The colour control update is available on the entire EasyGrid range covering the 3000, 5000 and 10,000 units and is available to order from Energy Solutions 01634 290772, sales@energy-solutions.co.uk. 

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Note to Editors:

For further information, images and interviews please contact: Melanie Lay, melanie.lay@energy-solutions.co.uk 07802 874451

Why more luxury yachts are installing ASEA Frequency Converters than ever before

The movement of luxury yachts vessels around the world is increasing thanks to services such as Dock Express which allows changing between different cruising venues to be cost effective and fast. The challenge for boat builders and owners is to ensure that their boats are equipped with power facilities that meet the variations in supply across all international destinations; and satisfy the universal power demands of owners.

Installing an ASEA Frequency Converter is an effective solution to this issue. The units allow users to plug in their shore power at any port worldwide giving them instant, power at the correct specification for the boat. This is particularly important now as many marinas are restricting the use of generators within their environments. ASEA Frequency Converter removes the need to run generators unnecessarily with the positive result for owners of lower noise, pollution and fuel costs.

When travelling ASEA’s technology protects boats against brown outs and low quality power supplies which can severely affect quality of life on-board. In addition having an ASEA also allows you to easily install convenience sockets via an inverter or second small frequency converter so you can run European sockets off a US Generator and vice versa.

The benefits for owners are numerous as we explained, but what about for boat builders? What are the benefits vs the outlay? The key issue is that it allows you to standardise boat production – boats can be built with the same technology and can be sold and used worldwide. This is can be vital for both new builds and resales. The ASEA Frequency Converters bring with them additional benefits too, the act as Galvanic Isolation for the vessel  which means that a separate isolator is not required.

 

Note to Editors:
Further details and images available from Melanie Lay
melanie.lay@energy-solutions.co.uk
01634 290772
07802 874451

Energy Solutions now offer a unique testing facility for boat builders where they can take data logged from boats in the field and then replicate the loads through a programmable loadbank. The loadbank will apply steps in 100 watt steps from 0 to 300 kW in a repeatable way so that fuel use and running hours can be trialled with different system components to achieve the blend of power sources and silent running times that you are looking for. The testing facility has advanced fuel flow monitoring as well as the programmable loadbank and 30 kW of DC to AC conversion equipment – ensuring complete and thorough testing.

Energy Solutions are already working with UK clients to mimic real life information and demonstrate to end customers the potential benefits of various stages of Hybrid set-up. This consultancy and testing facility is unique and provides a significant extra dimension to the product distribution and system design capabilities that customers know them for.

Energy Solutions MD Paul Holland explains: "We have developed the testing facility in response to a sharp increase in interest in Hybrid power solutions. Of course boat electrical systems have always had an element of Hybrid about them. - a mixture of shore-power, generator power and battery stored power is a traditional set-up on board most larger pleasure boats, as well as small commercial craft. The real change is the appetite of customers to really integrate these systems to achieve notable fuel savings, lower generator running hours and, as a by-product of these, lower emissions."

Demonstrating the facility Paul puts forward an example to illustrate the benefits: "A good example of this is to look at a modern 10 Kw marine generator - it will peak in its overall efficiency towards full load. Even at this peak the useful electricity produced is only 24% of the energy in the fuel! Run the generator at 30% load and the efficiency drops to 15%. This is an increase in emissions per kWh of electricity of 60%. So by using high output DC-AC inverter / chargers, such as the 8 Kw Victron Quattro, boat builders can run generators for shorter periods at high load (at highest efficiency) and deliver substantial amounts of power from the batteries at other times."

It is all the same ingredients that customers are familiar with – but selected to work elegantly together to achieve maximum performance for minimum fuel.
Those interested in viewing the facility can connect Energy Solutions on 01634 290772 or sales@energy-solutions.co.uk

 

Note to Editors:
Further details and images available from Melanie Lay
melanie.lay@energy-solutions.co.uk
01634 290772
07802 874451