Control unit – M

Local control functions

Technical data sheet
  • One of the disadvantages of solar PV systems with backwatts protection is that they can only produce energy when it is needed immediately. If there is no immediate use, the system will regulate itself back, resulting in production fluctuations and lower efficiency. As a consequence, the self-consumption rate remains low.

    The control solution we offer is able to direct the solar energy generated to the battery, taking into account local conditions. This allows the system to operate continuously and in a balanced way, while significantly increasing the self-consumption rate and making much more efficient use of the renewable energy source.

  • In some industrial systems, it is a fundamental requirement that neither the energy from solar generation nor from battery storage is fed back into the public grid. The EMS control unit continuously monitors the operation of the entire system and dynamically controls the equipment based on the data from the energy meters. This means that the energy generated is always used for local consumption, while the possibility of feeding energy back to the grid is completely eliminated.

  • This feature offers a particular advantage where the available network capacity is insufficient or it would be uneconomic to pay higher charges due to short-time power peaks. By including energy storage, the system is able to balance the load, ensuring continuous and stable operation while avoiding costly network expansion. A good example of this is the support of electric vehicle charging stations: the storage dynamically boosts charging when grid power alone is insufficient, so that charging remains reliable and continuous without the need to tie up unnecessary extra capacity.

  • For spot-priced energy contracts, it is of paramount importance to manage intraday price fluctuations consciously. Every day, our energy management system automatically retrieves the next day's exchange electricity prices, identifies the trough and peak periods and then generates a schedule based on these. Accordingly, during the cheaper hours, the system charges the battery from the grid, so that during the more expensive peak periods, internal consumption can be covered by energy already stored. This will allow significant cost savings without having to change consumption patterns.

  • Our system can receive control signals from aggregators via the most common industrial communication protocols and execute them locally in real time. It efficiently supports the control not only of energy storage but also of gas engines and solar farms. In addition to external commands, the built-in local control continuously monitors critical requirements such as back-feed protection or grid capacity limit compliance. This ensures that the external and local control is always coordinated and safe.

  • Equipment connected to the control cabinet can be flexibly controlled via digital inputs, outputs and relays. Based on individual logics, automated control of different consumers or process elements can be implemented. For example, a hot water production system or a cooling compressor can be automatically switched on in case of solar surplus. Another practical example is when it is necessary to trip or automatically reset a motor circuit breaker or to read back its current status.

Technical Specifications

Technical Specifications

General information
Rated DC voltage 10.8 - 28.8 Vdc, total power consumption: max ~22 W
Connections 2 LAN RJ45 ports (for internet and secure intranet networks)
1 RS-485 port
1 relay output (NO, max 30V, 300mA)
15 digital inputs (galvanically isolated)
14 digital outputs (galvanically isolated)
CPU, RAM, Flash Quad-core ARM Cortex-A72, 1.5 GHz; RAM: 2 GB LPDDR4; eMMC: 8 GB
Protections Hardware watchdog, overcurrent and overheating protection (IO module)
Internal data connection to controlled devices Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus RTU
External data connection for remote control MQTT, REST API, Modbus TCP/IP (+VPN option)
Mean time between failures (MTBF) 30.7 years (25 °C); 20.5 years (50 °C)
Dimensions and weight Size: 96×68×110.5 mm Weight: 360 g
IP protection and material IP20, polycarbonate housing
Operating temperature -25 - 55 °C
Location Indoor, DIN rail mountable housing
Guarantee 1 year warranty
Certificates The control unit + DIO assembly is CE certified (EN 61131-2, EN 61000-6-2, EN 61000-6-4, UL 61010-1 Class 2 / SELV). The plug-in modules are CE, UKCA, RoHS, REACH and UL (E494534) certified.

Control Unit - M hardware functions

Modular design - Designed for industrial use
The modular design of the control unit allows it to be flexibly adapted to the needs of different industrial applications. The system can be easily customised with digital and analogue I/O modules, communication interfaces and special extensions, so it always offers an optimised solution for the task at hand.

The equipment complies with industrial EMC standards, providing a high level of immunity to electromagnetic interference and mains interference. This makes it reliable for use in industrial environments where continuous operation and stable data connectivity are essential. Its DIN rail mounting design allows easy integration into existing cabinets and industrial infrastructures. Long-term availability and scalability make it the ideal choice for projects where flexibility, reliability and cost-effectiveness are important.

2 Ethernet interfaces - internet and intranet separate
The control unit has two separate Ethernet ports, allowing you to separate the internet and intranet networks. One port provides the Internet connection - for example for remote monitoring, data transmission or access to cloud services. Controlled devices can also be connected to this network if required, giving them direct Internet access for their own monitoring systems or software updates.

The other port, on the other hand, allows the creation of a disconnected, protected internal network (intranet). When connected to this port, controlled devices do not have access to the Internet, which provides a higher level of security. This is particularly advantageous in industrial environments where network regulations strictly limit Internet access to internal systems.

This separation of the two ports ensures secure and seamless local management, while maintaining the flexibility to provide Internet access on demand.

RS-485 interface - for integration with older devices
The RS-485 interface of the control unit allows you to manage devices that do not yet support Modbus TCP communication. For example, legacy inverters or other industrial devices can be easily integrated via Modbus RTU, ensuring compatibility and long-term operation in mixed infrastructures.

Digital I/O module - direct control and status monitoring
The digital I/O module allows direct control and status feedback of various industrial equipment. The inputs and outputs operate at 24 V signal level and provide easy and reliable integration into control cabinets, safety elements or dedicated loads.

Using logic based on I/O signals, the system can control automated processes, such as starting a hot water production unit or a cooling compressor in case of solar surplus. It can also trip and reset motorised circuit breakers and provide feedback on their current status.