This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to design battery storage systems for grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems.

This unit applies to a person with a sound knowledge of the components and different system configurations of battery storage systems for grid-connected PV systems and suitable energy management strategies that can be applied to the site where a system can be installed.

A person competent in this unit will be able to design a system, which includes calculating and selecting the correct sized equipment so the system output performance meets the client specific requirements within the guidelines of relevant industry standards, regulations and manufacturer requirements.

The unit involves designing a system taking into consideration all necessary work health and safety requirements relevant for the selected system and documenting the design including all calculations, equipment specifications and layouts.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Plan the design of battery storage systems for gridconnected photovoltaic systems

1.1

Available components are identified and the different system configurations are applied to system design planning

1.2

Hazards associated with battery storage systems for grid-connected PV systems are determined and appropriate risk control measures are developed

1.3

Electrical load/s to be supplied from the battery storage system are identified

1.4

Energy assessments are undertaken using appropriate tools including data logging tools and/or energy assessment forms

1.5

Site is assessed to determine feasibility, equipment location and any required switchboard modification

1.6

Energy management strategies are applied to produce an energy management plan

1.7

Relevant industry standards, building codes, regulations and manufacturer requirements are applied to system design planning

1.8

Relevant electricity tariffs are incorporated in the system design

1.9

Solar resource data is applied in the system design

1.10

Client situation, budget and desired outcomes are incorporated in the system design

2

Design battery storage systems for gridconnected photovoltaic systems

2.1

Suitable system configurations are selected to meet client requirements

2.2

System efficiencies are applied to system designs and overall system yield for different system configurations is determined

2.3

Type and capacity of inverter/s to meet performance requirements are determined

2.4

Type and capacity of battery storage to meet performance requirements are determined

2.5

Type and capacity of charge controller/s to meet performance requirements are determined

2.6

Capacity of PV array to meet performance requirements is determined

2.7

Merits of alternate configurations including maintenance requirements are analysed and the most appropriate system design is selected

2.8

Location of each item of equipment is determined

2.9

Size of cables and ratings of protection and isolations devices are determined

3

Document the design of battery storage systems for gridconnected photovoltaic systems

3.1

Identified hazards are listed and appropriate risk control methods are specified

3.2

Required items of equipment and system components are identified and listed

3.3

System operating parameters are specified

3.4

Electrical systems schematic/s and equipment location plan/s, inclusive of signage, are produced

3.5

System cost and performance are documented

3.6

Maintenance, client and installer documentation are produced

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least two separate occasions and include:

applying work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) policy, work procedures and instructions

ascertaining and documenting system requirements including:

client objectives for the proposed system

client budget

energy profile of the site where the system will be connected and producing an energy management report

energy management strategies

hazards related to the system and the site

relevant electricity tariffs and utility requirements

site inspection including existing electrical installation to meet client objectives

designing the system including:

analysing, reviewing and selecting configuration to meet performance requirements

assessing the photovoltaic (PV) array capacity to meet performance requirements

determining location of equipment

determining sub-system efficiencies

determining suitable configuration/s

drawing the suitable configuration/s

selecting and sizing cables, protection and isolation devices

selecting type and capacity of inverter/s, including programming of parameters to meet performance requirements

selecting type and capacity of battery storage to meet performance requirements

selecting type and capacity of charge controller, including programming of parameters to meet performance requirements

documenting the system design including:

compiling client documentation

compiling installer documentation

preparing electrical system schematic and equipment location plan

specifying equipment including signage

specifying system budget and performance including battery storage capacity and PV yield

specifying maintenance requirements.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

batteries including:

meaning of the terms that define aspects of batteries including:

amp hour capacity

battery

cell

charge and discharge rate

depth of discharge (DOD)

nominal voltage

primary and secondary cells

state of charge (SOC)

watt hour capacity

major features of commercially available types of batteries suitable for battery storage systems for grid-connected PV systems

factors affecting the life of commercially available types of batteries including the estimation of battery life

common processes leading to battery failure in commercially available batteries including sulphation and stratification in lead acid batteries

charging regimes suitable for commercially available types of batteries

hazards associated with handling, installing or maintaining commercially available types of batteries and risk control measures

procedures for safe disposal of commercially available types of batteries

battery storage energy demand including:

load profiles illustrating average demand and maximum demand, based on appliances required during grid outages or during periods of high tariffs

total energy demand including:

energy required during periods of high tariffs

length of time of typical or expected grid outage

battery storage systems for grid-connected PV systems including:

applications for battery storage including:

electrical energy supply direct to loads during periods of high tariffs

electrical energy supply during grid outages

drivers of grid-connected battery storage

purpose of each component in a battery storage system for grid-connected PV system

functional block diagrams for typical configurations of battery storage systems for grid-connected PV systems including:

multimode inverter/s for connecting to renewable energy, grid, loads and battery storage; this inverter/s provide backup to dedicated loads on grid failure and may:

have a built in charge controller for direct connection of a PV array or

require a separate charge controller to direct current (DC) couple the PV array and battery

two types of inverters comprising, photovoltaic grid-connected inverters and multimode inverters where:

both inverter types are connected to the grid and loads via a switching device that provides backup to dedicated loads during grid failure

both inverter types are connected to the grid and only the multimode inverter/s provide backup to dedicated loads on grid failure

only the multimode inverter/s are connected to the grid; the grid-connected inverter/s are alternating current (AC) coupled to the multimode inverter/s and both types can provide backup to dedicated loads on grid failure

charge controllers including:

types and applications of charge controllers within the various system configurations

specifications of a charge controller including:

DC current rating in and out

DC voltage operating window and/or rating

efficiency

output rating

diagrams including:

electrical schematics of battery storage systems for grid-connected PV systems including modifications to switchboard to cater for specified loads

site diagrams to show the locations of equipment, fittings and cabling

energy management strategies and/or energy source switching options to reduce the maximum and surge demand, based on load profile analysis

inverters including:

differences between multimode and grid-connected inverters

output rating of a multimode inverter in relation to:

capacity for battery charging

required maximum demand

program parameters for a multimode inverter, for the correct operation of the system

maintenance and installation requirements including:

maintenance schedule for battery storage systems for grid-connected PV systems

specification of the installation and maintenance requirements for battery storage systems for grid-connected PV systems taking into consideration safety and relevant industry standards, regulations and manufacturer requirements

system design including:

determining the system yield/performance, equipment costs, maintenance requirements, budget and overall lifecycle costs

relationship between the system components:

PV array, battery storage and inverters/controllers and the system design criteria

size and selection of the battery storage to meet the system performance requirements

selecting and sizing the balance of system components including:

earthing

isolation and switching devices

protection devices

WHS/OHS policy, workplace procedures and instructions.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations, current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations, current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

relevant industry standards

relevant industry product standards

AS/NZS 3000 Electrical installations (known as the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules)

applicable documentation including:

energy assessment forms

examples of typical client requirements and site specific details

manufacturer technical information including:

data sheets, installation manuals and user guides

block of systems configurations and circuit diagrams

relevant industry standards and regulations

solar resource data and electricity tariffs.

Assessment must include the design of battery storage systems for grid-connected PV systems that meet the specific requirements of the client within the guidelines of relevant Australian Standards, including designs for new and retrofit installations.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions can be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Electrotechnology

Renewable and Sustainable Energy