Multi Device Control (MDC) compatibility
The Multi Device Control (MDC) function is available on the PLENTICORE G3 from software version 3.06.10 onwards.
Multi Device Control (MDC) enables central monitoring and control of MDC-enabled inverters and other MDC-enabled devices within the same home network. The control function is performed by a PLENTICORE G3 inverter configured as an MDC host. The MDC host inverter can be operated both without a battery and with a connected battery. If a battery is used within the MDC system network, it must be connected to the MDC host inverter. The battery with the largest usable capacity must be connected to the MDC host.
An MDC system network consists of a maximum of 1 MDC host inverter and 2 MDC client inverters. The clients are controlled by the host.
If several PLENTICORE G3 inverters with batteries have been installed in the home network, these are controlled via an MDC host. To do this, the paid product extension / add-on option ‘Battery Control with MDC’ must be activated on the MDC host inverter. If several batteries have been installed in the MDC system network, the battery with the largest capacity must be connected to the MDC host inverter.
Without the ‘Battery Control with MDC’ product extension, only one battery can be connected to and controlled via the MDC host inverter.
Controlling and regulating other MDC client inverters is also possible without the product extension if only one battery storage unit is used in the MDC system.
Battery charging strategy for battery control with MDC
If batteries are connected to several inverters and these have the same storage capacity and the same minimum SoC set, they are charged and discharged evenly.
If the storage capacity and minimum SoC differ, the charging and discharging power is adjusted to the corresponding storage capacity of the battery. The SoC has a 5% difference between the host inverter and the client inverters. This means that the MDC host inverter with battery is always the last inverter to reach 100% SoC and the last to reach the minimum SoC.
Backup operation with battery control using MDC
In backup mode, only the battery connected to the MDC host inverter is used. All other inverters are switched off in backup mode.
The following devices and functions are supported by MDC
Below is an overview of the devices that can be controlled via MDC. Please note the current software installed on the G3 inverter.
PLENTICORE G3 with Multi Device Control (MDC) from software version 3.06.10
From software version 3.06.10 onwards, the PLENTICORE G3 can now control other G3 inverters with or without batteries, provided they also have software version 3.06.10 installed.
This eliminates the need for the previous method of connecting multiple inverters via a KOSTAL Smart Energy Meter (KSEM), which required all inverters to be registered in the KSEM. Simultaneous operation of the control system via MDC and KSEM is not permitted.
Not all configurations are currently possible with MDC. An overview is provided below.
The ‘Control via KSEM’ column shows a comparison with the new control option using MDC.
Device type | Control via | Control via |
|---|---|---|
Total number of controllable devices | 3 | 5 |
Total number of controllable devices with battery | 3 | 1 |
PLENTICORE G3 | X | X |
PLENTICORE MP G3 | X | X |
PLENTICORE plus / G2 | - | X |
PLENTICORE BI / G2 | - | X |
PIKO 10 - 20 > FW 5.00 | - | X |
PIKO CI 30/50 G2 | - | X |
PIKO CI 30/50/60 | - | X |
PIKO CI 100 | - | X |
ENECTOR | - | X |
Dynamic limitation of the power drawn at the grid connection point | X | For the ENECTOR G1 wallbox only (blackout protection) |
Dynamic limitation of feed-in power at the grid connection point | X | X |
Section 9 EEG, Section 14a EnWG with FNN control box | X | - |
Section 9 EEG, Section 14a EnWG with digital interface (EEBus / LPP and LPC) | X | X |
Visualisation of generators (KOSTAL inverters) | X | X |
Dynamic electricity tariffs | X | - |
If control via MDC is not possible in your system network because no compatible devices have been installed, control must be carried out via a KOSTAL Smart Energy Meter (KSEM). Please refer to the document ‘Connecting multiple inverters’, which you can find in the product’s download section.