Context
Revolta is a startup developing an Energy Management System (EMS) to optimize the charging and discharging of residential batteries and aggregate them into a virtual power plant capable of providing services to the electrical grid.
When I joined the company, the EMS was only compatible with Victron inverters. My mission was to identify the next inverter brand to integrate and develop the technical solution required to control it through the EMS.
My Contribution
I conducted a market analysis using multiple industry reports and statistical data to identify the most widely installed inverter brands. Based on this analysis, I selected SMA, which offered both strong market presence and Modbus compatibility.
I then purchased and commissioned an SMA inverter, battery system, and the required electrical equipment. Finally, I learned the Modbus communication protocol and developed a prototype control system capable of communicating with the inverter and sending charge/discharge setpoints.
Results
The project successfully demonstrated the integration of SMA inverters into the Revolta ecosystem. I also documented the complete process and technical findings to support future developments within the company.
Tools used
- Modbus RTU / TCP communication protocol
- Inverter and battery management system datasheets and configuration tools
- Python for control scripts and data logging
What I learned
This project deepened my understanding of how inverters and battery management systems communicate in practice, and reinforced the value of thorough market analysis before committing to hardware in a commercial product.