How to energy optimize your property? Complete guide to ESS solutions

How to save money and increase operational reliability with smart energy storage systems, battery technology, and solar panels.

There is no doubt that the most common question right now is: How can I energy optimize my property? Here we clarify the concepts and provide concrete suggestions for various ESS solutions (Energy Storage System) that will help you save money and increase operational reliability.

Common challenges that ESS solves

An ESS system addresses several different needs. Depending on the installation and conditions, each solution is designed individually for the best price/performance. Here are the most common questions:

1. We use most electricity when it is most expensive – can we store cheap night-time electricity for daytime use?
2. We need more power than we can or want to secure – can the system support incoming supply?
3. We have frequent disturbances in the power grid – can we get a stable power supply even during grid problems?
4. We want to be able to power the property completely without an incoming power grid for longer periods – is there an automatic generator solution?
5. We want to start small by storing night-time electricity for certain loads, but be able to scale up over time.

Basic information about Victron Energy ESS

Victron Energy ESS systems store energy in batteries when electricity is cheap or available, to then be used when the price is high. The system is flexible and can connect different battery Manufacturers, but Victron's own lithium batteries are recommended for an integrated and scalable solution. Monitoring takes place via the Victron VRM portal.

Main components of the ESS system

To make it simple, we have divided the system into 7 main groups:

• 1. Inverter/charger – The heart of the system. Sized according to the number of phases and loads.
• 2. DC distribution & battery monitoring – Safe and efficient power management.
• 3. System monitoring – Real-time control via VRM and Cerbo GX.
• 4. Battery solution – Lead or lithium? We compare technologies.
• 5. Solar panels & controllers – Renewable energy as a complement.
• 6. Generator – Backup for longer power outages.
• 7. Other – Cabling, fuses, and installation materials.

Examples of inverter/chargers

Victron Energy Quattro-II – Combined inverter and charger with support for two AC inputs, three-phase operation, and PowerAssist technology.

Victron Energy MultiPlus-II – Multifunctional inverter/charger with overload protection and parallel connection for higher power.

Battery technology – Lead vs Lithium

Lithium batteries have high charge acceptance, constant voltage, up to 95% utilization rate, and low weight compared to lead-acid batteries. For ESS, 48V systems are recommended to handle large loads efficiently.

Solar panels and production

Solar panels reduce the need for grid charging, but keep in mind that production is lowest during the winter months. Below you can see how the power varies throughout the year in the Stockholm area:

Example systems

Victron Energy 3-phase Quattro-II with generator

• 3x Quattro-II 48/5000
• Lynx Smart BMS 500
• Lynx Distributor
• Cerbo GX + GX Touch 50
• 6x Victron Lithium 25.6V 200Ah

Victron Energy 3-phase MultiPlus-II

Victron Energy 1-phase MultiPlus

Want to know more?

See our webinar on Victron Energy ESS and more blog posts about energy solutions.