AGL VPP Sigenergy battery control

[PAF]

Does the AGL BYOB integration for Sigenergy use Virtual Battery Allocation, or does it temporarily override the inverter’s operating mode during a VPP event?

[Eagles]

I am currently participating in agl vpp. Is it mandatory that I have to stay on sigen AI mode? Can I change setting to time-based control?

[Keefie]

Probably safest to ask AGL.

I am still onboarding at the moment but I just received some instructions on setting the operating mode in the mySigen app. The instructions are specific to the Battery Rewards Plan though and it suggests first ensuring that the Battery Rewards tariff plan is already set up in the app (i.e. you have entered the right tariffs and times etc). After which it suggests changing the operational mode to Sigen AI mode. However, my reading is that this mode is only suggested since it represents the easiest way of getting the most out of the plan, since using AI it will automatically export during the evening Peak etc. There are other ways of doing the same thing e.g. using the Time-based control mode and other modes which you might prefer to use. I suspect all of these should still work, other than Remote EMS Mode since this would lead to another third party system on top of AGL trying to control the battery at the same time.

[Eagles]

Thanks Keefie, I have changed to Time of Use mode and everything seems to function as normal. AGL app is still getting updated from my Sigen.

I've found the AI Mode very unreliable and often does weird things that cannot be explained. I would miss out on the best monetary outcome, and it has no consideration for the battery health.

Time of Use once setup correctly provides peace of mind. Guarantee the battery is always charged to 100% by 4pm, and exporting between 5-9pm.

[Keefie]

Interesting. I havent been using SigenAI mode for long but so far have found it quite good. I have set an additional Personal Strategy to charge the battery to at least 95% by 4pm every day to get around the limitation you mention. We also have a large solar array though so i dont think this target has kicked in since I set it.

It does tend to export at the max rate when it needs to though which some may not like. This probably isnt the best for the system health but it is the easiest way to avoid any chance of having to import before 9pm. It basically waits until 730pm and then discharges at the max rate until 9pm, which in our case leaves pretty much enough to get us through to next morning. 

[PAF]

Keefie - I have been using Sigen AI since joining AG a few months ago. I started with Balanced, and that worked perfectly. I then moved to AGL VPP and again after the couple of days of transition, it again worked well. Next, I went on holidays, and changed it to profit maximiser. Again all good, and upon my return I moved it back to Balanced. I have a 24kWh battery, and 18kW panels. I use the Sigen AI assistant a lot for information and system understanding (even using ChatGPT to ask specific questions of the AI Assistant). Getting inverter temperature, how the AI modes work etc. I hope your stuck VPP mode gets sorted quickly.

[Eagles]

There were times Sigen AI overruled my personal preferences, not charging battery to 100% as example. Moving to Time-Based Control eliminated any uncertainty.

[Sparker]

I just received this response back from Sigenergy against the recent support ticket I raised with them. Seems like AGL and Sigenergy are not communicating very well. 

Dear customer,
I'm very sorry for the late reply. If we are to enable this feature, AGL needs to synchronize the list with us. We have not yet received the new list from AGL. Could you please contact AGL and ask them to report your power station list to us, so that we can continue to help you with the processing? We have already contacted AGL, but have not yet received a reply. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Best regards,
Sigenergy Service Team

[Sparker]

Late this afternoon I received another message from Sigenergy support staff through the mySigen App indicating that they had received a list from AGL yesterday 21 September of systems to complete the onboarding process. My system was on the list and they did whatever they do on their end and my system changed back to Self Consumption mode. I then changed it to Sigen AI mode and the system did it's first automatic evening export since I signed up to the VPP. I assume my system is now fully onboarded to the AGL VPP. Finally I think we have got there.

Now I need to work out and complete the application for the NSW Gov Peak Demand Reduction Scheme VPP rebate which I think AGL somewhat handle for their customers.