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?

[Pen_AGL · Accepted solution]

Hi @PAF 

Great question! AGL’s VPP integration does not use Virtual Battery Allocation, This is separate to how AGL's VPP operates.

When your battery is participating in the AGL VPP, we may temporarily control the battery during VPP events to help support the grid. Outside of these events, your battery continues to operate as normal based on your chosen settings.

If you're using Sigenergy's Virtual Battery Allocation feature, we recommend checking with Sigenergy on how the feature works and whether it suits your preferred battery setup and energy goals. 😊

[saturnv5]

I have a Sigenergy battery system with a 20kW TP inverter. Will I still be able to control when my battery automatically imports and exports to grid after joining the VPP (e.g. using the Sigenergy app or Home Assistant)?

[Pen_AGL]

Hi @saturnv5 

Yes! When you join the VPP, we only take control of your battery during VPP dispatch events. At all other times, you'll retain control of your battery settings and can manage charging, discharging, imports, and exports as you normally would using the Sigenergy app.

[PAF]

So if it was in Sigen AI mode before a VPP event, AGL takeover when an event occurs, is it returned to Sigen AI mode after the VPP event occurs? I just want to know whether I have to intervene or not.

[Pen_AGL]

Hi @PAF 

Yes, that's correct. If your battery is in Sigen AI mode before a VPP event, AGL will temporarily take control of the battery for the duration of the event. Once the event has finished, control is automatically returned to your previous settings, including Sigen AI mode if that was enabled beforehand.

There is no action required from you.

[Sparker]

Hi,

I would like to sign up my Sigenergy system to the AGL VPP with the Battery Rewards Plan and this issue is key. I have spoken to several AGL VPP folk recently and have been told there were still issues with this. Has this now been fully resolved? If I sign up today, will it work as you have outlined here?

[Sparker]

Hi PAF,

Did you have success with this? I want to do the same thing.

[ShowsOn]

Hello

I am confused by this. As of yesterday, my Sigenergy system has a new Operational Mode called "VPP Scehduling-evergen". If I try to change to a different mode I can't. Instead there is a message "Please deactivate the VPP service before switching to another mode".

I was told when I signed up to the VPP that I would still be able to choose when to charge and discharge the battery, however, the VPP would take priority during VPP events. I am perfectly fine with that. 

But what seems to be happening now is that I am stuck on my last Time Based Control settings without anyway to change those settings.

This is important because I am currently on the Three For Free plan. I charge my battery between 10 AM and 1 PM, and then I discharge the battery between 5 PM and 9 PM.

I am planning on moving to the Battery Rewards plan in spring, and I still want to be able to set a discharge between 5 PM and 9 PM.

I accept that the VPP may over ride when I want to charge and discharge, but I still want the flexibility to set when the battery charges and discharges.

[Pen_AGL]

Hi @ShowsOn 

Thanks for reaching out.

What you're seeing is expected as part of the Sigenergy onboarding process. The "VPP Scheduling - Evergen" mode indicates that your system has been connected to the AGL Virtual Power Plant and is currently being managed through the VPP integration.

As outlined in the email sent over the past couple of days, we're in the process of transitioning Sigenergy customers to Sigen AI Mode. Once this transition is complete, you'll regain the ability to manage your battery's operating preferences while still participating in the VPP. The VPP will continue to take priority during VPP events, but you'll be able to configure your preferred charging and discharging behaviour outside of those events.

At the moment, your system is still in the onboarding stage, which is why you're unable to switch operating modes or adjust the charge/discharge settings directly in the mySigen app.

As part of the onboarding process, your battery's operating mode will automatically change from VPP Scheduling - Evergen to Self Consumption. Once you see this change reflected in the mySigen app, please follow the instructions provided in the Customer Guide - Sigenergy Operating System Configuration that was included in the email to change your operating mode to Sigen AI Mode. This will allow you to manage your preferred charging and discharging behaviour while continuing to participate in the AGL Virtual Power Plant, with the VPP only taking priority during VPP events.

We understand the importance of maintaining your preferred charging and discharging schedule, particularly for plans such as Three Hours Free and Battery Rewards, and we're working through this transition as quickly as possible. 

Please refer to the email for the full instructions and next steps.

Thanks!