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?

[ShowsOn]

Thank you for the follow up.

I saw the app changed from Evergen to Self Consumption this afternoon.. I have now set it to Sigenergy AI.

Does this mean I am now part of the VPP? 

I have only been an AGL customer for 2 weeks as of today, and the AGL app still isn;t showing me any power usage data. The app says Electricty usage pending.

[PAF]

Only in the last 48 hours has the mode changed to VPP as AGL test the system. Earlier tonight, it changed to Self Consumption. I am waiting for the official email from AGL so that I can return it to Sigen AI mode (Balanced).
One thing I was not aware of was that whilst the testing was being undertaken, that I lost the export revenue during that time ( 2 nights revenue loss - hidden initial cost). A minor revenue loss, but I didn’t know that was going to happen. Also, after VPP mode, it went to Self Consumption, exactly as the AGL email said. But that means that I do have to change it to Sigen AI mode (balanced) - it does not automatically do that. Whilst it’s not an official VPP event, it’s something to watch out for. Hope this helps.

[ShowsOn]

Yes I monitored mine and did a manual override to ensure I exported between 5 PM and 9 PM last night. 

[PAF]

I am leaving mine until I get the “official” email. Three days now - hoping the email happens tomorrow.

[PAF]

For the VPP test, the mode went from Sigen AI to VPP (for a couple of days) then to Self Consumption. I have now changed it to Sigen AI mode, and expect that the battery operation is back to normal. I am now on Profit Maximiser, to maximise the export during 5-9pm.
The only thing I don’t know is that when a VPP event occurs and concludes, will it go to Self Consumption or Sigen AI mode thereafter? I have been told yes, but time will tell.

[Keefie]

My system has been stuck in VPP scheduling for the past 13 days. Despite numerous calls and an email to the dedicated team and attempts on chat I cant seem to get this resolved. I have been promised i) that we are working on it and ii) emails with instructions that never came.

Any recommendations?

[Sparker]

KEEFIE, I am in the same situation. Mine has been stuck for about 12 days. I saw the VPP do its thing on my battery with short discharges and charges over 4 days within two days of me signing up to the VPP and then soon after that I got access to my battery data through the AGL app and that side is working perfectly. It is just stuck in VPP Scheduling - evergen mode and the AGL battery support staff are very apologetic but can't do anything about it. I've been told that Sigenergy needs to complete their part of the onboarding process and then the system will release back to Self Consumption mode. I have an escalated ticket running with Sigenergy as of today. The standard response from them is that the operation as outlined in this thread doesn't work like that. They say the only way to release the VPP Scheduling - evergen mode is to disconnect the VPP altogether and I don't think I want to do that until this mess is sorted out. I suspect the support staff have not caught up with the features made possible through the latest firmware update. They have escalated it to their senior staff so we'll see what happens. In the meantime I'm manually discharging to the grid each evening using the Instant Manual Control function in the mySigen app and I'm seeing the discharges appear in the AGL app with the correct revenue two days later.

[PAF]

Sorry - don’t know what the issue could be. I’d phone Sigenergy or ask Sigen Ai. Mine worked without a drama. Good luck!

Sent from my iPhone

[Keefie]

Thanks Sparker.

At least we are getting a similar story. I have also been using the Manual Control function to export every evening, which isnt the end of the world, although set and forgetting on SigenAI mode would be better.

I would be interested in hearing how you get on with your Sigenergy ticket. AGL chat did suggest this as well, but frankly it should be up to AGL to sort out rather than the customer. If they need assistance from Sigenergy thats fine but other than manual exports there doesnt seem to be anything i can do at this end anyway. If i try and select one of the other operational modes it just suggests deactivating the VPP service first and there doesnt seem to be any way to do this.

Some kind of comms from AGL would be useful as all the other available advice on this forum and elsewhere suggests that the VPP Scheduling should take 24-36 hours not 15 days! 

[Keefie]

AI is your friend after all.

Not sure i can paste the whole AI thread here but if you also have a Modbus Home Assistant connection to your Sigenergy system then you can 'break' the VPP lock by toggling the Remote EMS Control switch on in Home Assistant

Toggle Remote EMS Control:

• Locate the Remote EMS switch entity in your Home Assistant dashboard for the Sigenergy integration.
• Turn the switch off to release the external dispatch lock. Be aware it will fall back to standard self-consumption

This worked for me, clearing the VPP Scheduling and allowing me to return the system to Sigen AI mode. My battery etc still shows in the AGL app as well, which suggests that AGL can still see the my system. Remains to be seen whether they can control it during a VPP event.