# Configuration

> Configure a Voltmasters microgrid: the microgrid settings and thresholds, the IO roles on the IO module, the generator settings and the load shedding priorities.

Source: https://voltmasters.io/en/docs/microgrid/configuration/

A microgrid is configured in four places on the project. This page walks through them in the order you set them up.

## Before you start

-   The project's controller runs a firmware version that supports Microgrid. Until then the settings below stay hidden.
-   The devices are added: the battery (PCS), the IO module and, if present, the generator and the PV inverters. See [Adding and verifying devices](https://voltmasters.io/en/docs/getting-started/adding-and-verifying-devices/).
-   You are a Voltmasters administrator or have the **Installer** role on the project.

## Microgrid settings

Open **Configuration → Grid & market → Microgrid settings**. One **Save** at the bottom stores the whole page and sends it to the controller.

![Voltmasters EMS: Microgrid settings with the Microgrid operation switch, the Grid transfer setting and the generator thresholds](https://voltmasters.io/assets/docs/microgrid-settings-top.webp)

*The top of the page: the main switch, the grid transfer and the first group of thresholds.*

| Setting | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| **Microgrid operation** | Switches the microgrid logic on the controller on or off. The IO roles can be assigned and tested while it is off; the controller only acts on them once it is on. |
| **Grid transfer** | Who performs the transfer between grid and island. Choose **The EMS performs the transfer**: a static transfer switch is not supported by the controller yet. |

### Thresholds and policies

They apply as soon as microgrid operation is on.

| Group | Setting | Default | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Generator | **Start SOC (%)** | 20 | Below this state of charge the controller starts the generator. |
| **Stop SOC (%)** | 90 | Above this state of charge it stops the generator again. Must be above the start threshold. |
| **Generator support with the grid present** | Off | Lets the generator support the site on the grid too, for example to shave a peak. Off: it only runs in island operation. |
| Grid window | **Minimum grid voltage (V)** | 207 | Outside this window the grid does not count as usable. |
| **Maximum grid voltage (V)** | 253 |
| **Minimum grid frequency (Hz)** | 49.5 |
| **Maximum grid frequency (Hz)** | 50.5 |
| **Grid stable for (s)** | 60 | How long voltage and frequency must stay inside the window before the grid counts as returned. |
| AC bus | **Confirm a dead bus after (s)** | 10 | How long the bus must stay without voltage before the controller considers it dead. |
| Reconnection | **Reconnection** | Manual | **Manual (release from the app)** waits for a release. **Automatic** reconnects on its own. See [Grid reconnection](https://voltmasters.io/en/docs/microgrid/grid-reconnection/). |
| **Automatic reconnection delay (s)** | 60 | Only with Automatic: how long the controller waits after a stable grid. |
| Islanded operation | **PV while islanded** | Limit | **Limit** keeps the inverters online under a setpoint. **Disconnect** takes them off the AC bus (needs a PV relay, see below). **Unavailable**: the PV cannot be steered and stays off. |
| **Power reserve (%)** | 10 | Share of the available power kept free to absorb a sudden load. |
| **Start load shedding at SOC (%)** | 30 | Below this state of charge the controller starts shedding loads. |
| **Island reserve SOC (%)** | 50 | On the grid the battery does not discharge below this, so energy is ready for an outage. Topped up from the grid at any price. 0 turns it off. |

![Voltmasters EMS: microgrid settings with the grid window, the AC bus and the reconnection groups](https://voltmasters.io/assets/docs/microgrid-settings-grid-window-reconnection.webp)

*The grid window, the AC bus and the reconnection, with their defaults.*

### IO roles

In the **Microgrid** section at the bottom of the page you assign every signal to a port of the IO module: pick the **IO extension** and the **Port**. For outputs you also choose the **Actuation**: **Level (hold)** or **Pulse**, with a **Pulse duration (s)** (5 s by default).

![Voltmasters EMS: IO roles for the inputs, with the grid breaker feedback, the decoupling switch feedback and the protection relay each on a digital input of the IO module](https://voltmasters.io/assets/docs/microgrid-settings-io-inputs.webp)

*Inputs: each signal on its own digital input (DI) of the IO module.*

| Inputs (a high input means the condition holds) | Outputs |
| --- | --- |
| **Grid breaker closed (feedback)**, required | **Grid breaker: close** |
| **Decoupling switch closed (feedback)** | **Grid breaker: open** |
| **Protection relay tripped** | **Decoupling switch** |
| **Emergency stop from microgrid controller** | **Generator start** |
| **AC bus voltage present** | **Emergency stop to microgrid controller** |
|  | **PV disconnect (high = PV off)** or **PV release (high = PV allowed)** |

![Voltmasters EMS: IO roles for the outputs, with Grid breaker: close on a digital output with pulse actuation of 5 seconds](https://voltmasters.io/assets/docs/microgrid-settings-io-outputs.webp)

*Outputs: the breaker close command as a 5-second pulse.*

-   One port carries one role, and one role sits on one port.
-   Use either PV disconnect or PV release, not both. Both only work with level actuation.
-   A relay that carries a microgrid role cannot be tested from the device page. Remove the role first.

## Generator settings

The generator's own limits are set on the generator device: open **Devices**, choose the generator and go to its settings.

| Setting | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| **Rated power** | The generator's rated power in kVA. Required. |
| **Ramp rate** | How fast the generator may change its power, in % per second. Required: without it the controller does not dispatch the generator. |
| **Minimum load** / **Target load** | The lowest load the generator may run at (30 %) and the load it aims for (80 %). |
| **Minimum runtime** / **Minimum off time** | In minutes, to avoid short start and stop cycles. |
| **Fuel cost** / **Start-up cost** | In € per kWh and € per start. The fuel cost is used in the [microgrid report](https://voltmasters.io/en/docs/microgrid/microgrid-report/). |

## Load shedding priorities

Open **Configuration → Strategy** and scroll to **Load shedding priorities**. The order applies project-wide, to the grid limit protection and to island operation.

![Voltmasters EMS: load shedding priorities with two EV chargers in priority group 1, a heat pump in group 2 and cold storage under Critical: do not shed, and the check that the batteries can carry the critical loads](https://voltmasters.io/assets/docs/microgrid-load-shedding-priorities.webp)

*EV chargers are shed first, then the heat pump. The cold storage is critical and stays on.*

-   **Priority group 1** is limited first, group 2 only when group 1 is not enough. Drag devices between groups or use the menu on a device. Within a group, the controller limits EV chargers before switched loads.
-   **Critical: do not shed**: these devices are never shed, on the grid nor in island operation. Only an emergency stop from the grid operator still switches them off.
-   The battery sits outside the groups: on the grid it is always limited first, in island operation it forms the grid.
-   With Microgrid on, the top of the list checks whether the batteries can carry the critical loads in island operation (battery power minus the power reserve).

> **Warning**
>
> The order only reaches the controller once you click **Save priorities**. As long as the list shows **Default order**, the controller uses its own default order: EV chargers first, then the other loads.