CPPALUE will accept inverters on the CEC Software Communication Client List and the certification testing that has been completed to date. For Clients already on this list, our testing scope will be a limited set of once off tests to validate connectivity and operation with the CPPALUE Utility Server. These tests will be limited to:
• Validating that the client can connect to the server, communicate register, modify post and poll rates, and receive and respond to OpModEnergize, OpModGenLimW and OpModExpLimW commands as well as confirm the correct telemetry. This will include default controls and subscription notification for aggregators.
• Testing to ensure compatibility for the minor, known differences between the SAPN and CPPALUE Utility Servers. CPPALUE are using the same GE DER Gateway as Energy Queensland.
Where an OEM uses an aggregator or third-party gateway for the CSIP-AUS communication, it will not be necessary to test each inverter already on the CEC approved list. A type test to the common software communications client (including one of the certified inverters) will be sufficient to obtain validation with the CPPALUE Utility Server.
Whilst the intention of the testing is client interoperability testing and it’s not expected to test every make and model of inverter, it is expected that an inverter is included in the testing to confirm the end device behaviour.
Our setup requirements prior to testing commencement include:
• Completion of the application, approval and device registration set up (including out of band registration of the device if required) as detailed in section 7.
• Confirmation the test set up is as required (see section 9).
• Where an OEM supports multiple inverters, testing will be required to conducted with at least two inverters. Inverter and client are in a state with no existing controls except for default post and polling as per Section 9.3.
Table 8: Test Details
Test | Test Description | Expected Result |
In Band Registration (For aggregator mediated clients only) | Generate and send device LFDI and NMI (as connectionpointID) to server in band (if supported). | Client discovers ConnectionPoint resource. Server confirms the ConnectionPointID is a valid 11-character test NMI as provided. LFDI is as per expected requirements including appending of PEN as per section 11. |
Discovery | This test is intended to validate the client’s ability to perform discovery against the utility server and to establish basic IEEE 2030.5-based communications. Publish of device capability and settings. Post connection status and operational mode and operational and DOE modes supported. Confirm correct polling and posting rate. | Client receives Function Set resource links. Client receives resource information from server. Server responds with EndDevice contents. Server receives valid end device settings and capabilities including supported DOE modes. Client posts monitoring values representative of current state. Client posts DER status representative of current state. Confirm device is posting at correct default post rate. Confirm device is polling at correct default poll rate. |
Energize | Pre-condition: End device connected, operating and exporting 1500W (or 50% of active power rating). Send active control of OpModEnergize = False for twice the poll rate. | Inverter responds to controls and modifies connection at scheduled time. Inverter de-energises and then re-energises at the end of active control. Validation is confirmed via DER status and end device generation is 0W. |
Test | Test Description | Expected Result |
Device de-energises and updates DERStatus to confirm that the DER is de- energised. Confirm inverter active power limit reduces to 0W. At the end of the active control the device re-energises and updates DERStatus to confirm that the DER is re-energised. | • Client posts genConnectStatus = 0 when not connected. • Client posts bit 0 of genConnectstatus = 1 when connected and genConnectStatus = 7 when connected available and operating. • Client posts OperationalMode = 1 when not generating. • Client posts OperationalMode = 2 when generating. Client posts back correct control response: • Control response = 1 (received). • Control response = 2 (started). • Control response = 3 (completed). | |
Generation Limit | Pre-condition: End device connected, operating and exporting at the connection point 1500W (or 50% of active power rating). Site or controlled load at least 500W and stable. Set a default OpModExpLimW=1000W and set an active OpModGenLimW = 0W for twice the poll rate. Confirm inverter active power limit reduces to 0W. Confirm at end of scheduled control that site active power returns to 1000W. | Inverter responds to controls and generates to expected value at scheduled time and correct control response. Once active control is completed, client returns to default export limit. Server validates the DER measurements change and are accurate. |
Export Limit | Pre-condition: End device connected, operating and exporting at the connection point 1500W (or 50% of active power rating). Site or controlled load at least 500W and stable. Set a default OpModExpLimW=1000W and set an active OpModExpLimW = 500W for 4x the poll rate. Confirm site active power limit reduces to 500W. Once confirmed set an overlapping active OpModExpLimW = 0W for 4x the poll rate. Confirm site active power limit increases to 0W. Once confirmed cancel active control after one poll. Confirm that site active power limit returns to 1000W upon next poll. | Inverter responds to control and generates to expected value at the connection point for scheduled time and correct control response. Once active control is superseded, client changes active control response. Once active control is cancelled, client returns to default limit. Validation is confirmed via site mirror usage point. Client posts back correct control response: • Control response = 6 (cancelled) • Control response = 7 (superseded) |
Post Rate | Update post rate from default value of 60s to 300s. Confirm next mirror meter reading is posted after 300s. | Direct Client: Upon next poll of the MirrorUsagePointList the Client updates its new postRate. Aggregator Client: On change, the Client receives its new postRate. Client posts at new post rate. |
Test | Test Description | Expected Result |
Server receives mirror meter reading at new post rate. | ||
Subscription/ Notification | This functionality/test may not be available in the first round of testing. Pre-condition: End device connected, operating and exporting at the connection point 1500W (or 50% of active power rating). Site or controlled load at least 500W and stable. Set a default OpModExpLimW=1000W and straight after a poll set a subscription notification active OpModExpLimW=0W for two times the poll rate. Confirm that site active power reduces to 0W immediately (before next poll). Confirm at the end of the scheduled control the site active power returns to the default export limit of 1000W. | The client gets the subscribed controls. The end device responds to the control between regularly polled time periods at the correct time. The end device reverts back to the default control at the end of active control. |
Table 9: Possible Failure Modes of Test
Test | Possible Failure Modes |
Registration (For aggregator mediated clients only) | NMI is not correct length or correct form. LFDI does not have correct PEN appended. Incorrect PIN used. |
Discovery | Incorrect device ratings or settings posted. Incorrect device or operational mode status posted. Not posting DOE modes supported. Not posting or polling at correct rate. Not synchronising with server time. |
Monitoring and measurements | Site or DER measurements are not accurate. Posting at the incorrect rate. Not posting with the correct time. Not posting on change as required. Posting in the incorrect format or scale, e.g. use of incorrect multiplier. |
Controls | Not polling for the control. Not posting the correct control response. Incorrect physical response. Software communications client response not matching inverter response. Not reverting to default control at the completion of the scheduled controls. Not reverting to default control at the completion of current scheduled control in the event of a communications failure. Inverter not responding to manage export within 15s. |