Remote Disconnect Meter Switch as Grid

Isolation & Synchronization Switch for

Battery-Based Systems

• By James A. White, P.E.

• December 2, 2021
 Electric
Utility Grid
Battery System without
Emergency Back-Up Power

Standard
Battery and Inverter Utility
Meter
Battery
Management
System

DC-to-AC Inverter

Battery Bank

Customer’s Existing
Electrical Panel
 (Note: Blue = Customer-Owned, Black= May or may not be Utility-Owned)

Electric
Utility Grid
Battery System with
Emergency Back-Up Power
Standard
Utility
Utility Meter
AC Disconnect
DC-to-AC Inverter
Switch

Inverter’s
Battery Bank Internal
Transfer
Switch

Customer’s Existing
Electrical Panel
Critical Load (Loses Power
Sub-Panel During an Outage)
(Stays on During Outage)
 (Note: Blue = Customer-Owned, Black= Utility-Owned)

EV Battery System with Electric

Utility Grid
Emergency Back-Up Power

Electric Vehicle, EVSE, Battery and Inverter

DC-to-AC Inverter Grid AC In Existing

Battery Management System Meter
Base
Inverter’s
Internal Transfer
Switch

EV DC Fast-Charger,
EV J1779 EV Battery
V2H and V2G
AC Critical Load
Charger Sub-Panel
(Stays on During Outage) Customer’s Existing
Electrical Panel
(Goes Out During Outage)
Instead of Inverter Isolation Switch and Critical Load
Sub-Panel, Use Meter Service Disconnect Switch
as Isolation and Synchronization Switch
Meter w/ Internal Disconnect & Synchronization Switch
Proposed Operation of Meter’s Internal Switch
(Already defined in SunSpec Standard)
1. Power Outage Occurs
1. Open meter switch.
2. Confirm switch is open and that home is islanded.
3. Enable inverter operation to islanded mode (load following).

2. Power Restored
1. Compare frequency of utility voltage and inverter voltages.
2. When utility voltage and inverter voltages are aligned, simultaneously close
the utility switch.
3. Change inverter operation to grid-connected.
Advantage/Disadvantage of Using Meter’s Internal Switch
• Advantage:
• Eliminate need for critical load sub-panel and associated rewiring of the home/business.
• No need for redundant isolation switch on inverter.
• Internal meter switch are inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install.
• Utility’s can operate the switch using their existing infrastructure for load curtailment
during high wind events.
• Communication standard between inverter and disconnect switch already established
through the SunSpec standard.
• Disadvantage
• This is a potential show-stopper, there is no visible air gap for utility workers to confirm
switch has opened (This is a code requirement for utility switches on the utility’s side of
the meter.)
• Communication between the inverter and the meter switch using home or businesses
internal wiring needs to be built into existing utility meters.
 Electric
Utility Grid
Battery System and Smart Meter Switch
with Emergency Back-Up Power

Internal Meter
Grid Disconnect /
Battery and Inverter Synchronization
Switch
Battery
Management
System

DC-to-AC Inverter
Powerline Communication
Battery Bank Between Inverter and Utility
Meter Disconnect Switch Using
SunSpec Standard Customer’s Existing
Electrical Panel
 (Note: Blue = Customer-Owned, Black= Utility-Owned)

Utility-Owned Battery System and Smart Meter Electric

Utility Grid
Switch with Emergency Back-Up Power

Smart Meter Grid

Disconnect /
Synchronization
Utility-Owned Battery and Inverter Switch
Battery
Management
System

DC-to-AC Inverter
Battery AC In and Out
AC kWh
Battery Bank Meter

Customer’s Existing
Electrical Panel
 (Note: Blue = Customer-Owned, Black= Utility-Owned)

EV Battery and EVSE with Smart Meter Switch Electric

Utility Grid
for Emergency Back-Up Power

Integrated EVSE, Battery and Inverter Internal Meter

Grid Disconnect /
Synchronization
Grid AC In
Switch
DC-to-AC Inverter
Battery Management System

EV DC Fast-Charger, Optional
EV J1779 EV Battery Battery Storage
V2H and V2G Customer’s Existing
AC
Charger Electrical Panel
 (Note: Blue = Customer-Owned, Black= Utility-Owned)

Utility-Owned Battery System, EVSE and Smart Electric

Utility Grid
Meter Switch with Emergency Back-Up Power
Internal Meter
Grid Disconnect /
Synchronization
Switch

Utility Owned DC-to-AC Inverter EVSE

Battery Management System Utility
Meter

Optional
EV DC Fast-Charger, Utility-Owned
EV J1779 EV Battery
V2H and V2G Battery Storage Customer’s Existing
AC
Charger Electrical Panel
Utility Ownership of Battery and Inverter
• Advantages
1. No up-front cost to the customer because utility-owned asset can be
financed by the utility through a monthly fee.
2. Customers have battery back-up during a power outage.
3. Utility can use the battery to benefit their grid without impacting the
customer.
4. Utility can be assured of compatibility between inverter and meter switch.

• Disdavantages
1. Battery may not be fully charged in the event of an outage.