TKE installed TCS-10 CAN switches in an energy storage system (ESS) in the Netherlands
The system can store energy from the grid, ideally when produced by the vast quantities of local renewables, and then supply the grid with stored energy during periods of high demand. This approach reduces the need for fossil-fuel-based balancing plants. When combined with low-carbon renewable energy production, the system significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the energy system.
The ESS uses batteries to store electrical energy arranged in a modular architecture, with several battery units consisting of multiple racks of batteries. The power distribution unit installed at each battery string uses a controller to control and monitor battery operation. These controllers communicate over a CAN bus network in a star topology.
“By adopting TCS-10 CAN switch we were able to guarantee flawless CAN bus communication for project”
Timo Alho, Principal Engineer, Energy Storage & Optimisation, at Wärtsilä
CAN bus networks, in general, offer reliable communication. Each branch of the configuration is connected to the star junction. There were some intermittent communication errors related to the project CAN communication, that were fixed with updated design of CAN networks at the site.
Measurements of various aspects of a CAN bus network
A CAN bus tester measures various aspects of a CAN bus network and helps engineers debug physical layer communication problems. The TKE also used an oscilloscope to analyze CAN signals and measure signal timings with greater accuracy.
The team used a Kvaser USB CAN interface together with CANtrace to detect error frames and store the communication log for future reference. The team connected one of the battery units to the grid and operated it at approximately 25% power while monitoring CAN traffic on the TCS-10 CAN switch with the Kvaser CAN interface and CAN tester.
Updated design of CAN networks at the site
After installing the TKE TCS-10 CAN switches, the team resolved the communication problems and enabled the CAN line to operate without communication errors.
The battery system architecture benefited from a CAN bus star topology because it simplified scalable system design and reduced wiring installation work.
TCS-10 CAN switch is an ideal solution for conveying the CAN traffic
The TKE TCS-10 CAN switch provides an ideal solution for transmitting CAN traffic in star junction CAN networks. The intelligent switch electrically separates the branch networks and creates independent CAN network branches.
This architecture allows engineers to consider cable length limitations only between the switch and the last node in each branch instead of across the entire network.