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The UtCS Nano-Grid Design Framework

Sustainable. Energy. Simplified.

UtCS (Pty) Ltd

Eng. C. Nicholls

CONFIDENTIAL

24-Hour Energy Flow Engineering Diagram

Professional engineering diagram showing energy generation, storage, and consumption patterns

24-Hour Energy Generation & Consumption Profile

Battery State of Charge (SOC) Profile

Solar Generation

2.75 kW

Peak @ Noon

Battery Capacity

10.24 kWh

9.22 kWh Usable

Daily Capacity

18.5 kWh

PV + Battery

Grid Connection

3 kW

Bidirectional

R50k System Overview

Total Investment

R49,893

Incl. VAT

PV Capacity

2.75 kW

5 × 550W Panels

Battery Storage

10.24 kWh

9.22 kWh Usable

Daily Capacity

18.5 kWh

PV + Battery

NRS097 Shared Transformer Network Design

Engineering diagram of 60A single-phase houses on shared feeder with ADMD calculations

Understanding ADMD (After Diversity Maximum Demand)

Definition: ADMD is the maximum power demand that a group of consumers will simultaneously place on the electrical network after considering diversity. It accounts for the statistical reality that not all consumers use their maximum demand at the same time.

Why ADMD Matters: If we sized transformers based on the sum of all individual maximum demands, the infrastructure would be vastly oversized and economically unviable. ADMD allows for realistic, cost-effective network planning.

ADMD Calculation Example:

  • Individual House Max Demand: 13.8 kVA (60A @ 230V)
  • Total Installed Demand (57 houses): 18 × 13.8 = 248.4 kVA
  • ADMD Factor (Residential): 0.35 - 0.45 (typically 0.4)
  • Actual Maximum Demand: 248.4 × 0.4 = 314.6 kVA
  • Transformer Size Required: 315 kVA ✓

Network Planning Application: Using ADMD factor of 0.4, a 315 kVA mini-sub transformer can reliably serve approximately 57 houses with 60A single-phase supply, even though their combined maximum demand would theoretically be 248.4 kVA.

Per House Specification

  • Supply: 60A Single Phase (230V)
  • Max Demand: 13.8 kVA
  • Max Export: 3.68 kW (16A @ 230V)
  • Nano-Grid: 2.75 kW PV + 10.24 kWh BESS

ADMD Calculations

  • ADMD Factor: 0.35 - 0.45
  • Avg per House: ~5.5 kVA (@ 0.4 ADMD)
  • Mini-Sub Capacity: 315 kVA
  • Houses per Mini-Sub: ~57 houses

NRS097 Export Limits

  • Per Phase Export: Max 25% of supply
  • 60A Supply: 15A export limit
  • Max Export Power: 3.45 kW @ 230V
  • System Compliance: 2.75 kW ✓

Network Topology Diagram

Network Configuration Summary

Transformer Specifications

  • Transformer Rating: 315 kVA
  • Voltage: 11kV / 400V-230V
  • Houses Connected: 57 houses
  • Total Installed Demand: 786.6 kVA (57 × 13.8 kVA)
  • ADMD Demand (0.4 factor): 314.6 kVA
  • Utilization Factor: 99.9%

Export Scenario Analysis

  • Max Export per House: 2.75 kW (System Limited)
  • Simultaneous Export (50%): 78.4 kW (29 houses)
  • Peak Export (All Houses): 156.8 kW (57 houses)
  • Transformer Reverse Flow: 49.8% of rating
  • NRS097 Compliance: ✓ Compliant
  • Grid Stability: ✓ Maintained

UtCS Mass Deployment Framework

Comprehensive framework for nano-grid mass deployment

Key Role Players

Program Owner

Municipality

Public sector oversight and governance

CAPEX Acquisition

Private Funders

Capital expenditure financing through Municipal Schedule 2 of the ERA-Compliant SSEG Program

Program Execution

UtCS

Design, execution, and oversight

UtCS Execution Framework: Three Pillars

PLACE

Installation Location
  • • Drone-based rooftop assessments
  • • Site evaluation & suitability
  • • Location establishment
Warehouse Operations
  • • Equipment inventory management
  • • Deployment kits compilation
  • • Kits dispatching
  • • Post-dispatch management
Consumer Info Pods
  • • Information centers
  • • End-user support
  • • Community engagement

PEOPLE

Consumers
  • • In-person education
  • • Contracting process
  • • Post-commissioning activation
  • • Monitoring & evaluation
Deployment Teams
  • • UtCS training programs
  • • Deployment operations
  • • Maintenance services
  • • Efficiency: 300 per R250k

EQUIPMENT

Core Systems
  • • PV Solar Panels
  • • Hybrid Inverters
  • • BESS (Battery Storage)
Monitoring
  • • Smart Meters (E460)
  • • WiFi CCTV Cameras
  • • WiFi Routers
Support Infrastructure
  • • Mounting structures
  • • Protection equipment
  • • Cabling & peripherals

Implementation Phases

1

Assessment Phase

Drone-based rooftop assessments for site suitability

2

Logistics & Supply Chain

Warehouse management, kit compilation, and dispatching

3

Consumer Engagement

Education, contracting, and activation

4

Deployment & Maintenance

Installation and ongoing system support

5

Continuous Improvement

Monitoring, evaluation, and optimization

System Design Specifications

PV Array

  • Capacity: 2.75 kW
  • Panels: 5 × 550W
  • Brand: JA Solar JAM72S30
  • Type: Monocrystalline PERC
  • Efficiency: 21.3%
  • Warranty: 25 years
  • Daily Gen: 9.28 kWh/day

Hybrid Inverter

  • Model: Huawei SUN2000-3KTL-L1
  • Capacity: 3 kW
  • Type: Hybrid String
  • Efficiency: 98.3%
  • MPPT: 2 Trackers
  • Phase: Single Phase
  • Warranty: 10 years

Battery Storage

  • Model: Huawei LUNA2000-5-S0
  • Modules: 2 × 5.12 kWh
  • Total: 10.24 kWh
  • Usable: 9.22 kWh (90% DoD)
  • Type: LiFePO4
  • Cycles: 6000 @ 90% DoD
  • Warranty: 10 years

Complete Bill of Quantities (BOQ)

Major Equipment (CAPEX)

Item Description Qty Unit Price Total
JA Solar JAM72S30 550W Monocrystalline PERC Panel 5 R 1,520 R 7,600
Huawei SUN2000-3KTL-L1 3kW Hybrid String Inverter 1 R 8,300 R 8,300
Huawei LUNA2000-5-S0 5.12kWh Battery Module (LiFePO4) 2 R 4,200 R 8,400
Landis+Gyr E460 4-Quadrant Bi-Directional Smart Meter 1 R 2,550 R 2,550
CAPEX Subtotal: R 26,850

Support Equipment & Monitoring

Item Description Qty Unit Price Total
WiFi Router (Outdoor IP65 Rated) 1 R 620 R 620
WiFi CCTV Camera 2MP (Hikvision or equivalent) 1 R 880 R 880
Roof Mounting Structure (Aluminum, 5 panels) 1 R 1,650 R 1,650
AC/DC Protection & Isolator Package 1 R 1,650 R 1,650
Cabling (DC: 15m, AC: 12m, 4mm² & 6mm²) 1 R 945 R 945
MC4 Connectors & Cable Terminals 1 R 420 R 420
Earthing Kit (Rods, Clamps, Cable) 1 R 580 R 580
PVC Conduit & Trunking (10m) 1 R 260 R 260
Weatherproof Enclosure IP55 (for protection devices) 1 R 380 R 380
Support Equipment Subtotal: R 7,385

Installation & Labor

Item Description Qty Unit Price Total
PV Panel Installation (Roof mounting, alignment) 1 R 1,250 R 1,250
Inverter & Battery Installation (Wall mounting, wiring) 1 R 1,500 R 1,500
Electrical Work & DB Board Modifications 1 R 1,800 R 1,800
Smart Meter Installation & Configuration 1 R 750 R 750
CCTV Camera Installation & WiFi Network Setup 1 R 520 R 520
WiFi Router Configuration & Network Integration 1 R 350 R 350
System Commissioning & User Training 1 R 850 R 850
Installation & Labor Subtotal: R 7,020

Professional Services

Item Description Qty Unit Price Total
Electrical Design & Single-Line Diagram 1 R 1,000 R 1,000
Certificate of Compliance (CoC) 1 R 750 R 750
Documentation & User Manuals 1 R 380 R 380
Professional Services Subtotal: R 2,130

Investment Summary

Major Equipment (CAPEX): R 26,850
Support Equipment & Monitoring: R 7,385
Installation & Labor: R 7,020
Professional Services: R 2,130
Subtotal (excl VAT): R 43,385
VAT (15%): R 6,508
GRAND TOTAL (incl VAT): R 49,893
Budget Variance: +R 107 (0.2% under R50,000 budget) ✓