SG-Hub

The Ecosoft SG-Hub is a smart switch with two relays, WiFi, ethernet and other connectors. The Hub is intended to control connected devices to save energy costs. It is suitable for among others heat pumps, hybrid heat pumps, heat pump boilers and PV-systems.

This image shows the possibilities of the SG-Hub. The EV loader is in development.

Possibilities of the SG-Hub

• Receives energy prices every day from the Ecosoft Server with a valid license.
• Connects to the network via a ethernet cable (recommended) or wireless via WiFi.
• Change settings in the SG-HUB web interface.
• Change settings and view power consumption data in the Ecosoft cloud.
• Reads out P1-data from smart meter (not in the UK) via the “P1 IN” connector.
• Forwards P1-signals (not in the UK) to a P1-meter of any brand via the “P1 OUT” connector.
• Reads Shelly EM data (alternative to P1-meter).
• Heat Pump control via EVU-blocking contact (relay 1).
• Heat Pump control via Smart Grid Ready (SG-Ready) (relays 1 and 2).
• PWM control for variable control via a Solid State Relay (SSR).
• 1-wire control and, for example, read-outs of the DS18 temperature sensor.
• Solar inverter control via SunSpec ModBus TCP (ethernet).
• Solar inverter control via SunSpec ModBus RTU (RS-485).
• Control charging and discharging of batteries via inverters supporting SunSpec ModBus.
• Read-out and device control via RS-485.
• I2C-bus for the connection of extensions such as an external relay device or I/O.

How does operating heat pumps and heat pump boilers work?

Every day, the SG-Hub creates a planning with “moments to switch” and takes the following into account:

• Your location (where outside temperature and prices depend on)
• The efficiency of your heat pump at certain outside temperatures
• The electricity prices during 24 hours of a day
• The efficiency of your gas boiler (if present)
• The current gas price
• Your preferences filled out in the energy planner.
• Indoor temperature when a sensor is connected
• Read-out P1 data (not for UK) or from Shelly EM

Prevent feeding back to the grid

For supported inverters, the SG-Hub can (via the ModBus protocol) regulate back or set to zero the solar inverter’s output power if the price falls below a certain value. If the Ecosoft SG-Hub is informed by P1-data (not in the UK) from the smart meter when a PV system is feeding back electricity to the grid, it can switch on the heat pump to utilise the solar energy. Note: For the UK and all other countries, alternatives to P1-data are Shelly EM or data received directly from the inverter about the production of solar energy. Batteries connected to supported solar inverters can be controlled as well.

Anticipate to price peaks

The heat pump can be set to Boost a certain timespan before a price peak to prepare the SG-Hub by building up a heat reserve of a specified duration before the price peak.

Requirements

To benefit from the advantages the Smart Grid Controller has to offer, you will need:

• A smart meter
• A WiFi or ethernet connection
• Time-of-use contract, to benefit from price differences

Which heat pumps are supported?
Find a list of suitable heat pumps here.

Included

• Ecosoft SG-Hub
• Adapter only with the version without PoE
• Software that calculates the plan
• Choose between one or three years of service consisting of:
  1. Energy prices via internet
  2. Updates to the software
  3. Change settings using the cloud
  4. Store energy consumption data in the cloud

The SG-Hub should only be installed by an expert installer.

Specifications

• Product: Ecosoft SG-Hub
• Firmware: Ecosoft (planning software)
• Power IN: DC 5V / 1A
• Number of relays: 2
• Ethernet connection: yes
  Power over Ethernet: depends on the SG-Hub type
• WiFi available: yes
• Heat Pump Control: SG-ready and EVU
• Inverter control: ModBus TCP and ModBus RTU
• Connection to solar inverter via ethernet: yes
• Connection to solar inverter via RS-485: yes
• Read-out DS19B20 temperature sensor: yes
• Read-out RS485 ModBus: yes
• PWM control: yes
• Connection SG-Expander: yes
• Read-out P1-data from smart meter (not in the UK): yes
• Forwarding P1 (not in the UK): yes, signal and power

SG-Expander, extension to the SG-Hub

The SG-Expander (sold separately) is an extension to the SG-Hub. When connected, the SG-Hub will have 6 extra relays for switching purposes and 4 digital inputs to read out and monitor.
 
 

License

The SG-Hub comes with a license for 1 year or 3 years. With this license, the SG-Hub can receive energy prices from the internet, and to be connected to the Ecosoft cloud so you can change settings online and store energy consumption data. The license can be extended.