Article supplied by FranklinWH
A home energy management system is more than just a battery, according to FranklinWH. It integrates, manages and optimises multiple power sources such as solar, battery storage, the grid, generators, and even EVs. This slashes bills, provides seamless whole-home backup during outages, and supports energy independence.
Key components of a home energy management system
A home energy management system typically includes four core parts:
- Intelligent Management Controller: This acts as the home user’s energy gateway. Its role is to link different power sources and home loads together through dedicated connection ports. The built-in energy management system serves as the core control module.
- Multiple Power Sources: Solar generates electricity, battery storage holds surplus energy, and the grid provides electricity when onsite solar doesn’t cover demand, and generators and EVs (electric vehicles) can offer additional backup.
- Home Loads: Home loads are the appliances and circuits that consume electricity. A home energy management system can distinguish between essential loads, such as refrigerators and lighting, and energy-intensive loads, such as EV chargers, air conditioners, and water heaters.
- Mobile App: The app allows families to monitor their system performance, track electricity usage and savings, adjust settings and stay informed in real-time.
How does it work?
A home energy management system works by monitoring energy flow, optimising how power is used, and automating the management of sources and loads.
- Energy Monitoring: A home energy management system continuously tracks how much energy is generated, stored and used across the home, giving the system the data it needs to make informed decisions.
- Energy Optimisation: Based on real-time data and a home user’s chosen settings, the system decides when to use solar power, charge or discharge the battery, draw from the grid, or adjust the loads it powers. This helps reduce energy waste and actively saves you money.
- Automatic Control: With advanced built-in algorithms, the system automatically switches between power sources and sheds or shifts loads without requiring your input.
The benefits of a home energy management system
A home energy management system transforms how a home produces, stores, and uses power, delivering real, measurable benefits.
- Energy Cost-Saving: An intelligent system helps reduce electricity bills by prioritising self-generated energy, shifting stored power to peak evening hours, scheduling energy-intensive loads for off-peak periods, and reducing reliance on the grid.
- Whole-Home Power Backup: During an outage, the system can keep your entire home powered, helping maintain uninterrupted living.
- Grid Support: A system can export surplus power through feed-in tariffs or join virtual power plant programs, supporting the grid during peak demand windows while also creating extra value for your family.
- Off-grid Living: An intelligent system makes off-grid living possible when paired with sufficient solar and battery storage, with generators and EVs providing additional, optional backup. This gives families peace of mind to maintain reliable power in remote or grid-limited locations.
- Energy Freedom: A home energy management system maximises the use of renewable energy and gives families greater control over their power, helping them reduce grid reliance.
- Convenient Experience: Consolidating the management of power sources and home loads into a single intelligent platform, automating daily energy decisions to allow families to set-and-forget with confidence.
The FranklinWH System: The complete solution
As the first residential energy system certified to data-centre-grade reliability standards, the FranklinWH System sets a new benchmark for what intelligent and reliable home energy management looks like.
- Breakthrough Alternating-Current-Coupled System: Works with all solar inverters, perfect for retrofits and giving families full flexibility for future expansions.
- Large Solar Input: Two solar input channels allow flexible integration of separate rooftop solar systems of up to 15 kW (killowatts) of total solar input, giving home users complete control.
- Robust Battery Storage: The reliable aPower X-02 battery delivers 15 kWh (kilowatt-hours) of capacity and five kW of continuous power with a 200 per cent 10 second surge to cover outage load spikes. Continuous output scales up to 20 kW with a 40 kW 10 second surge with 4 aPowers, and a maximum of 15 aPower batteries can be fitted to any aGate intelligent controller.
- Real-Time Monitoring and Control: The aGate monitors your rates in real-time, seamlessly shifting between solar, storage, and grid power to automatically minimise your electricity bill. Home users can easily track energy supply, use and system performance through the FranklinWH App.
- Engineered Reliability: Australia and New Zealand’s most reliable home energy management solution. Built to meet and exceed multiple stringent certifications with a 12-year, 60 MWh throughput battery warranty, that is an engineered guarantee, not a commercial consideration.
- High Surge Power: When the grid drops, demand spikes. If a home energy management system doesn’t have a strong surge rating, this could mean your backup shorts when you need it most. FranklinWH’s 200 per cent 10 second surge power solves this.
- Essential Loads Prioritisation: The Smart Circuits allow individual load management, prioritising essential circuits to extend backup hours during extended outages.
- Expanded Backup Options: Backup generator and vehicle-to-load integration adds additional layers of backup resiliency.
- Reliable Black Start: Black start automatically restarts solar charging after the battery is drained and the grid is still down.
- Withstand Harsh Environments: With batteries featuring IP67 weatherproof rating, C5 salt spray resistance, and a wide operating temperature range from -20 to 50 degrees Celsius, the system ensures reliable performance even in harsh environments. This is guaranteed through winter with heated thermal blankets covering battery cells, and through summer with our balance of passive and active cooling.
What does this mean for home users
A home energy management system gives families the tools to lower electricity bills, stay powered through outages, and take control of their energy. The FranklinWH System delivers all of this and more. With unmatched reliability, intelligent energy optimisation and whole-home power backup, as well as the flexibility to grow with your needs, the FranklinWH System empowers you to set-and-forget with confidence for true peace of mind.
According to FranklinWH, when it comes to home energy management systems, it’s always best to ‘buy once, and buy right.’
