Anker’s latest automatic transfer switch supports whole-home backup during grid outages
It also couples with an existing PV rooftop installation and continues to charge the battery in case of an extended outage
The elimination of external CTs avoids phase-sequence error after the parallel commissioning
Anker SOLIX, a provider of balcony PV and storage solutions, has launched its latest Power Dock Pro series automatic transfer switch and energy gateway, targeting Australian residential prosumers.
Compatible with its X1 Home Storage System, the company says it can deliver whole-home backups rather than a few designated critical loads during a blackout. Each storage unit is equipped with a ‘power module’ (bidirectional inverter) and 3 battery stacks, each of 5 kWh. It boasts a storage capacity of up to 15 kWh with single-phase and 3-phase power outputs of 6 kW and 12 kW, respectively.
According to the company, unlike conventional methods, the product’s inverter ports (63 A each) connect 2 storage units in parallel with a single power cable. This saves up to 50% on wiring costs. In on-grid mode, it can scale up the storage and AC capacity to up to 30 kWh and 12 kW (single-phase) or 24 kW (3-phase), respectively. On the flip side, this parallel system instantly switches to backup mode, supporting the whole-home connected load during grid outages. Without providing technical details, Anker SOLIX states that it eliminates the need for a separate backup switchboard, typically common in conventional systems. The company claims that without a standalone meter, external CTs, and a changeover switch, it can reduce commissioning time by up to 30%. The absence of CTs, which are used to measure and monitor current and voltage and as to synchronize with the grid, mitigates the risk of phase-sequence error after commissioning.
Complementing the whole-home backup, the system features a function that connects with an existing third-party on-grid rooftop PV installation during extended outages. Since the grid goes down, the pre-installed string inverter continues to feed AC power to the 63 A smart port of the latest system, without activating anti-islanding protection. This, in turn, continues to charge the batteries and withstands an extended outage without complete battery drain. However, in the absence of old on-grid PV installations and low battery SoC due to solar generation constraints, the 63 A smart port enables load priority management. This accepts dynamically controllable loads, including pool pumps and resistive hot water systems, among others.
Prosumers can monitor and control these complex operations in real-time by installing the Anker mobile app. It also facilitates the automatic scheduling of electricity dispatch by participating in Australia’s VPP program, including Origin Energy, Amber Electric, and GloBird Energy.
The newly launched product is currently commercially available in Australia through Anker’s authorized distributors.