Part Two of a Two-Part Series
At 1Energy Systems, our task-oriented operating manual for energy storage software provides a “Dr. Spock’s” guide that helps system operators come up to speed quickly and get the most out of a newly-deployed grid energy storage system (ESS).
In yesterday’s post, I described challenges in designing effective documentation for new technology and advocated for organizing around professional roles and tasks, using the 1Energy Intelligent Controller™ (1E-IC™) Operating Manual as an example for how it’s done. In today’s post, examples from 1Energy manuals show what it means to connect the task at hand to the right tool for the job and deliver technical documentation that flattens out the learning curve, enabling utilities to derive full value from their large scale energy storage.
What Is the Relationship Between Task and Tool?
A useful operating manual makes the connection between the operator’s world and the relevant product feature, so they know they are in the right place and have the context to make the right settings. For complex operations, a good graphic is often the key.
Figure 1. How Peak Power Limiting Mode Works. (From the 1E-IC Operating Manual)
A table that describes Peak Power Limiting mode’s parameters follows the graphic in the manual, illustrating how parameter settings affect operations. With both conceptual and technical information at hand, operators can see how to use the operating mode to suit their circuit’s needs.
How Do the Parts Work Together?
Documenting control software is one thing. But what about the physical components? What about the batteries, PCSs, transformers, and switches, along with the wiring and cables that hook them together? Utilities want the flexibility to buy best-of-class components in each category, with the freedom to choose among vendors and upgrade when appropriate. In a still-emerging industry, that means connecting components that weren’t necessarily designed as a single product, and that may not even call common elements of the ESS by the same name. Too often, the “operating manual” of a newly-commissioned ESS consists of one or more giant binders crammed with all the individual vendors’ manuals and datasheets, separated by tabs and tied together by not much more than a high-level table of contents. When operators unfamiliar with an ESS get handed that smorgasbord, it’s not surprising that on-the-job learning curves are steep.
Figure 2. DC and AC in the ESS. (From the ESS Operating Manual for a 1Energy-controlled ESS installation.)
The 1Energy Power System Integration team quickly realized that this “collected-works” approach for documenting ESS operations was not enough. When 1Energy acts as system integrator, each ESS deployment includes an Energy Storage System Operating Manual that connects the separate components into a working system. The ESS operating manual provides safety information for the ESS as a whole, an overview of system specifications, and introductions to all the major components and their connections. Operational instructions are provided for tasks that transcend individual components, such as powering up and powering down the ESS. A glossary of technical terms includes comparative tables for those pesky words and phrases that different vendors use to mean different things.
The Best Is Yet to Come
Each time I sit down to write an operating manual, I remind myself to start from the operator’s point of view, then show how to get the job done using the products we sell. That shift in point of view is one of the things that keeps my job interesting. Another is watching our young industry grow while helping push it toward maturity—toward the day when standards are in place, best-of-class products have emerged, and energy storage is running at full speed. Based on past experience, in 20 years’ time we’ll look back, shake our heads, and marvel at how far we’ve come.
To find out more about how 1Energy products can help you get the most out of energy storage today, contact us.
The post Designing ESS Operating Manuals for Utilities – Part Two appeared first on 1Energy Systems.