Importing prices into Dynamic ESS with NodeRED

Node-RED
, , ,
42

I’ve finally found a bit of time to have a closer look at this. I’ve updated Venus OS to 3.70~49 and accordingly the latest Node-RED VRM API nodes.

Of course, there was a bit of scope creep as I spent a bit of time on it :rofl: There are a few updates and re-writes:

  • Uses Amber 5-minute pricing intervals.
  • Take advantage of VRM’s support for 15-minute price intervals, transposes latest 5-minute data from Amber to the 15-minute VRM interval.
  • Uses the /v1/prices/current Amber API endpoint to pull the next ~24 hours of data.
  • Manipulates schedule so intervals prior to the current one are populated with tomorrow’s prices, giving VRM accurate prices beyond midnight.

Used Codex a bit for making these changes, which was fun and reasonably accurate/helpful.

I’ve created an updated Gist, which you can download and import.

Let me know how you go! As before, when you import the flow, you’ll need to update the Amber site ID in the HTTP node, and the VRM details in the Dynamic ESS node.

43

Thanks @ndrew . I have been using this flow for a while and it was working perfectly! It now has a validation issue and the message returned is:

installations patch-dynamic-ess-settings : msg.payload : Object

object

success: false

error_code: “validation_error”

errors: object

periodicFullChargeInterval: “periodicFullChargeInterval should be null”

Has anyone come across this before and how do I fix it?

44

I may have fixed it.
Added :
msg.payload.periodicFullChargeInterval = null;
to the Set Dynamic ESS Price node.

msg.payload = {
buyPriceSchedule: JSON.stringify(buyPriceSchedule),
sellPriceSchedule: JSON.stringify(sellPriceSchedule)
};

// ADD THIS LINE:
msg.payload.periodicFullChargeInterval = null;

msg.timezone = TZ;
return msg;

So far it seems to be working.

Thanks Chat GPT!

45

I’m very sorry not to have noticed this last bit of the thread sooner – great work @josh1 getting that sorted. I’ve updated the Gist :slight_smile:

46

Hi @Yachtbird Hi @ndrew Sorry to revive and spam this thread. Are either of you in the Sydney metro area (or NSW)? I’m looking to install a grid-tied Victron ESS and I’m struggling to find an installer here. Any chance you could share who installed your system or suggest anyone? I tried the recommended dealers list on the Victron site, but when I contact them and mention “grid-tied” I don’t get a response.

47

@qwerty Hi Adam, sorry for the delay in answering this but I haven’t been active on this forum lately. I am in Sydney but I have 2 sons who have electrical contractors licenses so I had plenty of advice and help in installation according to AS3000. They don’t do this work for their normal job however. I know it would be difficult to have someone come in and install the Victron product because it doesn’t natively interface to the Amber electric wholesale provider so it probably isn’t in much demand. I guess that means not too many want to go to the trouble of learning the Victron system as not many people would want it. With the amount of deals being done for fully integrated solar, battery and inverter systems that can be controlled by the Amber AI system, I’m afraid Victron is only used by enthusiasts as the other systems are just so clever and integrated with the wholesale provider.

I know this doesn’t help so sorry about that.

48

Hey Trevor, no worries thanks for replying. I finally managed to find an installer and hopefully will have my ESS running soon. You’re right, Victron is not really competing in the on-grid suburban battery market which is why it took me a while to find someone.