This article explains how you can use your Emaldo® system for your own needs while you take part in the Guaranteed Grid Rewards programme. It is for system owners and installers.
Guaranteed Grid Rewards programme
Yes. You can use your system for your own needs while you earn Grid Rewards.
When you join the Guaranteed Grid Rewards programme, we offer your battery to grid operators 24/7. Activations are rare, so your system is in Standby mode most of the time.
A grid balancing activation is when your battery is used to help balance the electricity grid. Depending on what the grid needs, your battery either charges or discharges.
Battery capacity (kWh)
In total, 6 kWh of your battery is locked for possible activations. This is in addition to your Emergency reserve and the Battery Protection level. Emaldo® AI controls the rest. It uses this capacity to reduce your daily energy costs and for Peak Shaving, if enabled.
Your battery capacity is divided into these layers, from top to bottom:
| Layer | Capacity | What it is for | Available for daily use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Locked (upper) | 3 kWh | Kept free so your battery can charge from the grid if an activation requires it | No |
| Plenty Energy | Varies | Daily use under Emaldo® AI control | Yes |
| Smart Reserve | Varies | Daily use under Emaldo® AI control | Yes |
| Emergency reserve | Varies | Emergency use only | No |
| Locked (lower) | 3 kWh | Kept charged so your battery can discharge to the grid if an activation requires it; also serves as backup capacity | No |
| Battery Protection | 0–5% | Prevents deep discharge, which could damage the battery cells | No |
Why your battery will not charge to 100%
During an activation, a grid operator may ask your battery to charge or to discharge at short notice. To be ready for both, your battery keeps the upper 3 kWh free and the lower 3 kWh charged. This is why, while you are on the programme, your battery will not normally charge to 100% or discharge below the lower 3 kWh.
Note: Small fluctuations above or below these limits may occur in some circumstances.
Reserve levels
The capacity between the two locked layers is divided into three reserve levels: Plenty Energy, Smart Reserve and Emergency reserve. Plenty Energy and Smart Reserve are available for daily use. The Emergency reserve is kept for emergencies only.
In AI mode, Emaldo® AI sets the three reserve levels automatically. In Scheduled mode, you can change them yourself in the Emaldo® App.
Expansion cabinets
If you have added battery packs and connected an expansion cabinet, the locked capacity stays at 6 kWh. The extra capacity is added to the part that Emaldo® AI controls. This means more energy is available for daily use.
What happens during a power outage
During a power outage, grid balancing cannot take place. The locked capacity is released, and you can use your whole battery except the Battery Protection level.
The lower 3 kWh is always kept charged. So when an outage begins, at least this amount plus your Emergency reserve is available. If you have solar panels, they can charge your battery to full during the outage.
Inverter power
6 kW of inverter power is reserved for grid balancing. The power available for household use depends on your main fuse:
| Main fuse | Inverter power for household use |
|---|---|
| 16 or 20 A | 4.5 kW |
| Above 20 A | 4.8 kW |
The 4.5 kW limit makes sure a 16 or 20 A fuse is not overloaded. In both cases, this typically meets most household needs.
We do not recommend joining the Guaranteed Grid Rewards programme if:
- your home has a 16 or 20 A fuse and regularly needs more than 4.5 kW. There will not be enough spare power to charge the battery effectively.
- you have expansion cabinets, a 16 or 20 A fuse and no solar panels. There will not be enough power left to charge the expansion cabinets.
EV charger
When grid balancing is not active, we do not limit the power available to your EV charger. During an activation, grid balancing has priority and your EV charger stops charging.
When the activation ends, your EV charger starts charging again automatically, as long as the usual charging conditions are met. This depends on your charging mode:
- Scheduled charging: charging resumes if the current time is within your scheduled charging window.
- Smart charging: charging resumes once your price and charging conditions are met.
- Instant charging: charging resumes immediately.