Edge Middleware for UL1741 SB & CSIP Compliance

Most US utilities and regulators are already mandating or in the process of mandating that all DERs that are deployed in their territory be certified to UL 1741 Supplement B (SB). UL 1741 SB is the standard that ensures that the DERs comply with IEEE1547 requirements. One of the main requirements in UL 1741 SB is compliance to one of the 1547 protocols Modbus, DNP3 or IEEE 2030.5. Further California Rule 21 requires that the DERs also be certified for IEEE 2030.5 CSIP.

ASE / Kalkitech Kalki.IO Edge middleware and Edge Gateway are ideal for DER vendors or Developers looking at complying with UL 1741 SB or CSIP. The middleware supports all UL 1741 SB protocols and multiple integration options from vendor proprietary interfaces to these protocols including JSON, MQTT, REST/API or custom Modbus and more.

Introduction

UL1741 SB, IEEE 1547, CSIP-Aus and CSIP Kalki.IO Middleware and Edge Gateway products for DERs are designed to help DER original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), DER developers and device manufacturers comply with UL 1741 SB, CSIP, CSIP-Aus and IEEE 1547 standards for interconnecting DERs with the electric utility grid. Kalki.Io Edge middleware act as the communication interface between the DER device and the electric utility grid, ensuring that the device is compliant with the technical requirements specified by these standards. Edge gateway middleware comply with interface and interoperability requirements defined in IEEE 1547 and enable devices to communicate on IEEE 2030.5, DNP3.0, and SunSpec. Further it provides additional capabilities to DER OEM’s to support cloud connectivity to AWS, Azure or their own proprietary fleet management clouds as well as help them comply with upcoming cybersecurity certifications as well.

There are three main types of Kalki.IO Middleware products available to meet the requirement. : Kalki.io edge middleware software gateway, embedded gateway hardware modules with kalki.io middleware included and external gateways with kalki.io middleware installed.

Kalki.IO Edge middleware gateway can be integrated within the DER device as a container or a linux native distribution, and interface with device applications over the various interface options provided including REST/API, MQTT, Modbus, SYNC API etc.,

Kalki.IO Edge middleware with embedded gateway module are independend hardware modules, that can be integrated in a DER device to provide the UL 1741 SB functionality.

Kalki.IO edge middleware with external gateways, are separate devices that can be connected to the DER device through communication links over serial or Ethernet. All these options comply with the communication protocols defined in IEEE 2030.5, DNP3.0, and SunSpec, as specified in the interface requirements of IEEE 1547.

By using these middleware gateway products, DER device manufacturers and developers can ensure that their products meet the technical requirements for safe and reliable interconnection with the electric utility grid. This includes compliance with safety and performance requirements, as well as compatibility with the communication protocols specified in the standards.

Overall, middleware gateway products for DER devices play a crucial role in ensuring the safe and reliable integration of DERs into the electric utility grid, and can help manufacturers comply with the relevant standards and regulations.

Solution Components

Hardware

• Embedded Hardware Modules that support IEEE 1547-2018 protocols SunSpec Modbus, IEEE 2030.5 and DNP3 and certified by SunSpec
• External Hardware Gateways that support IEEE 1547-2018 protocols SunSpec Modbus, IEEE 2030.5 and DNP3 and certified by SunSpec
• Flexible Configuration engine that can map any protocol to any other protocol
• API to integrate custom protocols

Software

• Embedded Software Containers that support IEEE 1547-2018 protocols SunSpec Modbus, IEEE 2030.5 and DNP3 and certified by SunSpec
• IEEE 2030.5 Server & Aggregator with support for DNP3, Modbus, IEC 104, MQTT, OPC UA, OCPP
• Remote Device management and Maintenance
• Flexible Configuration engine that can map any protocol to any other protocol
• REST API, MQTT Support, Custom API

Consulting

• Software Engineering and Configuration Services
• Protocol Customization, API implementation and Integration Services
• Conformance tests support and Pre-tests
• Automated Test Environment with Internal test tools

External Gateway Option

Security Features

Software

• Manufacturer specific dedicated PKI trust chain (called TC1) is used for signing ASE/Kalkitech artifacts like software releases and patches
• Ensures all software installable are signed with a distinguished “stage” indicating if it is released for development, QA, staging or production.
• Device administrative interface verifies software signatures at install time
• The signing infrastructure for staging and production release packages is air-gapped in a dedicated and isolated machine.
• Zero Trust Access Control Security

Hardware

• DER Gateway is secured from the ground up including the OS, kernel and applications software, user permissions, firewalls
• TPM & Secure Boot
• All applications run as non-root users with minimal set of privileges (as required by the application)
• Sandboxing of all network-facing applications with absolute minimum privileges. The gateway uses AppArmor to run programs in a confined environment. Even if compromised in a zero-day attack, escalated privileges cannot be gained.

UL 1741 SB Certification

UL 1741SB and IEEE 1547.1 are both technical standards that are related to the interconnection of distributed energy resources (DERs) with the electric utility grid. UL 1741SB is a supplement to UL 1741, which provides certification requirements for inverters, converters, controllers, and other components used in DER systems to ensure that they meet certain safety and performance requirements, and are compatible with the electric utility grid. UL 1741SB provides additional requirements specifically for DER equipment that is designed to provide grid support functions, such as voltage regulation and frequency regulation.

UL 1741SB and IEEE 1547.1 are related in that they both address issues related to the safe and reliable interconnection of DERs with the electric utility grid. Compliance with UL 1741SB is often required by regulators for DER equipment that is designed to provide grid support functions, while compliance with IEEE 1547.1 is typically required for all DER interconnections.

UL 1741 SB (Supplement B) is a supplemental standard that was developed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to address grid support functions for distributed energy resources (DERs). Specifically, UL 1741 SB provides additional testing and evaluation requirements for DER equipment, such as inverters, converters, and controllers, that are designed to provide grid support functions, such as voltage regulation, frequency regulation, and power factor correction. The development of UL 1741 SB was driven by the increasing use of DERs, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy storage systems, to support the electric grid. DERs can provide a range of grid support functions, but these functions must be coordinated with the operation of the utility grid to ensure reliability and safety.

UL 1741 SB provides additional testing and evaluation requirements for DER equipment that is designed to provide grid support functions. These requirements address issues such as communication between the DER equipment and the utility, response time to grid events, and performance during abnormal grid conditions.

The goal of UL 1741 SB is to ensure that DER equipment that is designed to provide grid support functions meets certain safety and performance requirements, and can effectively interact with the utility grid. Compliance with UL 1741 SB is important for DER equipment manufacturers, utilities, and regulators, as it helps to ensure the safety and reliability of the electric grid

Together, UL 1741SB and IEEE 1547.1 help to ensure that DER interconnections meet certain technical requirements and operate safely and reliably. Compliance with both standards is important for manufacturers, installers, utilities, and regulators involved in the deployment of DERs.

Several regulators in the have mandated compliance with UL 1741 SB (Supplement B) for DER equipment that is designed to provide grid support functions including California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (HPUC), New York Public Service Commission (NY PSC), Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (MA DPU),Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB).

ASE2000 Test Set for DER Protocols IEEE2030.5, Modbus, DNP3, IEC 104

IEEE 2030.5 Client Test tool

• Exchange Mode Support
• Simulate up to 10,000 DER Devices with simulated data points in ASE2000 Exchange Mode
• Create Device Certificates
• Traffic reports (External tool)
• Currently under development for PG&E DERMS Testing of up to 10,000 2030.5 Clients

IEEE 2030.5 Server Test tool

• Test IEEE1547/ UL1741 Device Interoperability
• Exchange Mode Support
• Simulate multiple DER Servers
• Accept DER X.509 Certificates
• Switch between client and server mode
• Line monitor to support 2030.5 Traffic in listen mode

Consultancy

• Experts in domain and standards with rich implementation experience​
• Hands-on sessions using simulators and tools during training sessions
• ​Ensuring Compliance with the  specification ​

Implementation

• Design & development of Software & hardware Interface to enable Smart Inverter/ Battery controller/ EV charger for UL 1741/ IEEE1547
• ​Review of Design and ensure interoperable communication
• ​Adapts to customer development and management processes

Testing

• Pre-Certification testing with Quality Logic Test Tool
• Automated Test Environment with Internal test tools
• Conformance tests support
• Technical support in identifying root causes and fixing issues​