Global energy system specialist Victron Energy this week unveiled its latest battery inverter-charger, the MultiPlus-II, which comes with a new-look stylish steel enclosure.
The MultiPlus-II has undergone the largest internal electronics redesign in more than a decade and a lower production cost, which makes the product much more competitive, especially in large-scale energy projects.
Victron is unveiling its first model in the range, the MultiPlus-II 48/3000/35-32 230V from residential batteries to the 129-megawatt-hour Tesla “big battery” in South Australia.
Victron MultiPlus-II inverter-chargers are available through the company’s global distribution network including Australia, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. The MultiPlus-II 48/3000/35-32 230V already complies with the Australian Standard for grid-connected inverters (AS 4777) and is certified in an increasing number of other countries.
Victron Energy BV Managing Director Matthijs Vader said the redesign of its flagship inverter-charger aimed to meet new demands in the market.
“We’ve delivered a better product at a lower price to make MultiPlus-II attractive for large-scale energy storage projects,” he said.
“As well as a new look and a flatter form factor, the MultiPlus-II has redesigned its proven electronics to take advantage of miniaturisation while complying with emerging energy industry standards such as a built-in double-relay to enable ‘anti-islanding’ for safe interaction with energy grids.”
Victron Energy BV is a 43-year-old company based in the Netherlands that has established a global reputation as a manufacturer of robust and reliable components for autonomous power generation and solar systems.
With its MultiPlus, Quattro, and now the new MultiPlus-II inverter-chargers, the company continually innovates to deliver value into the energy storage sector.
The MultiPlus-II is a 48-volt inverter-charger that readily connects with a wide range of energy storage systems, from lead-acid and lithium-based batteries to zinc-bromine flow batteries.
The unit is easier to install than earlier models with AC connections accessible via a single plate on its base. The 18kg MultiPlus-II draws just 11 watts of standby power, less than half that used by the model it supersedes.
As with all Victron inverter-chargers, the MultiPlus-II is a transformer-based system, which can immediately deliver backup power if the grid drops out, including start-up supply for high-demand devices such as air conditioners and freezers.
The MultiPlus-II has optional Internet-enabled remote monitoring, both through a secure Victron portal or authenticated third-party applications. This remote monitoring enables the 24/7 performance logging of connected batteries. The MultiPlus-II 48/3000/35-32 230V costs $1979 in Australia.
Vader said he expected strong demand for the MultiPlus-II range. “In Australia, we cost less than half the price of competing comparably-featured battery inverter-chargers,” he said.
“Victron already has a strong presence in the off-grid market, where robust performance and reliability are at a premium, while the improved feature set, standards compliance and lower production costs position the MultiPlus-II well for grid-connected applications, especially in larger projects, such as distributed energy storage systems that can both supply energy to individual houses and, collectively, deliver energy to the grid as an on-demand ‘virtual generator’.
“This is an emerging market need that Victron is looking to supply globally.”