Vigilant: Next Generation Battery Monitoring System
The ground-breaking Vigilant Battery Monitoring System (BMS) with Advanced Multi-Function (AMF) sensors employs several new battery parameters to predict battery condition. Included in these critical parameters are Battery Cell Condition, Battery State of Health, and Battery (at) Risk Factor. These new features are made possible by machine learning algorithms built into the Vigilant.
The following key battery parameters are monitored and recorded by the Vigilant: string voltage, float current, cell voltage, cell resistance, terminal & connection resistance, cell & ambient temperature, dc ground fault, and electrolyte level.
Web-Based, Remote Battery Monitoring
- A key advantage of the Vigilant is how it processes measurement data
- Rather than simply read and display measured parameters, the Vigilant also uses Artificial Intelligence to calculate the SoH of the battery
- Measurement data and analysis is done via a built-in web-server, which can be accessed with any browser
- The web-based software eliminates the need for a standalone software package and is viewable on a desktop or mobile environment
Predicting Battery Condition
The Vigilant utilizes several technologies new to the battery monitoring industry to predict battery failure:
- Battery Cell Condition: Using machine learning algorithms to accurately calculate deterioration much earlier than current Ohmic testing methods
- Battery State of Health: Algorithms encompassing 12 key parameters to estimate the health of the battery as a whole. It includes measured changes in internal & external factors and in all parameters that could identify a potential reduction in anticipated battery life
- Battery Risk Factor (RF): Employing individual cell SoH along with temperature and ripple current to better predict risk of battery failures
- True Float Current: Vigilant’s Advanced Multi-Function (AMF) sensors measure true float current without the remanence and temperature problems of Hall-effect transducers
Battery Monitoring for NERC Compliance
The Vigilant-NERC system is Eagle Eye’s complete battery monitoring solution for NERC PRC-005-6 Compliance. This standard requires utilities to document and implement programs for the maintenance of all protection systems affecting the reliability of the bulk electric system (BES).
Under NERC PRC-005-6, battery maintenance falls under Tables 1-4(f) “Exclusions for Protection System Station DC Supply Monitoring Devices and Systems” with no maximum maintenance interval. This table outlines the monitoring and alarming requirements needed to alleviate periodic on-site maintenance activities.
Monitoring for NERC Compliance
The attributes in Table 1-4(f) call out monitoring and alarming of the key battery parameters listed below. The Vigilant complies in monitoring all of these parameters:
- String Voltage: Provides high and low monitoring and alarming of string voltage at the battery positive & negative terminals.
- Electrolyte Level: Provides alarming and identification of low electrolyte level for every cell with infrared ELM sensors.
- Ground Fault: Provides monitoring and alarming for unintentional DC ground fault by measuring earth potential relative to battery voltage.
- Float Voltage: Provides monitoring and alarming of float voltage at the battery positive & negative terminals to ensure correct float voltage is being applied.
- String Continuity: Monitors the precise float current in the battery by accurately measuring the potential difference across the cell interconnections, enabling reliable detection if the battery has a continuity fault.
- Intercell and Terminal Connection Resistance: Provides monitoring and alarming of battery terminal resistance and each intercell connection resistance as independent values.
- Internal Ohmic Value & Float Current: Provides monitoring and alarming of each cell’s internal resistance against an established baseline.
Reporting for NERC
The key element to meeting NERC compliance for battery monitoring is have access to detailed reports that prove compliance to the standard. The Vigilant provides one-click NERC reporting to make this step as easy as possible and remove the guesswork of what needs to be included. Using the built-in web-server, the Vigilant can generate a detailed PDF report.