question

Hi Alan,

The CEC does not give approval time estimates.

Multiplus-II 5k is currently going through approvals process all over the world as a priority for Victron.

Ok thanks guy, many have been eagerly waiting for this.

It has been approved by CEC.

As of 12th May 2022 the CEC list SAA181339 approval. Victron certificates page shows SAA181339 certified under 4777:2015 for MPII.

I understand testing is occurring under 4777:2020 using the clause in Appendix M, being no export.

No export is actually brilliant, as I am now invoiced a congestion fee with export by Lines company. Per phase metering in NZ and Chez Republic penalises renewables at point of production in all 2 and 3 phase systems. You get invoiced for import at full rate on one phase, while exporting on another phase (symmetric production across all phases) at sub 10 cents on another phase that is now invoiced under a congestion penalty fee. Australia and rest of planet Net Metered cancels import with export.

If client wants export, place a GT 4777:2020 (agnostic) compliant inverter on the grid side, install the ET112 with RS485 to USB (or similar ET/EM 1 or 3 phase) for the Victron to grid zero and charge from excess production. (Adding some DC MPPT is highly recommended).

Want a system that uses your investment to full potential? Live in NZ or Chez Republic? Compatible GT inverter set to mini grid on AC out side, with a mix or all DC MPPT and help assist the Lines mandate to reduce coal/diesel under COP26 and not get invoiced a congestion fee.

Victron under country code is an on-line UPS in this mode with-out the need to install additional sub-board with change over contacts/relays (that fail) for back up circuits.

Most of you reading this know all of this, we are all waiting anxiously for 4777:2020 certificate...

@Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager)

Hi Guy, can you please comment on the status of efforts to certify the Multiplus II 48/5000 against AS/NZ 4777:2020. We are all keen to see the MPII being approved for grid connected systems here in Australia. Thanks.

@Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager)

Hi Guy, is there any update on this approval for grid connection?
as per AS/NZ 4777:2020

Please see response back from the CEC to Victron in relation to their application for grid connect :

AS/NZS 4777.2:2020 was written/developed with a new clause/Appendix for stand-alone inverters that can connect to the grid and draw power from the grid and but not export.

The CEC listing offers 2 options for:

• Stand-alone inverter with grid input
• Stand-alone inverter with generator input

To qualify for the Stand-alone inverter with grid input – the inverter needs to be certified to AS/NZS 4777.2:2020 Appendix M which was specifically written for stand alone inverter with ac grid input. Otherwise if the inverter has not been certified to AS/NZS 4777.2:2020 Appendix M, then the inverter is approved as stand-alone inverter with generator input, in which the AC input port should only be connected to a generator and not the grid.

Manufacturers are allowed to choose which of the 2 categories they would like the inverter to be approved as long as the correct certification documents are submitted during the application process.

If Victron does not wish to have the stand-alone inverters certified to AS/NZS 4777.2:2020, Victron can select the Stand-alone inverter with generator input - this will require an appropriate statement advising that for AU market for fixed household energy storage installations, the AC input port cannot be connected to the grid and only to an generator.

Please note that in Australia, the compliance of inverters to AS/NZS 4777.2:2020 is monitored by the CEC with our product compliance and testing program, Grid Operators that the inverters connect to, AEMO - the Australia Energy Market Operator, and Electrical Safety Regulators (who have inspectors to carry out site inspections).

Kind Regards,

An additional comment from my local Victron distributor is: "Victron is not tested to AS4777.2.2020 Appendix M and it is highly unlikely that they will be."

Conclusion is that Victron have made a marketing decision to not compete in the Australian Grid Tied ESS market.

Update: 07 August 2023 - I have just heard from Chris Soumbassis: "We received confirmation last week from Matthijs that we are awaiting the SAA certification to submit to the CEC. This could take up to 4 weeks."

So, fingers crossed!

I have been waiting on this myself so reached out to CEC earlier this week and I got the following response.

Hello Paul,

Thank you for your enquiry.

The Victron MultiPlus-II 48/5000/70-50 application is not for either of the categories you mentioned, it is for the category Stand Alone Inverter With Generator Input Battery Only. This category does not reflect suitability for interaction with the grid.

I am not able to discuss specifics of the application with you such as timelines, or details of the assessment. All I can advise is that we are currently awaiting a response from Victron.

Victron is aware of the current details, and could provide further information if they chose to, however timelines cannot be guaranteed.

My original correspondence below to CEC

Dear Certification Team,

I am currently designing an ESS with the use of Victron inverters and am currently waiting for the formal addition of the Victron MultiPlus-II 48/5000/70-50 to the approved inverters list.

I understand that back in August; Victron submitted approval certificate SAA181339 showing compliance to IEC 62109-1, IEC62109-2, AS 62477.1:2016 and AS/NZS 4777.2:2020 Inc A1

Are you able to provide any advice of when the approval is expected to be complete and the the inclusion of this inverter on the list ? Additionally, are you able to confirm if the submission was for Multiple Mode - Battery Only or Standalone Inverter with Grid Input - Battery Only ?

Can someone from Victron confirm this as it sounds like it is not going to be grid interactive

Update: For those that are not aware yet, the MP2 3000 and 5000 are now Certified for grid connect as per CEC website. The SAA cert was updated 30/10/2023 to include the 5000 for Battery only (not Generator). See SAA181339

Have we got any update on this? I now see Vector is listing the MultiPlus II 48/3000 and the 48/5000 as supported inverters to be used on the AKL network as of OCT 23.

https://www.vector.co.nz/kentico_content/assets/9159bf62-628d-423c-a233-db0c2844fa9f/Vector_Approved_Inverters_Oct2023.pdf

Am I correct in assuming that the Multiplus II now has CEC approval in Australia for the gridcode : 4777.2:2020 Appendix M ???

I assume this due to the note in the firmware changelog for Multiplus II Vs 510 that states >>

• Enabled the appendix M. gridcodes of AS/NZS4777 for standard Multis/Quattros.

Is there any news on whether Victron have applied for CEC certification for the Multiplus II being grid connected?

Checking https://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/industry/products/inverters/approved-inverters

It is not there yet :(

This is very disappointing, I was looking for a battery system for my house that did not require proprietary batteries and the Victron units were looking good.

Could they be used if one of these was installed? https://www.ausgrid.com.au/-/media/Documents/Technical-Documentation/NS/NS194/Amendments/Approved-Relay-List.pdf