Workshop power · System design case study
A Victron and Dyness system designed around workshop starting loads, future storage expansion and provision for reconfiguration.
System design by Thomas Howe, founder of Synapse Energy Solutions.
The requirement
The customer needed three-phase power for a workshop, but the available electricity supply was single phase. Thomas designed a battery-based Victron system to provide the required three-phase output.
A dedicated MultiPlus-II from the 5 kVA range charges the battery system from the single-phase supply. Six further 5 kVA MultiPlus-II units form a separate three-phase inverter system, arranged as two units in parallel on each phase.
The six output units have a combined installed inverter rating of 30 kVA across the three phases, with 10 kVA per phase. The charging unit is additional to these six units; its charging output is governed by its charger rating and the system settings.
The kVA figures describe the inverter ratings. Available real power and starting capability also depend on the loads, temperature, battery system and operating settings.
Why two inverters per phase?
The paired arrangement was selected to account for potential workshop start-up loads. The design also considered how the system could be reconfigured if an inverter developed an issue.
The arrangement provides options for restoring operation at reduced capacity after appropriate isolation, reconfiguration and checks by a competent installer. Recovery depends on the fault and the equipment remaining available, with a compatible configuration maintained across all three phases.
The battery system supports workshop demand when it exceeds the power being supplied by the charging unit. How long that can be sustained depends on the loads, battery charge and operating settings. The available charging power and the workshop’s energy use still need to be balanced over time.
Storage and future plans
Four Dyness Powerbox G2 lithium battery modules provide 10.24 kWh each, for a total nominal capacity of 40.96 kWh.
The customer intends to expand the battery storage in a later phase. Further storage can be considered as requirements develop, with the charging arrangements and system configuration reviewed alongside the proposed expansion.
The project demonstrates the value of considering the supply, workshop loads, inverter arrangement and battery capacity together at the design stage.
The designer
Thomas Howe designed this system for the customer. His experience includes complex Victron power systems and training other installers on their use, supported by around 35 years in electrical work and more than 15 years in renewables.
SES provides independent design and consultancy for projects that need a tailored electrical solution, including workshops, constrained supplies and systems combining generation, storage and power conversion.
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