KOSTAL Activation Code for Enabling Multi Device Control (MDC)

KOSTAL Activation Code for Enabling Multi Device Control (MDC)

What is Multi Device Control?

Multi Device Control (MDC) enables the central monitoring and control of up to three PLENTICORE G3 inverters with battery storage systems within a single installation for the first time. A PLENTICORE G3 acts as the MDC host and centrally controls up to two additional compatible inverters (MDC clients). This allows the charging and discharging capacity of your system to be increased. The MDC host coordinates feed-in management and self-consumption, ensuring maximum system efficiency with simple configuration. With the new Multi Device Control (MDC) for the PLENTICORE G3, complex PV projects with challenging roof layouts or high storage requirements can now be implemented more easily and efficiently than ever before.

Where MDC makes the difference

The "three-roof scenario": With three PLENTICORE inverters including batteries connected in an MDC network, up to six PV inputs can be implemented. This makes it possible to utilise all roof orientations for solar power generation. Instead of complex wiring configurations, you can use three PLENTICORE G3 inverters in an MDC network. One host controls the entire system, while the clients efficiently feed in the energy generated by the various roof areas.

Maximum energy independence for energy-intensive projects: For customers with high-power loads, high night-time consumption or heat pumps, one battery is often not enough. With MDC and the corresponding extension, you can combine three inverters, each with one battery, into an XL battery storage system. At the same time, the host ensures that all batteries operate synchronously.

Sector coupling with dynamic tariffs: MDC prepares the system for the energy world of tomorrow. Thanks to the central control provided by the host, dynamic electricity tariffs can be optimally utilised to charge the batteries within the network cost-effectively.

Product highlights of KOSTAL Multi Device Control (MDC):

• Central intelligence: A PLENTICORE G3 acts as the MDC host, controlling and monitoring all compatible devices in the household network.
• Efficient commissioning: Devices can be integrated easily and directly via the Device Manager in the MDC host's web server.
• Flexible battery management: One battery is controlled as standard; with an extension, up to three batteries can be managed within the network.
• Additional MDC-compatible devices: Up to five devices, such as inverters, energy meters or Shelly products, can be connected within the system network.
• Optimised storage strategy: The system intelligently balances charging and discharging power to maintain an even state of charge across all battery storage systems.
• Future-proof & compliant: The MDC host forwards control signals for power curtailment to all clients and supports dynamic electricity tariffs.
• Everything at a glance: The power flow diagram of the entire system can be clearly displayed on the MDC host's display or web server.

How can the activation code be entered into the KOSTAL product?

A user account in the KOSTAL Solar Terminal is required to use KOSTAL activation codes. Product extensions activated using an activation code modify device parameters that may affect the installation. For this reason, only installers are authorised to redeem activation codes for product extensions.

Via the KOSTAL Solar App in PRO mode:
Enter the activation code in the Setup Wizard during initial commissioning.

Via the device display:
Enter the activation code manually on the device display under "Additional options".

Via the web server:
Enter the activation code manually in the web server under "Settings > Additional options > Options".

Please refer to the data sheet for further information.

FAQ on battery control with Multi Device Control

Which devices are specifically approved as MDC hosts?

Only inverters from the PLENTICORE G3 series are approved as MDC hosts, including the PLENTICORE G3, PLENTICORE MP G3 and PLENTICORE BI G3 models. Operation requires at least software version 3.06.10 and mandatory configuration as an MDC host during initial setup. In addition, an approved energy meter (KEM or KSEM) must be connected via the RS485 interface. If a battery is present in the system, it must be connected to the MDC host if it has the largest usable capacity. Earlier device generations (such as PLENTICORE plus / G2, PLENTICORE BI / G2 or the PIKO series) are not approved as either MDC hosts or clients.

Which devices are specifically approved as MDC clients?

The models currently approved as MDC clients are the PLENTICORE G3, PLENTICORE MP G3, PLENTICORE BI G3, PIKO CI, Shelly products of generations 2 and 3, the KOSTAL Smart Energy Meter (KSEM) and TQ energy meters (MU103 / SU100 / EM4xx). These can be integrated both with and without a battery. For the control function to work, at least software version 3.06.10 is required on all participating devices (hosts and clients). An MDC network consists of a maximum of one host and several clients. Configuration as a client can be carried out either during initial commissioning or subsequently via the "Change operating mode" menu. Earlier models such as PLENTICORE plus / G2, PLENTICORE BI / G2 or the PIKO series are not approved for MDC and can only be managed using conventional KSEM control. Parallel control via MDC and KSEM is not permitted.

What are the advantages of MDC compared to KSEM control?

The use of Multi Device Control (MDC) offers significant advantages over conventional KSEM control for battery storage systems and regulatory requirements. The main advantage is the control of up to three devices with connected batteries (provided that the product extension is active on the host), whereas KSEM supports only a single battery device. MDC also enables the use of dynamic electricity tariffs and meets modern grid control requirements (§ 14a EnWG / § 9 EEG) via an FNN control box, with the host receiving signals and distributing them to all clients for correct power curtailment.

The system also offers advantages during operation and commissioning: Client inverters can be integrated more easily via the Device Manager in the MDC host's web server, without the need to manually register each inverter in the KSEM as was previously required. A central visualisation of the entire power flow directly on the host's display and web server provides greater clarity. Finally, MDC ensures intelligent charge management: The host uses the energy from all PV inverters in the household network to charge the battery storage systems and automatically performs SoC balancing (State of Charge) between the connected batteries.

What maximum battery capacities are supported within an MDC network?

An MDC system network can include a maximum of three inverters, each with one connected battery – consisting of one MDC host and two MDC clients. To operate more than one battery within the network, the paid product extension "Battery control with MDC" must be activated on the MDC host inverter; without this extension, operation is limited to a single battery connected to the MDC host. The battery with the largest usable capacity must always be connected to the MDC host. The system also supports different storage capacities, with the host dynamically adjusting the charging and discharging power to balance the state of charge (SoC) of all batteries within the network.

How much does the product extension for battery control with MDC cost?

• Battery control with MDC is a paid product extension and can be purchased for one KOSTAL PLENTICOIN.
• It must be purchased and activated on the MDC host inverter if more than one battery (maximum of three) is to be used within the MDC system network.
• Without this extension, only one battery can be connected to and controlled by the MDC host inverter.

How are multiple KOSTAL inverters wired and configured with Multi Device Control?

You can find detailed multilingual installation instructions here.