HOMER Knowledge Base

HOMER Knowledge Base

In HOMER Pro, is there a way to limit the power injected/taken into/from the grid? Also is it possible to prioritize using the battery storage instead of using the grid when the renewable energy is lower than the load, as the system prioritizes the grid o

In HOMER Pro, is there a way to limit the power injected/taken into/from the grid? Also is it possible to prioritize using the battery storage instead of using the grid when the renewable energy is lower than the load, as the system prioritizes the grid over the battery storage and the battery is not used (charged or discharged)? 

Yes, it is possible to limit the instantaneous power purchased from the grid (kW) through the Purchase Capacity in Components > Grid > Real Time Rates or Scheduled Rates. It is also possible to limit the amount of net purchases of energy drawn from the grid in kWh/year with the Maximum Net Grid Purchases function.  
 
HOMER will purchase energy from the grid rather than discharging the battery, because it is the least cost solution at the time. Charging/Discharging the battery has losses associated with it, while purchasing from the grid does not. Defining Rates (in either Real time Rates or Scheduled Rates) can be used to incentivize use of the battery by setting grid prices to vary by hour.