Network Congestion: My Network Is Full,
What Works?
Grid congestion means that the power grid at a particular location can no longer transmit additional power. Businesses notice this because they are unable to expand, cannot have solar panels or charging stations connected, or have to wait a long time for a connection.
Does this sound familiar to you?
- You want to expand, but there is no additional connection capacity available.
- You want to feed electricity back into the grid from solar panels or a battery, but the grid can't handle it.
- You want to install charging stations, but you don't have the capacity.
Then you'll run into network congestion. Waiting isn't your only option.
Understanding the Problem
What is network congestion in a business context?
Grid congestion means that, at a specific time and in a specific location, the grid does not have enough capacity to transmit all the electricity being drawn. Causes include charging stations, heat pumps, battery storage, and the electrification of manufacturing. Expanding the grid takes years. As a result, new high-demand connections may be placed on a waiting list, and existing connections may be temporarily restricted.
The problem can go both ways: not enough capacity to draw power, or to feed power back into the grid. The cause lies in the grid, not in your system.
From Challenge to Solution
Solutions for Grid Congestion
You can't exactly expand it yourself, but you can make smarter use of the capacity you have. Covolt combines two approaches.
Power Control: Make Better Use of What You Have
Power Control manages consumption and generation based on the available capacity. For example, charging stations charge when there is grid capacity available, and processes do not peak simultaneously. This allows you to stay within your connection limit while still being able to grow.
Congestion Management: Leveraging Flexibility for the Grid
Covolt is a certified Congestion Service Provider (CSP). We aggregate flexible capacity from batteries and solar farms and offer it to grid operators to alleviate congestion. On behalf of our customers, we negotiate and manage contracts with the grid operators.
What are the potential benefits?
Making Better Use of Your Capacity
A More Concrete Expansion Plan
Targeted Use of Flexibility
Recognition in Your Industry
Here's what it looks like in your industry
Logistics & EVs
Multiple charging points and machines connected to a single outlet. By managing available grid capacity, charging prevents the rest of the site from being restricted.
Agricultural
A lot of solar power at times when the grid is at capacity. Flexible management and smart storage help better align generation with consumption.
Retail
Stores and locations with charging stations and electrification on a limited connection. Focusing on power keeps the store running.
