Large store, small connection: smart energy management during grid congestion
- Veldhoven
- EOS Power Management
- Aggregation Services
Coppelmans Garden Center is a family-owned business with more than 250 employees and 8 locations in Southeast Brabant; it was founded in 1965. The chain is known for its wide selection of garden plants, houseplants, home accessories, pet supplies, and an engaging shopping experience, including its own lunch cafés.
The Veldhoven location opened on September 25, 2025, in a brand-new, sustainable building at Schooterweg 39. The building is equipped with a large-scale solar power system, 560 kWh of battery storage, and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles—all while operating on a limited grid connection.
Grid congestion is the key issue at Coppelmans Veldhoven. The new facility has a compact grid connection of 3x80A, but the store’s total energy demand is substantial: greenhouses, refrigeration, lighting across a large area, a restaurant, and multiple AC charging stations for visitors and employees.
The crux of the challenge: running the entire store operation on this relatively small connection, without peaks that exceed the connection’s capacity and without compromising operations. At the same time, the solar energy generated must be utilized to the fullest—for on-site consumption, for storage in the batteries, and for smart market participation.
Covolt provides an integrated package specifically tailored to the building’s energy challenges:
Power Control Self-Consumption Optimization – Covolt Horizon EMS – Flex Trading:
- Real-time monitoring and control of total power consumption
- Automatic limiting to a maximum of 3x80A grid transfer
- Smart management of batteries and charging stations based on current PV generation, consumption, and available grid capacity
- Prioritizing store operations over loading
- Optimizing PV output and battery usage
- Understanding consumption patterns and seasonal effects
- Periodic reporting on energy performance and internal consumption
- Balance maintenance with respect to the grid operator
- Market optimization of available flexible capacity
With Covolt’s power management system, Coppelmans Veldhoven’s entire store operation runs on a single 3x80A connection without interruptions and without the risk of exceeding grid capacity. The 560 kWh battery storage system acts as an active energy buffer: excess solar power is stored and used when demand peaks or solar production drops.
The AC charging stations are dynamically controlled within the available power budget, ensuring that EV charging never disrupts store operations.
→ Full store operation on a 3x80A grid connection, without restrictions
→ 560 kWh battery storage as an active energy buffer
→ 900 solar panels optimally utilized via EOS & AG
→ Dynamic charging point management fully integrated into power control
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