Connecting on-site hardware to external optimizers
Flemish engineering firm SmartSave installed the Teleport Gateway local controller at a municipal sports facility to support its current business case. By connecting a BESS to an external energy optimizer, the facility can generate new revenue streams, scale its infrastructure (e.g., add EV chargers) without exceeding grid limits, and keep the site free to choose the best optimization partner without replacing hardware.
SmartSave, a Flemish engineering company, designs and installs industrial battery energy storage systems (BESS) for commercial and public sector applications. They analyze energy consumption and market dynamics to deliver tailored, automated battery setups for small medium enterprises (SMEs)SMEs are in Dutch referred to as middel kleine bedrijven (MKBs). In Flemish, the term kleine en middelgrote ondernemingen (KMO) is used..
On a recent project at a municipality sports facility, SmartSave needed a steerable hardware setup on-site that could connect the new EV chargers and make them available for energy optimization. They chose to implement Withthegrid’s local controller, the Teleport Gateway, to leverage its extensive asset library.
Combining a steerable hardware setup and energy optimizer
Public and commercial sites often have large grid connections that remain underused outside peak hours. The sports facility wanted to put that connection to work, both to lower its energy costs and to support the plan to add EV chargers on site.
To bring this strategy to life, SmartSave had specific technical requirements:
- Vendor independence: The site needed the flexibility to select and change energy trading or optimization partners over time without replacing hardware.
- Hardware compatibility: The solution required integration with a HITE BESS and the ability to accommodate future additions under one API.
- Reliable control: Setpoints from an optimizer needed to run through an on-site gateway capable of keeping operations safe and reliable.
Optimizing an existing grid connection
With the Teleport Gateway acting as the local controller, the existing grid connection becomes something the facility can build on:
- Faster asset integration: new hardware connects quickly using Withthegrid’s library of asset protocols, avoiding long custom integration projects.
- Room to grow: the site can add EV chargers, buildings, or equipment without exceeding physical grid connection limits.
- Option to switch partners: energy trading partners or software optimizers can change at any time while the same gateway stays on-site.
- Additional revenue streams: external trading partners can send dispatch setpoints to the battery and act on market price differences.
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