Smart Energy Management System Overcomes Grid Limits for Orkan’s Network Expansion

Smart Energy Management System Overcomes Grid Limits for Orkan’s Network Expansion

Scaling Iceland’s EV charging - without scaling grid constraints

BESS
High-Power Charging stations
Peak Shaving
min read

Smart Energy Management System Overcomes Grid Limits for Orkan’s Network Expansion

Smart Energy Management System Overcomes Grid Limits for Orkan’s Network Expansion
Category
BESS
High-Power Charging stations
Peak Shaving
Country
Size

The Challenge

As Iceland accelerates its transition to electric mobility, Orkan is rapidly expanding its nationwide EV charging network.

However, one structural barrier keeps slowing down deployment: limited grid capacity at new and existing sites.

In many locations, the grid cannot support multiple high-power chargers simultaneously. This leads to:

  • Delays in opening new charging stations
  • High costs for grid reinforcement
  • Risk of demand peaks driving up grid fees
  • Potential degradation of the charging experience during peak usage

For Orkan, the challenge goes beyond infrastructure.

It is about scaling fast while maintaining a premium charging experience — and staying aligned with Iceland’s renewable energy ambitions.

The Solution

Toovercome these constraints, Orkan is deploying FLEXECHARGE’s HARMON-E Energy Management System (EMS)- with a strong focus on AI-poweredPeak Shaving.

HARMON-Econtinuously monitors site demand and dynamically distributes available power across chargers in real time. This ensures optimal utilization of the existing grid connection - without exceeding itslimits.

AI-poweredPeak Shaving at the core

Atthe heart of the solution is PeakShaving, which fundamentally changes how grid capacity is used:

  • Instead of limiting instantaneous power (as with traditional peak capping)
  • HARMON-E optimizes average power over the billing interval

Thisallows short-term peaks when needed, while keeping the site within tariff limits

Concretely,the system:

  • Identifies and eliminates rare, costly peak events that drive grid fees
  • Dynamically adjusts charging power to stay within an optimal threshold
  • Balances cost reduction vs. charging performance
  • Enables higher power delivery without triggering demand penalties

Thisapproach allows Orkan to unlockmore usable power from the same grid connection, rather than being constrained by it.

Future-readywith BESS integration

Orkanis also preparing to integrate Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) with HARMON-E.

Thiswill further enhance Peak Shaving by:

  • Covering peak demand without drawing additional grid power
  • Maintaining full charging performance even during high load
  • Storing renewable energy for later use
  • Enabling participation in energy markets

Movingfrom costoptimization → to active energy strategy

Impact& Benefits

1. Lower and predictable grid costs
  • Elimination of extreme demand peaks that define monthly fees
  • Reduced exposure to capacity-based tariffs
  • More stable and forecastable operating costs

2. More power - without grid upgrades
  • Increased utilization of existing grid connections
  • Ability to deploy more chargers per site
  • Faster rollout of new locations without waiting for grid reinforcement

3. Scalable and future-proof infrastructure
  • Foundation for BESS, energy trading, and smart grid participation
  • Adaptability to evolving tariff structures and grid constraints

4. Consistent high-quality charging experience
  • No abrupt power cuts (vs. peak capping)
  • Smooth, optimized charging sessions even during peak demand
  • Higher customer satisfaction and repeat usage

5. Fully aligned with Iceland’s energy vision
  • Optimized use of renewable energy
  • Reduced strain on the grid
  • Sustainable scaling of EV infrastructure nationwide

Bottomline

With AI-powered Peak Shaving and BESS optimization, Orkan turns grid limitations into a strategic advantage- reducing costs, unlocking more usable power, and building a smarter, more flexible energy infrastructure that scales with demand while delivering a premium charging experience.

Features in Use

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Solution & Benefits

Technical Overview

CHARGING HUB

8 x Alpitronic HYC300

MAX CHARGING POWER

2400 kW

GRID CONNECTION

3000 kW

CHARGING LIMIT

1800 kW*

PERFORMANCE PRICE

~45 €/kW

EXPECTED SAVINGS

30.000 € p.a.

Technical Overview

Locations

10

MAX CHARGING POWER

88-400kW per location

GRID CONNECTION

55-160kW per location

SOLAR PANELS

0-120kW per location

7 DC CHARGERS

0-1 per location

58 AC CHARGES

4-24 per location

Technical Overview

Locations

Hotel in Sassenheim

CHARGING STATIONS

10 AC (22 kW) + 3 DC (47 kW)

Energy Management

HARMON-E platform + Grid meter integration

GRID CONNECTIONS

524 kW

MAX CHARGING POWER

360kW

SOLAR CAPACITY

570 kW

“We also have four battery stations and the BMS was unable to control but the FLEXECHARGE gives us a good platform to control all these things and make us future proof for all our expansion in the future”

Guðmundur Ingi Þorsteinsson

Development Manager at Orkan

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