During the renovation of a vessel traffic control centre, Rijkswaterstaat’s vessel traffic controllers must be able to continue their work around the clock. A temporary traffic control facility has therefore been established to serve as a fully operational control centre throughout the renovation. An innovative application of UPS technology and battery storage ensures that limited grid capacity does not have to be a constraint.

Commissioned by De Groot Installatiegroep, Elektro Internationaal developed and delivered this innovative power supply solution. The challenge was clear: the available grid connection had insufficient capacity to accommodate the anticipated power peaks, while the continuity of this vessel traffic infrastructure had to be guaranteed under all circumstances.

Making smart use of limited grid capacity

A higher-capacity grid connection is not always available. Grid congestion is making this an increasingly common challenge. The energy transition therefore requires not only more renewable generation, but also smarter use of the energy and grid capacity already available.

For Elektro Internationaal, this is a key area of innovation. Drawing on its expertise in power distribution, the panel builder increasingly combines conventional electrical engineering with battery storage, UPS systems, intelligent controls and energy management. These solutions can accommodate power peaks, reduce demand on the electricity grid and improve security of supply. The solution developed for the temporary vessel traffic control facility is a practical example of this approach.

UPS and battery storage for peak shaving

The solution consists of a 10 ft battery container in which a Schneider Electric Galaxy UPS serves both as a backup power supply and as an active peak-shaving system. When power demand exceeds the available capacity of the grid connection, the UPS automatically supplies additional power from the batteries. This allows the traffic control facility to continue operating reliably without upgrading the grid connection.

With this containerised solution, Elektro Internationaal is the first company in the Netherlands to deploy a Schneider Electric Galaxy UPS in this way: both as a backup power supply and as an active component of a smart energy management system. This gives a technology traditionally used primarily for backup power a broader role within the energy system. The UPS helps maintain system availability during an outage and balances demand with available grid capacity during normal operation.

From grid-connected to stand-alone operation

Security of supply was, of course, a key requirement for this project. In the event of a grid outage, the UPS seamlessly takes over the power supply, allowing the installation to continue operating independently of the grid. The main distribution board supplied by Elektro Internationaal brings together the various components of the power supply system. It supplies the UPS and distributes the available power across the facility’s installations, distinguishing between essential and non-essential loads.

The main distribution board incorporates a backup power control system with an HMI, developed in-house by Elektro Internationaal. During an extended grid outage, non-critical loads can be disconnected automatically. This reduces the load on the UPS and preserves battery capacity for the systems required to keep the traffic control facility operational.

Automatic transfer to generator power

For longer grid outages, the installation also allows an external generator to be connected via a Power Lock system. The in-house control system plays an important role here as well. Once a generator is connected and voltage is available, the control system detects this automatically. It then carries out the required switching sequence, allowing the generator to take over the power supply. The batteries can be recharged at the same time. Once sufficient power is available, the previously disconnected non-critical loads can also be reconnected.

The result is a single, integrated power supply system in which the grid connection, battery storage, UPS, main distribution board, control system and optional generator work together.

Power distribution is becoming smarter

The project demonstrates how the role of a panel builder is evolving within the energy transition. Reliable power distribution remains the foundation, while growing opportunities exist to store energy locally, actively manage power flows and make installations less dependent on available grid capacity.

The combination of panel building, power distribution, UPS technology, battery storage and in-house control systems enables Elektro Internationaal to address these challenges as a whole. The approach goes beyond requesting more power from the grid to explore how the available capacity can be used more effectively.

Looking beyond the renovation

Although the battery container was developed for a temporary application, Elektro Internationaal is also looking ahead. With sustainability and circularity in mind, the company is working with the parties involved to explore how the installation could be reused at the permanent, refurbished traffic control facility once the renovation is complete.

This solution addresses today’s challenges of grid congestion and security of supply, while the technology deployed and the expertise gained also open up possibilities for tackling future energy challenges.