Fornet De Pijp
A dry cleaner with 3×180A of machines on a 3×63A grid connection — capacity control being built, instead of a heavier connection.
The machine park of this Amsterdam dry cleaner adds up to about 3×180A, nearly three times what the 3×63A grid connection supplies. Because of grid congestion, applying for a heavier connection is not a realistic route: the grid is full and the grid operator's waiting list runs into years. Instead, the Homer EMS (energy management system) is being set up here to direct the machines: whichever needs power reports in, the system grants room in turn and ensures total draw stays within the connection. The shop itself won't notice a thing: work simply carries on — without a heavier grid connection.
- Can I connect more machines than my grid connection supplies?
- Often, yes. In practice almost nothing runs at full power all at once. An energy management system (EMS) guards the connection, flattens the peak load and keeps total draw within the contracted capacity. At Fornet De Pijp in Amsterdam, a machine park of about 3×180A is managed within a 3×63A connection this way.
- What is grid congestion?
- Grid congestion means the power grid cannot supply the requested capacity. In many regions, applying for a heavier connection puts you on the grid operator’s waiting list — often for years. Capacity control is the alternative: staying within the existing connection by spreading peaks instead of upgrading the grid.
- What does capacity control cost compared to a heavier connection?
- A heavier connection means waiting for the grid operator and then paying structurally higher fixed charges for capacity that sits unused most of the day. Capacity control is a one-off installation within the existing connection. What that means in a concrete situation depends on the machine park — that is a conversation, not a price list.
- Does Homer EMS work without internet?
- Yes. Homer EMS is local-first: the controls run on dedicated hardware on site and do not depend on a cloud. Data stays in-house — privacy-first.
- Can I buy Homer EMS?
- Homer EMS is in active development and available for custom and pilot projects, not as an off-the-shelf product.
Is your business running into the limits of its grid connection?