“We want 20 charging points but our main connection is too small” — one of the most frequently asked questions during site surveys. The good news: in most cases, a grid upgrade can be avoided. Four technical solutions.

Solution 1: dynamic load balancing

The main connection is continuously monitored. When the building draws a lot of power (HVAC, production, office lighting), the charging capacity automatically decreases. At night or during weekends, when the building’s consumption is low, full power is directed to the charging stations. No extra capacity is required, just a smart distribution of what is available.

Solution 2: peak shaving with a battery

A stationary battery (50–250 kWh) buffers energy when it is cheap and supplies it during peak moments. This is particularly interesting in combination with capacity tariffs — you do not just purchase the battery for charging, but to lower your peak power demand. Investment: 20,000–80,000 euros, with a typical payback period of 4–7 years depending on the peak profile.

Solution 3: integration with solar panels

A PV installation on the roof provides power during the day when the vehicles are parked. The charging station uses priority logic: charging occurs first using solar energy, and only then using grid power. This reduces both grid load and energy costs simultaneously.

Solution 4: phased rollout with load profiling

Instead of installing 20 charging points immediately, you install 8 with monitoring. After 3 months, you will know exactly what simultaneous charging capacity is required. It often turns out that 60–70% of the theoretical peak power is sufficient — making a grid upgrade unnecessary.

When a grid upgrade is necessary after all

If all these solutions prove insufficient (typically with >50 charging points + DC fast charger + heavy industrial consumption), a grid upgrade is inevitable. Expect a lead time of 6–9 months and a cost of €20,000–€150,000 depending on the connection. Plan for this as a critical path.

See also

Would you like to know if your existing connection is sufficient? Request a site survey — we will measure your consumption profile for 14 days and provide concrete advice without sales pressure.