The challenge
One of our customers operates a California EV charging site with a microgrid. They have on-site Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), including a solar array and 500 kWh battery to reduce operating costs and decrease dependency on the utility grid.
Flipturn integrates with the microgrid, allowing the client to analyze their energy usage and optimize vehicle charging around the lifecycle of the day. The result is a system that strategically draws from solar, battery storage, and the utility grid to power EVs throughout the day. With minimal waste and maximum savings, it's another step forward in unlocking the future of EV fleets.
How it works
Morning: Solar charges on-site battery
The source of power for charging EVs and the power input/output for the on-site battery vary throughout the day. In the morning, when fewer vehicles are charging and solar power is plentiful, solar power is used to charge the on-site battery up for the day. A combination of solar and battery takes care of some morning EV charging.
Afternoon: Tapping the grid
In the afternoon, before electricity gets too expensive, the solar, battery, and utility power sources combine to charge the EV fleet. The utility grid is used to supplement solar output for charging EVs, but only until 4pm, when higher utility rates begin.
Evening: Peak charging demand
The evening is the highest demand for EV charging, as vehicles are coming back from their routes—but it's also the most expensive time for the utility grid. Flipturn's intelligent energy management system uses the last remaining solar power and supplements the rest from the battery. As a result, we avoid using the utility power during the peak time, saving a lot of money while still enabling vehicles to charge quickly.
Night shift: Back to battery
After 9pm, utility rates fall once again. However, the battery has enough energy stored to finish charging the fleet without needing to tap into the utility grid.
The results
- Minimized electricity costs during peak hours (4-9 PM) by utilizing stored solar energy instead of expensive grid power, saving thousands per month
- Over 99.99% reliability of power management, and no unnecessary power usage spikes
- Over 80% of daily charging needs met through solar and battery combination during optimal periods
- 100% fleet readiness achieved each morning despite varying energy costs throughout the day
- Zero charging delays due to energy availability constraints
- Reduced strain on local grid infrastructure during high-demand periods
- Over 99.99% platform reliability
Why it matters
Flipturn's intelligent energy management used in coordination with a microgrid and DERs are a blueprint for a sustainable, self-optimizing fleet depot. Flipturn makes complex energy orchestration simple, helping fleets lead the charge toward a resilient, low-carbon future.
