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News Elvia installs eqGrid in Råde

Better voltage quality
and more capacity in weak distribution grids

Without traditional grid reinforcement

eqGrid helps grid operators and businesses with critical loads increase available capacity, stabilise voltage and reduce the need for grid reinforcement in weak distribution grids.

Technology
  • eqGrid is a hybrid system combining no-break LV-LV tap changing ("LV OLTC") and a battery system.
  • A patented voltage selector changes taps on a standard transformer and handles slow variations.
  • The battery compensates for voltage imbalance, voltage steps and flicker.
  • eqGrid is controlled by energiScada™ and can integrate with the grid operator's SCADA
Capacity
  • Increases available capacity in existing distribution grids
  • Reduces the need for traditional grid reinforcement
  • Protects critical loads with battery support and backup power
  • Keeps voltage quality within EN50160 and the FoL
Request a technical review Open product sheet
Illustration of the standard eqGrid model with battery modules, power electronics, transformers and control
Standard model Illustration of the standard eqGrid model with battery, power electronics, transformer and control.

Architecture for weak grids

eqGrid combines a transformer, a patented no-break voltage selector, a battery system, bypass and local/central control.

Important installation principle

When several eqGrid systems are connected to the same supply, each system must feed separate loads. Parallel operation onto a common downstream load requires engineering design and written approval.

Technical schematic of eqGrid with transformer, patented voltage selector, battery system and bypass for voltage stabilisation
Schematic of eqGrid: input, T1 transformer, voltage selector, battery system, T2 transformer and bypass.
eqGrid as a resilient edge solution with generator, solar, battery, critical loads and local energy management
For local energy management and greater resilience, eqGrid uses generator, solar and battery, and protects critical loads.

energiScada delivers local energy management and central coordination

eqGrid can operate autonomously or together with a higher-level SCADA and energy management system. It supports local optimisation, protection and control of generator, battery, solar and critical loads.

Distributed control

energiScada™ can run locally or integrate with the grid operator's control system. The architecture is built for operational environments that demand robustness, autonomous operation and high availability.

Challenges eqGrid solves

eqGrid is designed for distribution grids where voltage quality and available capacity limit further electrification, local power generation or critical loads.

Low voltage at high load

Reduces high current draw, balances phases and boosts voltage when needed.

High voltage at high generation

Absorbs high generation by charging the battery, balances phases and trims voltage down when needed.

Rapid voltage changes and flicker

Injects current within 20 ms to compensate for rapid changes, reduce grid stress and avoid voltage steps.

Phase imbalance

Increases current draw on the phase with the highest voltage and reduces it on the phase with the lowest voltage.

Limited capacity in the distribution grid

Phase balancing and transformer tap changing can increase available capacity significantly.

Critical loads with high reliability requirements

The system acts as a UPS, limited by battery capacity, and can be supplemented with generator and solar for operation in island mode.

Connecting new loads and local generation

Can be connected even in weak, long radials, as eqGrid expands available capacity through phase balancing and transformer tap changing.

More electrification without more grid capacity

Enables more electrification in existing distribution grids without traditional grid reinforcement.

EN50160 and FoL requirements

Keeps voltage variations, flicker and imbalance within limits without introducing new violations.

News
Elvia's Tommy Olsen and Jan Holth in front of the eqGrid system during commissioning in Råde
Pilot project · Elvia and Enova

Lessons from «eFlow and OLTC» in Elvia's distribution grid

The installation in Elvia's distribution grid in Råde documents improved voltage quality in a demanding 230V IT network, and the unit was commissioned in 2.5 hours in the field.

Read more about the pilot project

Documented pilot results

In weak grids, voltage quality is often the practical limit for further electrification. Early pilot measurements show a clear reduction in rapid voltage variations and improved balance.

Background From R&D and pilots to eqGrid Read about IDE, OLTC, FBI, CIRED and eFlow.

Rapid voltage variations

Reduced from 50–100 per day to under 10 per day.

50–100 <10 Before With eqGrid

Phase imbalance

Voltage is brought within the 2% requirement.

2% limit >2 % <2 % Before With eqGrid

Documentation and external coverage

The technology and background of eqGrid are linked to the Norwegian Smart Grid Centre's IDE programme, Elvia pilots, CIRED 2024 and the eFlow project covered in Europower.

Applications

eqGrid is designed for environments where available capacity, voltage quality and operational continuity matter more than theoretical grid capacity alone.

Weak distribution grids

Increases available capacity and improves voltage quality without full grid reinforcement.

Resilience and critical loads

Supports selected loads during outages or limited grid capacity.

Agriculture and industry

Makes better use of existing supply for motors, machinery and local generation.

Aquaculture

Reduces the need for shore power and cuts diesel use where the grid is weak.

Solar supply and generator

Can form part of hybrid systems with grid, battery, solar and generator.

Grid operators

An operational measure for selected grid sections where reinforcement is slow or costly.

Voltage quality, EN50160 and the FoL

eqGrid is designed for grid sections where voltage level, rapid voltage changes, phase imbalance and flicker limit available capacity or affect critical loads.

Why voltage quality limits capacity

In weak distribution grids, a customer's practical power draw can be limited by voltage drop, voltage steps, imbalance between phases and the requirements of EN50160 and the Norwegian Power Quality Regulations. eqGrid works locally to reduce these constraints before traditional grid reinforcement becomes necessary.

Typical problems eqGrid addresses

  • Voltage level outside the desired range
  • Rapid voltage variations and voltage steps
  • Phase imbalance in three-phase grids
  • Flicker and instability in weak grids
  • Limited hosting capacity for new loads and local generation

Partners and component suppliers

eqGrid builds on its own technology combined with robust components and collaboration with Norwegian grid operators and technology communities.

Product sheet

Technical overview of electrical characteristics, battery system, communication, operating modes and standards.

Technical documentation Open the product sheet Separate static page.

R&D and pilot background

The story behind eqGrid: the IDE programme, OLTC, FBI, CIRED 2024 and eFlow.

Background Open the R&D background page Separate static page.

Contact eqGrid

Get in touch for technical questions, pilot projects or assessment of weak grid sections.

Per Dypvik

Ing. Dypvik AS / Energea / eqGrid

per@energea.no +47 95 11 60 60