How TON now runs on more than 75% of its own renewable power

TON, a European furniture maker known for its sustainably sourced beechwood designs, now generates more than 75% of its electricity from onsite renewables, working with Wattstor to manage solar and battery storage.

Project snapshot

A furniture maker built on craft and sustainability

TON is known for meticulously crafted furniture, built from sustainably sourced European beechwood, and for pairing that heritage with a genuinely forward-thinking approach to sustainability. It’s not a company that talks about going green so much as one that quietly gets on with it.

That mindset extended to energy. TON had already installed solar PV panels on site, generating clean power for its production. The question was how to make that power actually count, rather than watching much of it slip away unused while the business kept paying volatile market rates for the rest.

Turning solar generation into real energy savings

TON wanted to make far better use of the solar energy it was already producing, cut its energy costs, and reduce its exposure to a marketthat had become increasingly unpredictable. Crucially, it wanted all of this without adding complexity or extra work for its own team.

Battery storage and smart energy management, working together

We designed and installed a 1 MW / 2 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), connected directly to TON’s existing solar array and grid connection. In practice, that means the solar power TON generates during the day doesn’t just get used in the moment. It gets captured, held, and released exactly when the site needs it most.

Running alongside the battery is Podium, our energy management system (EMS). Podium keeps the whole set-up working efficiently around the clock, with no manual intervention required. For TON, that means the system looks after itself, freeing the team from having to think about it day to day.

Podium, our energy management system (EMS), controls the BESS automatically, keeping the whole set-up working efficiently around the clock with no manual intervention required. For TON, that means the system looks after itself, freeing the team from having to think about it day to day.

Seven months, delivered in close partnership

We delivered the project in seven months, working closely with TON’s own team throughout. Our in-house team of software specialists tailored Podium specifically to TON’s operations, and that relationship hasn’t stopped at commissioning. The two teams continue to refine the system together as TON’s needs evolve.

Delivery:

• Design and installation of a 1 MW / 2 MWh battery energy storage system
• Integration with TON’s existing solar PV array and grid connection
• Deployment and customisation of the Podium EMS software
• Ongoing collaboration with TON’s team to refine system performance
• Support and consultancy throughout the project

The result: over 75% energy self-sufficiency

TON now covers more than 75% of its electricity needs from its own renewable resources, a significant shift for a manufacturer that was previously far more reliant on the grid. The combination of solar generation and battery storage also means TON can flex its consumption around market prices, drawing on stored energy when grid prices are high rather than paying for it at peak rates.

The result is a site that is more self-sufficient, less exposed to price swings, and running at a lower cost than before, even through periods of significant energy market volatility.

Outcome:

• More than 75% of electricity now comes from TON’s own renewable sources
• Greater flexibility to manage consumption around market prices
• Reduced reliance on the grid during high-price periods
• Lower energy costs
• Improved stability during periods of energy price volatility

What TON’s Facility Manager says

“Thanks to the smart solution from Wattstor, TON now uses more than 75% of its electricity from its own renewable sources,” said Dominik Růžička, Facility Manager at TON. “We are especially happy with their proactive approach and ability to think further into the future and develop solutions suitable for next steps. Another huge benefit for us was their software team, which was able to customise Podium to our needs.”

Ready to make more of your own renewable energy?

If you’re looking to make better use of onsite renewable generation and reduce your exposure to volatile energy prices, get in touch with our team today.