Challenge
The Revadim site is a pioneering project in Israel that combines avocado cultivation with solar energy production (Agro-PV) and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Operating under a Time-of-Use (ToU) tariff, the site’s profitability relies on charging batteries during low-cost hours and discharging during peak-price periods.
As lithium batteries degraded over time, Doral implemented early battery augmentation by adding higher-capacity units from different suppliers. Integrating these systems created operational challenges in balancing batteries with different capacities and charge–discharge profiles while ensuring efficient utilization and aligning discharge cycles with high-tariff windows to maximize revenue.
Contel Smart Energy Role
Contel delivered a full-stack control solution designed to manage the unique complexities of a multi-vendor, augmented energy site. Contel rebuilt the energy management logic to ensure long-term site viability.
The solution included:
- Energy Management System (EMS):Provides smart scheduling and State-of-Charge (SoC) optimization, specifically designed to handle the Time-of-Use (ToU) model and battery health requirements.
- SCADA: Delivers real-time visibility and integration across diverse battery stations, featuring intuitive dashboards for monitoring performance and site-wide alarms.
- Cybersecurity layer: Implements integrated cybersecurity solution to ensure data integrity and protected communication between the site and the grid operator.
- Custom features: Developed Autonomous Station Balancing to automatically recalculate and distribute power setpoints when new batteries are added.
Results
- Revenue Optimization: Eliminated premature discharge cutoffs, ensuring full utilization of high-tariff windows and maximizing ROI.
- Operational Stability: Reduced the need for manual interventions and emergency site visits through automated station balancing.
- Future-Proof Scalability: The site is now ready for further augmentation; new battery additions will integrate seamlessly into the existing control architecture.
- Strategic Independence: Doral gained greater control over its optimization parameters, reducing dependency on proprietary vendor systems.
Conclusion
The Revadim project demonstrates that the future of dual-use energy sites depends on sophisticated, adaptive management. Scaling Agro-PV successfully requires a control architecture capable of harmonizing agricultural needs with evolving battery dynamics and complex grid requirements. By implementing an intelligent orchestration layer, this project proves that renewable energy production and land preservation can coexist efficiently when backed by agile, integrated smart controls.
About Doral Energy
Doral Renewable Energy Resources Group is an international renewable energy developer focused on utility-scale solar and energy storage projects. Founded in Israel, the company develops, finances, builds, and operates renewable energy assets across multiple markets, including Israel, the United States, and Europe. Doral is known for innovative projects that integrate solar generation with energy storage and agricultural use, supporting the transition to reliable, sustainable energy systems.
