This site required an energy management system (EMS) for the new charging plaza. The Luqas Charging Hub by Qbus now monitors the distribution of power to the factory, charging stations, and other facilities.
Anyone driving along the E40 near Jabbeke can hardly miss the site of kitchen manufacturer Diapal. It is an imposing building with large production halls, showrooms, and a roof full of solar panels. Behind the facade lies a complex electrical system that operates under high tension day and night. With heavy CNC machines, a gigantic solar panel park, a precisely tuned HVAC system, and a parking lot equipped with EV charging stations, smart energy management is not a choice here, it is a must.
Whether it’s lighting, heating, or charging infrastructure, everything is now integrated into a single system using Qbus combined with the Luqas Charging Hub. This makes management straightforward and reliable.
Matthias Verhegge Facility Manager Diapal
Keeping the Factory Running with Qbus and Luqas
Gigantic power levels and mind-boggling numbers define the dashboards of Diapal's energy management system (EMS). The main connection, routed through a high-voltage substation, handles a massive 1200 amps and 830 kW. A continuous, heavy flow of electricity moves in all directions. Smart power control is necessary at every level, driven by one absolute priority: the factory must always keep running without fail. Diapal has partnered with Qbus for years to manage its lighting and HVAC systems. Over time, the site evolved into an intelligent ecosystem.
"For six to seven years now, the lighting has been controlled by Qbus applications," says Samuel Billens of Qbus. "Later, the HVAC installations were also integrated into the Qbus system. Recently, the site needed charging stations for staff vehicles. Because all building systems are managed via the central Qbus platform, the smart charging solution via the Luqas Charging HUB could easily be added to the Qbus control application. This allows all systems to be operated centrally while providing extra energy insights. Choosing Qbus to control the charging stations was a logical step."
Smart Control, Even Smarter Charging
To install the charging stations, Diapal collaborated with Advenso, while the configuration was handled by Bruges-based installer Marc Massez.
They installed four double Blitz charging stations, providing a total of eight charging points. From day one, the Luqas Charging HUB has continuously monitored power distribution. During peak production times, the system automatically scales back the power delivered to the charging stations through intelligent load balancing.
You really need to know what you are consuming and what power you can spare at any given moment," explains Samuel Billens. "The machines always take priority. Our applications ensure that the charging infrastructure flexibly adapts to what the factory is doing. This all happens automatically, without anyone having to intervene.
Samuel Billens Project Sales Qbus
Everything in One Dashboard: Clear and Reliable
Matthias Verhegge, Diapal's facility manager, oversees the entire system through a single central Qbus dashboard that integrates HVAC, lighting, and EV charging management.
"That is the big advantage for us," says Matthias Verhegge. "We don't have to switch between different platforms. Whether it concerns lighting, heating, or charging infrastructure, everything is in one system. That makes management clear and reliable. After installing the Luqas Charging HUB, we gained perfect insight into energy consumption per zone."
Marc Massez, the dedicated installer at Diapal, is also a strong advocate for these integrations.
As an installer, I have known Qbus for automation for a long time. What is special here is how easily the charging aspect was integrated. The configuration by the Qbus team went smoothly, and as an installer, we could follow along at any time. That is true collaboration.
Marc Massez Installateur bij Diapal
For Diapal, this installation is more than just a charging solution. It is a strategic step toward future-proof energy management. Thanks to smart load balancing, the company can maximize its production capacity while actively investing in sustainable mobility.
This project is a perfect example of a multi-user site application. Diapal plans to add more charging stations in the future, and the Luqas Charging HUB makes further expansion with different hardware brands entirely possible.
Technical specifications
- Project type: Industrial site – production + showroom + offices
- Location: Jabbeke
- Systems: 4 dual Blitz charging points (8 charging points), Luqas Charging Hub, Qbus HVAC and lighting control, Qbus dashboard
- Applications: Load balancing across multiple levels, HVAC & lighting integration, real-time monitoring, solar energy optimisation
- Management: In-house facilities team via Qbus dashboard, with support from Qbus service
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