Collaboration and integrated approach limit the consequences of grid congestion

Maintaining momentum in the energy transition

The energy transition is increasingly being delayed by the overloaded power grid. Grid operator Stedin already calls for a stop to the use of chargingpoles during the evening peak. And Alliander reports that The Netherlands will continue to suffer from limited access for at least another ten years net space. What should entrepreneurs who want to move forward greening until then? ‘By consumption, generation and To keep storage in balance, you use the maximum capacity of an energy connection,’ says Wim van den Pol. ‘This way companies can keep up the pace energy transition.’

For a long time, the availability of affordable electricity
obvious. The energy transition gained momentum. The number of electric cars has grown considerably and with the most solar panels per capita, the Netherlands is the world champion. Companies are making their buildings and processes more sustainable, heating and cooking is done electrically.

ALL ELECTRIC

‘In a society that becomes all electric, demand continues to rise,’ says Wim. He is the director of the electrical installation company of the same name, with its head office in Montfoort. ‘But grid congestion is now causing problems in more and more places. As a result, there is no or insufficient power available. And generated energy cannot always be returned.’

While grid congestion has reduced availability, energy prices have risen to great heights due to the war in Ukraine and have fluctuated widely since then. ‘The result of all this: business cases no longer make sense and developments stagnate. Because it is uncertain whether the energy connection is sufficient for a planned new construction or expansion. It is also uncertain whether there is always sufficient power for an electric charging square. Furthermore, a return delivery restriction makes the investment in solar panels less profitable. All this puts a brake on the energy transition.’

Don’t sit on the fenche

According to network company Alliander, the necessary network reinforcement will take at least another ten years. ‘However, companies do not have to sit on their hands until then,’ says Wim. ‘Door energieverbruik, opwek en opslag op elkaar af te stemmen, kunnen zij de gevolgen beperken. Zo dringen wij bij klanten het energieverbruik terug via smart ledverlichting en het beter inregelen van installaties. Begrenzers voorkomen ongewenste teruglevering door zonnepanelen. En dynamische laadvoorzieningen vermijden overbelasting en stemmen vermogen, opgewekte energie en tarieven op elkaar af.’

STORAGE IS ESSENTIAL

More and more energy companies are offering dynamic contracts. ‘To take full advantage of this, electricity can be stored temporarily. Then you can purchase energy when it is cheap or even free. Storage is also necessary for generated energy that cannot be used or for which return delivery is undesirable. That is why we are installing more and more electric battery systems.’ At Van den Pol, a Green Team has been working on sustainability since 2009. They closely monitor all developments. ‘The team has recently been expanded. All functions are together: engineering, calculation, preparation and realization. With an integral vision, the Green Team supports customers across the board: with energy management, PV installations, smart LED lighting, battery storage and charging facilities.’

GREEN DEAL ON IJSSELVELD

Integrated energy balancing also offers a solution on industrial estates. If different users in an area connect their connections (virtually), they can use each other’s network space,’ says Wim. ‘Generation by sun or wind can also be deployed collectively. In this way, companies limit the consequences of grid congestion. They can continue to do business and save money together. A good example is the energy cooperative on our own Montfoort business park IJsselveld. This has been ratified with a Green Deal, the first in the province of Utrecht.’

CRUCIAL BALANCE ARTISTS

Whether it concerns industrial estates or buildings, according to Wim, cooperation is the key to the energy issue. ‘Users in areas unite, specialists combine their expertise and jointly develop new solutions. In both cases we act as a link between users, energy and technology. The role of balancing artist suits us well.’ And is of crucial importance. ‘The energy transition has only just begun. More and more buildings are going off gas, hundreds of thousands of electric cars and heat pumps are being added. Homes also need to be built and companies need to keep producing. The availability of sufficient affordable electricity is a must for this.’