Keep control over your company’s energy management
The Netherlands is increasingly facing the limits of the electricity grid. As businesses continue to electrify and adopt sustainable solutions, grid congestion is becoming a pressing issue. Network operators see demand for electricity rising rapidly but can’t always keep up. The result? Waiting lists for new connections and capacity expansion, making business establishment or expansion a challenge.
For businesses in East Netherlands, Oost NL provides support in tackling these challenges. We work together with companies to explore ways to operate efficiently within the current grid capacity and help find solutions that support their growth ambitions.
What is grid congestion, and what does it mean for your business?
Grid congestion occurs when the electricity grid reaches its maximum capacity. This can apply to both electricity consumption and feed-in. While grid operators are working hard to expand capacity, these upgrades often take years to complete. In the meantime, businesses may face capacity limitations that impact their growth potential and operational efficiency.
Your energy strategy: from insight to action
To effectively manage grid congestion, understanding your energy consumption is crucial. Oost NL supports businesses by analyzing their current situation and exploring energy-saving solutions together. By measuring and analyzing energy use at different times of the day, you gain a clear view of peaks and troughs. This helps shift processes to times when electricity demand is lower, making more efficient use of available energy resources.
Start with the questions:
- What are my peak consumption moments, and what causes them?
- Are there devices or processes that can be adjusted to reduce peaks?
- What are my future energy needs, for example, due to expansion or sustainability?
With these insights, you can develop an energy strategy. This forms the basis for exploring different solutions and organizing business operations in a smart way.
Three strategies to manage grid congestion
Businesses can maximize their energy capacity within the limits of their existing grid connection using three key strategies:
- Energy savings: With relatively simple adjustments, such as better insulation, LED lighting, and timers, you can quickly reduce energy consumption by 20-30%. Additionally, measures such as heat recovery and more efficient ventilation systems help lower energy use.
- Individual optimization behind the meter: By installing solar panels or batteries, you can better align your energy consumption with generation. This not only helps to smooth out peaks but also reduces dependence on the grid. Other options include thermal collectors and hybrid systems to flexibly switch between electricity and other energy sources.
- Collaborative solutions with other businesses: Sometimes, working together with nearby companies can be beneficial. Joint investments in batteries, charging hubs, or district heating networks can lower costs. This requires proper coordination and cooperation but often provides valuable solutions for optimizing grid use. Oost NL can support this by connecting businesses and facilitating collaboration.
The role of an energy management system (EMS)
For both individual and collective strategies, an energy management system (EMS) is essential. An EMS monitors and controls energy consumption in buildings and processes, ensuring a perfect balance between supply and demand. This prevents overload and helps comply with the limitations set by grid operators.
A well-configured EMS provides detailed insights, such as quarter-hourly consumption data, and even enables automatic switching to sustainable energy sources. This ensures that your energy strategy remains effective not just today, but also in the future.
