Grid congestion is becoming an ever-larger obstacle for European businesses. More and more, organizations are being told that expanding operations is impossible due to a saturated electricity grid. Meanwhile, the pressure to electrify and decarbonize continues to intensify. The solution? Flexible energy consumption. Not just to safeguard the continuity of your operations, but also to actively contribute to a more efficient use of grid capacity.

Yet, not every measure is inherently suitable. Independent and objective advice is essential to avoid costly missteps and missed opportunities.

What is flexibility in energy use?

Flexibility refers to an organization’s ability to temporarily adapt its electricity consumption or generation. This can include shifting energy usage to off-peak hours, shaving consumption peaks, or storing excess energy in batteries. These adjustments help reduce strain on the grid during critical periods.

It’s important to emphasize: implementing flexibility requires tailored analysis. What works for one business may be infeasible or unprofitable for another. Due to the rapid shifts in the energy market, measures that seem viable today may lose their value tomorrow. Independent calculations are key.

Why act now?

Currently, over 9,400 companies are on a waiting list for grid capacity upgrades. In some regions, wait times exceed five years. Investing in flexibility may provide a workaround, allowing businesses to continue expanding without waiting. As of April 1, 2025, a new government subsidy will become available to help businesses with a contracted grid capacity of at least 100 kW obtain independent advice and implement flexibility measures.

What does the subsidy cover? The subsidy supports businesses in three phases:

1. Flexibility scan – up to €10,000
   A neutral energy audit that identifies current consumption, bottlenecks, and potential improvements. COMCAM performs these scans independently, with no commercial stake in subsequent technologies.
2. Feasibility study – up to €125,000
   A comprehensive analysis exploring technical and financial viability of proposed solutions, such as battery storage, energy management systems, or smart controls. This phase ensures sound decision-making based on data.
3. Implementation
   Proven measures may receive investment support, provided the grid operator confirms they reduce local congestion.

Examples of possible measures

1. Battery storage systems
Battery systems allow businesses to store self-generated power (e.g., from solar panels) and use it during peak hours, reducing dependency on the grid.

Example: A horticultural company stores solar energy during the day and uses it at night to power its grow lights.

Caution: Battery storage is capital-intensive. The business case depends heavily on volatility in imbalance markets and grid tariff structures. A neutral cost-benefit analysis is essential.

2. Smart charging of vehicles and equipment
Smart scheduling of EV or machinery charging—especially during low-tariff hours—can significantly ease pressure on the grid.

Example: A distribution center delays charging forklift batteries until after 10 p.m., aligning with lower grid loads and reduced rates.

Caution: Coordination with operational processes is critical. Upfront investment in infrastructure and controls must be justified by long-term savings.

3. Process adjustment and behavioral shifts
Energy-intensive processes can be rescheduled to off-peak hours or spread out more evenly across the day.

Example: A bakery shifts oven pre-heating from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. to avoid morning grid congestion.

Caution: Seemingly simple changes can have ripple effects across labor schedules, logistics, and customer commitments. Scenario modeling is vital.

4. Thermal energy storage (TES)
Heat or cold can be stored in insulated tanks or building mass and used later. This decouples energy generation from immediate demand.

Example: A cold-storage facility chills water at night and uses it during the day for cooling operations.

Caution: TES requires significant physical space, high insulation standards, and process compatibility. Savings vary by application.

5. Energy management systems (EMS)
An EMS provides real-time insight and automated control over energy consumption. It enables dynamic load shifting and equipment prioritization.

Example: A manufacturing plant uses EMS to temporarily pause non-essential machinery when grid alerts signal peak congestion.

Caution: Integration into legacy systems can be complex. Additionally, success depends on a company’s ability and willingness to adjust processes.

6. Capacity-sharing agreements and virtual power hubs
Businesses can collaborate with nearby peers to exchange or redistribute capacity through contractual arrangements or grid coordination platforms.

Example: A food processor signs an agreement with a neighboring refrigeration plant to share surplus solar energy.

Caution: Legal structuring, IT integrations, and aligned incentives are all necessary. Results are highly context-dependent.

What is a congestion service provider (CSP)?

A Congestion Service Provider (CSP) is a certified intermediary that aggregates flexible capacity from businesses and makes it available to grid operators. When local grid congestion occurs or is anticipated, the CSP receives a signal from the grid operator and can automatically activate pre-agreed flexibility.

Example: COMCAM receives a notification from the grid operator indicating rising pressure on a specific local network. In response, and in accordance with predefined protocols, a battery system is discharged and several scheduled charging cycles are temporarily postponed.

For participating companies, working with a CSP offers several advantages:

• No need to monitor or manage grid conditions directly
• Financial compensation for making flexible capacity available during congestion events
• Contribution to greater regional energy system resilience

Why work with COMCAM?

COMCAM is more than a certified congestion service provider — we are a fully independent energy partner to large and growing businesses. Our role goes beyond operational flexibility. We help organizations navigate the complexity of the modern energy landscape with clarity, strategy, and objectivity. And we have been doing that for over 15 years.

We specialize in:

• Transparent analysis and scenario modeling tailored to your sector and goals
• Monte Carlo simulations to quantify risks and variability in energy investment decisions
• Strategic support aligned with your financial and sustainability ambitions
• Objective technology selection — we sell no hardware or vendor solutions
• Full-service guidance through subsidy applications and implementation

Our analyses go beyond simple ROI calculations. We simulate future energy market conditions, evaluate multiple pathways, and account for uncertainty in pricing, regulation, and business growth. That’s how we deliver clarity — and confidence — to your energy strategy.

Time-sensitive subsidy The new scheme operates on a “first come, first served” basis. Once the budget is depleted, no further applications can be accepted. While a follow-up round may be launched after 2026, there are no guarantees. Early action is advisable.

Conclusion

Energy flexibility is no longer a niche topic — it is a strategic necessity. Businesses that can adapt their consumption patterns stand to gain not only operational resilience but also a stronger position in a constrained grid environment. However, in a fast-moving energy market, yesterday’s solutions may be tomorrow’s sunk costs. Rigorous, neutral analysis is the foundation of any sound decision.

Want to know where your opportunities lie? Contact COMCAM to schedule a no-obligation intake or request a FlexScan.