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Analysis & prevention

Evaluate your energy consumption patterns to identify peaks. Look for opportunities to use appliances and processes more efficiently and spread them out over time. Reduce the use of energy-intensive devices and save both power and energy.

This approach not only reduces your energy demand, but also saves energy, which leads to cost savings and a reduction in carbon emissions.

Congestion management – flexible power

Congestion management is smart use of the space available within an electricity network. This is because the electricity network in the Netherlands can only transport a limited amount of energy at the same time. Through congestion management, you respond intelligently to peak times and quiet times.

In orange congestion areas, the grid operator investigates possibilities for parties to provide flexible power in order to free up space for others. You may be able to provide flexibility yourself (switch power on or off on request) and receive compensation for it. If you are already on a waiting list, it may be that capacity becomes available for you in this way.

Are there neighboring businesses that need the most energy at very different times? You may be able to use some of the available capacity for your business. This is another interpretation of flexible power to bridge the time until the grid is expanded.

Read more in our earlier blog on congestion management.

Adjusted transportation contract

If congestion management is not enough, you may be able to make individual arrangements with the grid operator. Consider a contract with different capacity or quality during specific time windows. Possibilities include:

Static capacity limitation by rush-hour avoidance at fixed times
Dynamic capacity limitation by rush-hour avoidance on demand
Group contract
Net neutral connection
Non-firm ATO, a limited right to transport capacity in certain time windows or when there is space here

 

Solutions behind the meter

Converting energy to another energy carrier

Do you generate your own energy? Look for alternative energy sources and energy carriers, such as solar or wind, or ground source heat.

Using an energy conversion system, such as a heat pump, electrolyser, boiler, locally generated electricity is converted into another form of energy. Another form of energy, such as heat, cold or hydrogen, is sometimes easier to use or store for use at a later time. Examples: conversion of electricity to e.g. heat, cold, compressed air, hydrogen, water pressure (pumping water). This solution can be combined with energy storage behind the meter.

Energy steering- reduce peak demand

Reduce peak demand by investing in energy-saving equipment and implement energy management techniques for flexible energy control. For example, this allows processes that require a lot of energy – such as production lines – to be temporarily turned off to avoid grid congestion and reduce peak loads. Or use a generator or energy storage to bridge short periods of extra power demand.

(Partially) bi-directional charging of electric vehicles can also be a possible solution. This solution is now available to a limited extent, but will certainly become more widely available in the coming years.

Energy sharing

Possible behind-the-meter solutions for energy sharing include:

Sharing the grid connection, also known as cable pooling. This solution is often used with a combination of at least 2 sources that produce electricity, such as wind turbines and solar panels. This allows for better and smarter use of the available grid capacity. By sharing, entrepreneurs avoid extra connection costs and double periodic grid operator costs.
Direct line: directly generated electricity is supplied to a large user in the neighborhood without using the general electricity grid. This customer then immediately uses the generated electricity.

Energy storage

Energy storage, after energy conversion, can take many forms. Well-known are batteries, accumulators and heat or cold buffers. Energy can also be stored in pressure (compressed air), gas (e.g. hydrogen), altitude energy, a flywheel, phase change materials, thermochemical storage or underground heat and cold storage (KWO/WKO).

The stored energy can then be used for one’s own energy use at a later time. The choice of energy storage type should be tailored to the generation and usage profile of the local situation.

New branch

Check the contracted capacity at the site in good time and request a suitable connection from the grid operator as soon as possible. In case of transmission shortages, apply for the required transmission capacity quickly and be placed on the waiting list.

Or move to another location where there is sufficient transportation capacity. This a drastic measure that is not every company’s option.

Patiently waiting

Although there is always more capacity coming through the grid operator’s transmission obligation – it is required by law to provide any transmission capacity it wants – grid reinforcements can take a long time to implement. Make sure you are on the waiting list for additional electric capacity.

COMCAM can help you with grid congestion

Grid operators are working hard to strengthen the electricity grid. This will allow them to meet the growing demand. But this will not be achieved overnight.

COMCAM can advise you on grid congestion solutions. We do this from our unique approach to Energy Portfolio Management. COMCAM is the specialist in all possibilities for energy contracts for supply and feed-in.

Learn more about the various congestion management options.

Would you like personalized advice? Then contact us.

 

Source: RFO, Hans Schneider