Emission-free building under pressure from grid congestion? This is how it works
Bouwend Nederland and Energy Storage NL brought together chain partners from the construction and energy sectors for a joint knowledge session on an urgent theme: how to keep construction sites operational and emission-free in times of grid congestion.
Electricity demand is growing explosively - from more electric equipment to stricter emission requirements - while the standard building connection (3x80A) is increasingly inadequate. This inhibits not only the construction process, but also housing construction as an end product. The message of this meeting was clear: we can already achieve a lot now if we combine technology with cooperation, guts and a system approach.
From bottleneck to building power: five powerful case stories
During the meeting, leading companies shared concrete real-world solutions:
- Heijmans Infra showed how on the A1 project they worked emission-free for 15 kilometers with smart combinations of fixed and temporary connections, energy storage and EMS. Important: start early with grid operators, and puzzle integrally with logistics and safety.
- Royal Oosterhof Holman gave through Harm Jansma a sharp analysis of the (im)possibilities of different energy carriers: from batteries to hydrogen, biogas and methanol. Conclusion: no "one size fits all," but the right mix for each project based on an assessment framework under development with ENTRANCE.
- Accu't Batteries showed how circular battery containers with second-life EV batteries can already serve entire construction sites, even with only 25A grid connection. Low CO₂-impact, high flexibility. And: easier than imagined. "Just start - and discover what it brings."
- Skoon presented their digital energy management system that makes zero-emission construction planable and measurable. By deploying a "Fossil Digital Twin," CO₂-gains and performance insightful and optimizable. "Energy should no longer be a closing item."
- Bouwend Nederland, through Jan Kets, emphasized that grid-conscious design and zero-emission construction is not something for later - but a prerequisite for today. And that requires chain cooperation, standardization and the courage to do things differently.
Don't wait for the grid to work - build with what can be done
The collective conclusion of the session? The technology is there. The first practical examples show that building without emissions is possible even under the pressure of grid congestion. What is still needed is joint organizational strength: better data, predictability in grid capacity, unambiguous rules and structural knowledge sharing.
Follow-up: from pilot to standard
Participants advocated:
- Case-based follow-ups with grid operators, municipalities and suppliers
- Improved access to grid information in project preparation
- Practical choice guides for renewable energy carriers
- A regulatory and safety bottleneck counter
- And above all, a joint implementation agenda for zero-emission building
The construction site as an engine of energy transition
Grid congestion does not have to be a roadblock - it can become an accelerator for innovation. If we approach the construction site not as a problem, but as a solution, we will make zero-emission construction the norm. Energy Storage NL remains committed to collaboration, scale-up and concrete action.
Thank you to all speakers and participants for their insights, energy and openness. Together we are moving emission-free building forward - from project to practice, from pilot to platform.
Want to know more about the session or follow-ups? Contact Energy Storage NL at info@energystoragenl.nl.
Download the summary of the mobile storage knowledge session
