The AmstelbatterEi: An innovative energy solution for grid balancing

Last Easter was the day: the Amstel bird laid its first egg - the AmstelbatterEi. A real milestone in the energy transition. At the foot of the wind turbine in Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, a brand new, cooperative energy storage system (EOS) of energy cooperative De Windvogel and Emmett Green. It is the result of three years of intensive collaboration and preparation. A 2 MW / 4 MWh plant that cleverly stores renewable energy, can reduce grid congestion and helps balance the power grid.

Cooperative ownership and professional execution

The project is so special because of the collaboration between De Windvogel and Emmett Green. De Windvogel is a well-established energy cooperative that has been working on local ownership of renewable energy for years, and Emmett Green is an independent consultant experienced in innovative energy solutions. Each bears responsibility for 50% for battery ownership.

Emmett Green had the role of delegated developer and was therefore responsible for the entire process: from drafting contracts to coordinating the permit process, coordinating with grid operator Liander and other parties, and conducting financial and technical feasibility studies. All this was done in close consultation with the cooperative, which ensured a good partnership.

Digital Twin for data-driven battery sizing

Prior to construction, Emmett Green developed its own Digital Twin of the site using its advanced Energy Management System (EMS): a simulation model capable of calculating different battery sizes, capacities and market strategies based on historical data. These simulations provided insight into how the battery, along with the wind turbine, would behave in different electricity markets, such as the imbalance, day-ahead and intraday markets, and under different grid constraints.

The result? A reasoned choice for a 2 MW / 4 MWh battery capable of responding flexibly to price fluctuations and grid needs without hindering the wind turbine's ability to generate green power. The beauty is that the same algorithms from this simulation phase are also used to drive the battery in practice. So what was calculated in advance is exactly what is now happening in real time.

MLOEA for smart optimization behind-the-meter

Another unique aspect of the AmstelbatterEi is the application of MLOEA: Multiple Suppliers On One Connection. In this setup, the wind turbine and the battery share the same physical grid connection and they are co-located, but are administratively separated.

Therefore, because the battery uses the same grid connection as the wind turbine, no additional grid connection or transmission capacity is needed from the grid operator. Thus, the battery charges completely with wind energy. Emmett Green's EMS takes all constraints into account, ensuring that the battery can be charged directly with the sustainable power generated by the Amstelvogel and discharged again when the wind briefly drops. In this way we make maximum use of the existing grid capacity and the smart combination of technology and structure ensures that the wind turbine and battery reinforce each other.

The power of advanced control and market optimization

The battery is controlled by Emmett Green's Energy Management System (EMS). This system continuously analyzes the current situation: the Amstelvogel's production, energy markets, available capacity and connection restrictions. Based on this data, the EMS determines how the battery can be used optimally.

This happens at lightning speed. The wind turbine can vary more than 500 kW in production within a second, and the EMS responds immediately. At the same time, the system constantly monitors market opportunities such as imbalance, intraday, day-ahead and redispatch. Is power cheap? Then the battery recharges. Are prices high, and therefore relatively high demand? Then it delivers back to the grid.

Insights and future prospects

As with any innovative project, the AmstelbatterEi provided valuable insights. The added value of the combination of technical expertise and local involvement from the Energy Cooperative was clearly reflected in the cooperation between the Wind Bird and Emmett Green. Both parties appear to have many similar goals in the realization of this type of project, despite their different perspectives. In addition, the project shows that a business case is possible for a battery that cooperates with renewable generation and does not have its own grid connection.

At a time when grid congestion is one of the biggest challenges within the energy transition, the AmstelbatterEi demonstrates that innovation is not only in hardware, but also in smart organizational choices.

Emmett Green is proud to support this beautiful project by simulation and control through the EMS, facilitating the smart MLOEA construction. This is how we are building a future-proof energy system together.