Working visit: The smart beach grid and the role of storage
On September 4, Energy Storage NL together with Skoon and Stedin A working visit for 25 officials from the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth (KGG) to the smart beach network in Scheveningen.
The program offered a broad perspective on the role of flexibility and mobile storage in the energy system. Stedin gave two presentations: the first on the smart beach grid in Scheveningen, an autonomous low voltage grid that locally regulates the balance between generation, consumption and flexibility within agreed frameworks with the grid operator. The second presentation dealt with flextenders: controllable power that Stedin deploys at strategic locations in the grid when flexibility from existing assets proves insufficient. A current example was given from Walcheren, where there is a capacity shortage during tourist peaks. Last Christmas and Easter, emergency power generators were deployed there to prevent power outages. However, this solution is expensive, noisy and causes CO₂ and nitrogen emissions. Stedin will now deploy a technology-neutral flextender where it is expected that mobile battery solutions in particular will be suitable as a cleaner and more flexible alternative to emergency power generators.
Position paper mobile storage
Skoon then highlighted the opportunities of mobile battery storage as a flexible solution to grid congestion. Mobile storage offers convenience, is quiet and safe, and can accommodate seasonal peaks. At the same time, it became clear that the mobile storage market is still making young strides. For wider adoption, subsidies for rental structures, clear guidelines for congestion management and streamlined permit procedures are essential. These recommendations are also included in the position paper mobile storage, which was presented to officials during the working visit.
In addition to the presentations, there was plenty of room for conversation between policymakers, grid operators and market participants. These included the effects of grid congestion on businesses and community organizations, the role of mobile storage in both new construction and existing buildings, the important role subsidies have for this market, and the deployment and practical challenges of flextenders.
The working visit ended at Ampowr's battery in Scheveningen, which previously housed two Skoon mobile batteries. Meanwhile, the smart beach grid i.c.m. a stationary battery ensures that five beach tents in the area can keep running despite existing grid congestion - a tangible example of the power of energy storage.
