Energy Storage NL and Holland Solar publish System Vision

Towards an integrated energy system

It is no longer about individual wind turbines, solar panels or battery systems. It's not even just about climate goals: what the Netherlands needs is sustainable, reliable and affordable energy at the location and time we need it.

These are the words of both Wijnand van Hooff of Holland Solar and Jeroen Neefs of Energy Storage NL. In a article In Solar Magazine with associated vision document they argue for a new way of thinking about the energy transition and building the new energy system through energy storage.

As much production as possible

The emphasis in recent years has been mainly on realizing as much capacity to produce energy from renewable sources and not on using this energy as smartly as possible. As a result, more and more hours with negative prices are emerging, making the business case for new solar and wind projects less and less attractive. The next phase of energy transition therefore requires an integrated system approach with attention to the optimal use of the available renewable energy.

New phase

The main question now is: how do we balance our energy supply with our energy demand and how do we ensure that there is sufficient flexibility to realize the difference in time and place between generation and use, taking into account the limited capacity of the grid? This requires a system approach, in which we no longer approach the energy transition as separate puzzle pieces but through an integral approach supported by consistent policy. Neefs: “With the enormous cost reductions in energy storage in recent years, it is becoming increasingly clear that a combination of solar, wind and energy storage, including the additional costs of grid reinforcement, will yield the lowest system costs. However, this requires a shared vision. And a sense of urgency”.

According to Van Hooff and Neefs, action is needed in the short term.

Concrete steps

“Anyone who has doubts about what the energy system of the future will look like I would refer to the National Energy System Program (NPE). I also invite the new cabinet to use the NPE to develop supportive policies,” Van Hooff stated.

“For example, the NPE sets a goal of over 59 gigawatt peaks of solar power capacity by 2030 and 50 gigawatts of offshore wind generation capacity by 2040. When things get tough, you shouldn't abandon the targets as happened with offshore solar. These targets are defined for a reason, we just have to meet them. Moreover, transplantation is necessary for a stable system, just like energy management, energy storage and energy conversion. In the end, wind and solar are the fastest and most sustainable solutions for lower energy bills.”

From a system perspective, it is necessary to bring energy supply and demand closer together. Flexibility and energy storage play an important role in this. More direction on this by a future government is important.

Neefs is pushing for clear goals. “The Energy Storage Roadmap contains as many as 70 diverse actions. In our view, this is unworkable. Reduce it to a few key points with concrete measures, for example around improving financing of storage projects, optimizing locations and permits for storage, stimulating storage innovations, etc. . And then let the government, grid operators and market parties together take responsibility for implementing that national program.”

Message to politics

Holland Solar and Energy Storage NL urge the need for more direction and leadership from politicians to dare to make these choices. The sector organizations are arguing for a coherent energy system in which generation, transport, storage and use are in balance. Neefs: “Then a lot is possible, even without large-scale subsidies. Because we as industry can organize a lot ourselves by cooperating with grid managers and the ACM.”.

Van Hooff: “Only by approaching the energy transition from a systems perspective can it be successful and can the Netherlands remain economically competitive.”