ESNL hands over Heat Storage Casebook to CTOs of grid operators
During the working visit with the CTOs of TenneT, Stedin, Enexis and Alliander on Nov. 14, Energy Storage NL (ESNL) handed over the new Heat Storage Casebook. The document highlights how heat storage in practice contributes to sufficient, affordable and reliable heat, as well as the benefits associated with these projects and the challenges involved in realizing them.
Heat storage as indispensable link
Heat is a crucial but often less visible part of our energy system. More than 40% of energy consumption in the Netherlands goes to heat: to heat homes, provide tap water and keep industrial processes running. Heat is also a robust energy carrier. Once generated, heat can be stored using proven technologies, both for short and long periods of time.
This makes thermal storage an indispensable link in a sustainable, fossil-free energy system. It helps to use renewable energy more efficiently, reduce peaks on the power grid and make local heat supplies more sustainable.
Five ESNL member organizations were interviewed for the Heat Storage Casebook: Solyx Energy, Newton Energy Solutions B.V., Novar, Eneco and HoCoSto B.V.. They share their practical experiences and provide insight into the opportunities and challenges in realizing heat storage projects. Their examples show how heat storage at various scales - from households and businesses to heat grids and industrial applications - is already being successfully applied in the Netherlands.
From practice to policy
The examples in the casebook show not only the benefits, such as more control over energy bills, less grid congestion, better use of existing connections and accelerated electrification of industry, but also the practical obstacles that projects still often encounter. These include complex permitting processes, spatial integration and lack of clarity in regulations.
The casebook shows that thermal storage can make a significant contribution to a sustainable, flexible and affordable energy system, but that this potential can be much better exploited. By removing bottlenecks and encouraging cooperation, the rollout of thermal storage can be significantly accelerated.
Working together for an integrated energy system
The handover to the CTOs underscores the importance of cooperation between grid operators, market players and policymakers. Only by cleverly connecting the various forms of storage - electricity, heat and molecules - can we build the integrated energy system of the future.
