IX Zon and Liander Join Forces for the First Stand-Alone BESS Project to Reduce Grid Congestion

IX Sun and grid operator Liander have taken an important step in developing new solutions for grid congestion on the regional power grid. By signing the Capacity Management Contracts (CSC), both parties are laying the groundwork for a 40 MW / 160 MWh stand-alone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Borculo (Gelderland). IX Zon is providing a stand-alone BESS that will enable Liander to prevent overloads on the regional power grid. This is the first stand-alone BESS project for which Liander is using this type of contract.

The BESS in Borculo demonstrates that large-scale flexibility can also be deployed on the regional power grid. While similar congestion management projects have so far been developed primarily on TenneT’s (Transmission System Operator, TSO) national high-voltage grid, their application to the regional electricity grid (Distribution System Operator, DSO) has been limited by regulations and transmission tariffs. This project demonstrates that an economically and technically feasible solution is also possible at the regional grid level. As such, the project not only offers a solution for the Borculo area but also serves as a model for similar congestion hotspots elsewhere in the Netherlands.

The BESS project will have a capacity of 40 MW and a storage capacity of 160 MWh. By flexibly storing electricity or feeding it back into the grid when the grid operator requests it, the system helps better balance supply and demand locally. This allows for more efficient use of available grid capacity while also improving the balance between supply and demand on the regional power grid.

Quote from Liander: "This contract improves grid security, and TenneT and Liander are still in discussions regarding any capacity that could be made available through the contracts.".

Major Development Milestone

With the signing of the CSC agreements, key commercial and technical prerequisites for the project’s implementation have been met. This marks the start of the next phase of project development, which includes finalizing project financing, selecting suppliers, and preparing for construction.

“”This project demonstrates that innovative collaboration between the grid operator and market participants creates new opportunities to address grid congestion," says Sven Kamphues, director of IX Zon. “Making the flexibility of large-scale BESS available to the regional power grid creates a solution that generates both social and economic value. We expect that this type of contract will accelerate the development of similar BESS projects on the regional power grid and thereby help create capacity on the grid.”

On the Path to Realization

Quote from Liander: “The deployment of the BESS demonstrates how grid operators and market participants can work together to develop innovative solutions to address grid congestion. By taking a regional approach to identify needs and using the right tools to balance supply and demand, we can make much better use of the existing grid.”.

The BESS is scheduled to be completed in 2027. Once operational, the system will contribute to a more efficient use of the regional power grid, greater flexibility in the Dutch energy system, and the further integration of renewable energy.

About IX Zon

IX Zon develops large-scale projects in the fields of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), solar energy, wind energy, and integrated energy systems. By combining technical expertise, knowledge of grid infrastructure, and project development, IX Zon delivers solutions that contribute to a reliable, affordable, and future-proof energy system.