On the 11th of May, 2016, the members of FME / Energy Storage NL visited Norton Rose Fulbright. The meeting focused on the importance of adapting regulatory frameworks to facilitate energy storage value maximisation for the energy system of the future. Because existing regulatory frameworks do not yet determine a clear position for storage, the storage sector encounters issues such as double taxation and counterproductive incentives in the fee structure of the grid connection. This undermines the business case, and is the reason why services that provide storage to the network cannot be used at maximum capacity.
Host Matthijs van Leeuwen of Norton Rose set out the most commonly experienced obstacles. He also explained the most important legal and commercial aspects that play a role when financing energy storage projects.
Following the remarks of Matthijs van Leeuwen, Pol van der Linde of ETPA introduced the new trading platform for energy flexibility. The most important breakthrough for EPTA is that its plans aim to reach an entirely liquid market relying on low transaction costs. Their plans seem successful. A solid and cheap trading platform is a prerequisite for a more profitable business case for (smaller) energy storage.
Next, AES Netherlands’ new Vice President, Paul McCuster, presented the organisation’s first experiences with a 10 megawatt commercial storage in the Dutch province of Zeeland. The system provides primary reserve capacity for Tennet, but is also able to provide several other grid services. AES too, is affected by obstructive legislation that negatively impact its business case.
Haike van der Vegte (DNV GL) and Hans van der Spek (FME) presented the National Action Plan Energy Storage and elaborated on the progress made in this area. When the plan will be released – expected this summer – members can contribute to its further development.
The meeting was finished by a short update about the Energy Storage Global Conference, which will be held in Brussels on 27, 28, and 29 September. ESNL coordinates the Dutch contribution and participating members will receive a significant discount.
Drinks and snacks, together with a fantastic outlook over Amsterdam and the Amstel river, were offered by Norton Rose at the meeting’s closure.
Members can download the presentations of this afternoon from the membership section of the ESNL website (login required).
