Netherlands grid operators using batteries to relieve bottlenecks

LinkedIn
Twitter
Reddit
Facebook
Email

Grid operators in the Netherlands are trialling the potential of large battery storage to relieve bottlenecks in the grid.

Liander, one of the seven main grid operators in the country, has partnered with developer GIGA Storage to deploy the batteries in Amsterdam, Alkmaar and Lelystad. Another operator, Enexis Netbeheer, has partnered with solar PV operator PowerField to do the same in Drenthe.

As the second-most densely populated country in Europe (excluding microstates), the Netherlands’ grid is reaching maximum capacity in more and more places. But, GIGA Storage pointed out, the maximum capacity is only reached during specific peak periods with capacity available for most of the remainder.

When allowing capacity onto the network, grid operators have to consider the maximum amount that all connected resources could request simultaneously, severely limiting the amount of assets they approve leading to much unused capacity.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Enjoy 12 months of exclusive analysis

Not ready to commit yet?
  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Annual digital subscription to the PV Tech Power journal
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Liander is starting three pilots with GIGA to add 10-20MW-sized batteries in Amsterdam and Alkmaar, and a 25MW one in Leylstad. The Leylstad grid has reached maximum capacity for the feed-in of wind and solar power, and the battery will increase input by storing the excess power.

They will also explore time-limited contracts, which will allow the batteries to only charge or discharge when there is available capacity. Currently, all resources including new batteries have to sign up to 24/7 grid access but the New Energy Act (Nieuwe Energiewet), set to come into effect in 2024/25, will allow for a more flexible approach.

Ruud Nijs, CEO of GIGA Storage, said: “We are in talks with the grid operators to realise large-scale energy storage. This creates a partnership between all parties in the energy chain that will contribute to a rapid energy transition and a substantial alleviation of connection problems.”

Enexis Netbeheer and PowerField’s collaboration is centred around the latter’s solar-plus-storage projects. PowerField will use a combination of a battery and time-limited contracts to help with grid congestion.

Nijs discussed his company’s 25MW/48MWh GIGA Buffalo battery storage project – the largest project in the country, pictured above – with Energy-Storage.news in January.

11 November 2025
San Diego, USA
The 2024 Summit included innovative new features including a ‘Crash Course in Battery Asset Management’, Ask-Me-Anything formats and debate-style sessions. You can expect to meet and network with all the key industry players again in 2025 from major US asset owners, operators, RTOs and ISOs, optimizers, software and analytics providers, technical consultancies, O&M technology providers and more.

Read Next

September 9, 2025
“Social licensing is the next frontier for battery energy storage systems,” said Matt Baumgurtel, partner, new energy lead at Hamilton Locke.
Premium
September 9, 2025
Andrés Barberán, energy storage product manager at Fluence, emphasises that optimising battery energy storage system (BESS) performance means making decisions with the entire asset lifecycle in mind, not just immediate returns.
September 8, 2025
A 12GWh pumped hydro project and a 1,200MWh battery energy storage system in New South Wales (NSW) have been submitted to Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
Premium
September 8, 2025
Energy-Storage.news Premium speaks with Ryan Hledik, Principal at the Brattle Group, and Lauren Nevitt, Senior Director of Public Policy at Sunrun, on the shaky future of California’s Demand Side Grid Support distributed storage programme.
September 8, 2025
Chinese solar PV inverter and energy storage provider Sungrow has deployed two C&I community batteries, marking the first in South Australia to undergo Common Smart Inverter Profile for Australia (CSIP-AUS) testing.

Most Popular

Email Newsletter