Energy Storage NL in conversation with minister Jetten

ESNL chairman Maarten van den Heuvel, board member Ruud Nijs and industry manager Jeroen Neefs met with Minister Jetten today. The meeting discussed the added value of energy storage in relation to the existing grid congestion problems. In particular, the deployment of large-scale batteries in the Netherlands was discussed.

According to ESNL, 1 GW of large-scale batteries can be installed in the Netherlands in the short term, after which it is necessary to work towards at least 30 GW by 2050. To achieve this ambition, however, a number of preconditions must be met, namely:

• Exception batteries at transportation rates: Under the current system of transmission tariffs, generators are exempt while consumers pay the full bill. A battery is now considered a consumer, resulting in millions per year being remitted to grid operators. TenneT recently announced to increase the transport tariffs by another 90%. Energy storage NL proposes that no transport tariff is paid by batteries if their actions do not interfere with the electricity grid.
• Batteries currently fall under the first come first serve principle, putting them in the queue with grid operators when they could substantially reduce this queue. A separate category should be created for batteries within the total number of applications.
• A national goal for energy storage: While surrounding countries have significantly increased their storage capacity in recent years, the Netherlands is lagging behind. A specific target to move toward at least 30 gigawatts of storage capacity by 2050 provides grid operators, the market and financiers with the desired clarity. Achieving this objective can be stimulated with a specific tender system for energy storage.
• Add definition energy storage to Cable Pooling: recent Energy Storage NL, in cooperation with Invest NL and Ventolines, has created a Cable Pooling Agreement (CPO) with Storage. This agreement contains provisions to realize solar, wind and energy storage behind one grid connection. Cable pooling for solar and wind energy has already been made possible by law. Energy storage should now be added to the existing law article and related sub-articles.