Energy storage: everyone should be able to participate

The lack of political and administrative interest in the storage of (sustainably) generated energy by households negatively affects the speed of the household energy transition. In the current debate about the cost of solar power, the battery may well be a gamechanger. After all, every kilowatt hour that does not reach the congested grid lowers the customer's energy bill and prevents overcrowded power grids.

Political courage

The abolition of the net-metering scheme on Jan. 1, 2027, makes the usefulness and necessity of storage even more important at a stroke. Nevertheless, energy storage by households and entrepreneurs will take off in the coming years. Political courage matters now. Cabinet: choose energy storage, encourage it financially and help the transition forward!

Clarity required

Abolishing net-metering is the next step in the transition. It will encourage households to use energy themselves and invest in storage. This will help grid operators with the enormous challenge they face and ultimately lower energy bills. And all types of storage and flexibility qualify. Charging the electric car an hour later or discharging it again after dark, heat storage or a home battery.

Manageable

However, this is easier said than done. After all, the energy transition is not about technology but about people. People for whom the biggest plans, but also certainly the speed of the transition, are not manageable. After all, 2030 or 2050 are still a long way off. If you want to get people on board, you will have to think from their perspective. Only then will we have a chance of succeeding in this transition. Therefore, abolish net-metering in 2027 and come up with help to stimulate energy storage and flexibility. Not only for new systems, but also for households and entrepreneurs who have already invested in solar.

Make it easy

We benefit from an energy transition that is accessible to everyone. That everyone can participate and benefit from it. Affordability is paramount. Give therefore perspective on lowering the energy bill. Come up with the necessary preconditions now so that by January 1, 2027 we already have success stories. And make it easy. An accessible scheme with certainty for consumers, landlords and housing associations. Whether it's a home battery, thermal storage or some other flex solution. We need to get into it early and get people excited about the technology. The neighbors next door and across the street have more influence than we think.

This Cabinet is the biggest supporter of energy storage. It is up to politicians to ensure that everyone can also participate in this next phase of the energy transition.

Boudewijn den Herder
Board member Energy Storage NL

This column was published in Storage Magazine September 2024