Trial of energy storage in delivery trucks

Online web supermarket tests smart and sustainable energy network together with ENGIE

Online supermarket Picnic will develop a so-called smart grid in the municipality of Rotterdam, an innovative energy network that optimally matches the supply and demand of power. It is the largest trial ever in Europe, in which 160 Picnic cars will form a network. To this end, the electric delivery vans will be equipped with smart batteries that can store energy when it is cheaply and sustainably available and release it when the grid needs it.

For this purpose, the innovative web supermarket is developing a network together with technical service provider and energy company ENGIE and Dexter Energy Services that consists of solar panels, smart chargers, (stationary) batteries for energy storage in the distribution centers and smart batteries in the electric delivery vehicles.

Smart power distribution

"Our fleet of electric cars provides a unique opportunity to test such a smart grid," said Amy Klein, project manager at Picnic. "As the number of electric vehicles grows, this new technology will have many applications. The central government supports this project because of its innovative nature and the pioneering role the Netherlands can play in developing the technology."

Erik Groen, business developer at ENGIE: "The solar panels on Picnic's roofs produce power during the day, which we can store in batteries using the smart chargers. These batteries can be used at night to charge the delivery trucks or to return power to the grid when there is a power surplus." ENGIE takes care of the solar panels, battery storage and charging infrastructure.

100 percent sustainable

Together with Dexter Energy Services, ENGIE is expanding the energy management system that connects all components. Smart algorithms ensure that energy is used at the right time. "ENGIE wants to be at the forefront of the energy transition and help as many companies, institutions and consumers as possible to make the transition to 100 percent sustainable. With our experience in smart energy networks, we are taking a step towards making Rotterdam more sustainable together with Picnic," Groen said.
Picnic is deliberately choosing to pilot in Rotterdam. In the port city, a smart energy network to which 20,000 households and businesses will be connected over the next three years, Europe's largest smart grid, will begin operations this month. The smart software in the system will enable electrical appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators and freezers to communicate with windmills, solar panels and even electric cars to determine the best time to draw energy from the appliance.

Photos of this project