Better energy storage solutions and flexible energy consumption are needed to tackle the grid congestion

The capacity of the Dutch power grid is set to double over the next ten years in an effort to resolve ongoing capacity issues that have been hindering developments such as new housing projects. However, it will take several years before the effects of this expansion are fully felt.

In recent years, the Netherlands has rapidly transitioned to sustainable energy, with solar panels installed on one-third of all homes and large wind farms established in various locations. However, this progress has led to grid congestion, preventing new housing and other infrastructure from being connected to the electricity network, further delaying solutions to the country’s housing crisis.

‘The energy transition has been implemented too one-sidedly, focusing heavily on solar panels and wind farms without considering the impact on grid capacity,’ says Ronald Huisman, Professor of Sustainable Energy Finance at Erasmus School of Economics. According to Huisman, insufficient attention has been given to energy storage and balancing supply with demand, contributing to the current grid challenges.

Professor Huisman emphasises that true energy transition success means ensuring that solar energy generated during the day can still be used on Christmas Eve. This requires better energy storage solutions and flexible energy consumption. Encouraging developments are already underway, with agreements between grid operators and large consumers to adjust their electricity use based on availability. Additionally, the rise of home battery storage solutions is helping households reduce dependence on the grid and ease congestion.