Problem of grid congestion: at Brainport Industries Campus they solve it themselves

The electricity grid in Brabant is almost full. In the Brainport region alone, dozens of companies are waiting for a new or heavier connection. At the completely gas-free Brainport Industries Campus (BIC) in Eindhoven, BIC Utility BV, a joint venture between Equans and the Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM), solves this problem of grid congestion itself: behind the meter at its own power plant, so the campus does not need to call on the grid operator for a heavier connection.

“A key part of the solution is ingenious energy management, as we have applied on campus for years to provide tenants with optimal sustainability and guaranteed uptime,” Ruud Vleugels explains on behalf of utility partner Equans.

“However, due to the growing electricity demand, we saw that we needed to top up. Reason for us as BIC Utility BV to opt for an expansion of the solar roof and additional storage capacity in the form of a battery in our own power plant.” Extensions recently realised by Equans.

“With this new step, we are ensuring that we minimise demand and feed-in towards the grid operator and do not unnecessarily take up grid capacity. This despite a growing electricity demand, also on campus,” Vleugels explains. “Moreover, this way we consume as much of our own solar energy as possible.”

Interest is high
“If all the companies located at the BIC individually applied for a connection to the grid operator, they would need ten times more power than what they are asking for together now,” Vleugels calculates.

“Nobody believes what we are doing here. Such a low consumption, such a low demand for power, surely that is not possible while the number of companies based on the campus is growing and companies are only expanding their production. We get questions from everyone,” he says not without pride.

Continuous process
“We look very carefully at a tenant’s specific situation,” Vleugels continues. “For example, we monitor the consumption of each individual and adjust where necessary. A continuous process of scaling up and down which keeps energy costs for tenants manageable and allows us as BIC Utility BV to always use our utilities optimally.”

“Congestion management with capital letters,” concludes Vleugels. And that in a place that breathes top technology and collaboration. “All the better that we as BIC Utility BV have managed to tackle the problem of grid congestion right here. This together with the tenants and thanks to financing from Rabobank in the expansion of the solar roof and battery.”

Showcase
“As co-owner of BIC Utility BV, BOM is proud of what we have achieved here “, said Ernst Coolen, Investment Director Renewable Energy at BOM. “We see the energy management and sustainability of BIC as a showcase for untapped opportunities that still exist at many business parks in the Netherlands. For the exploitation and realisation of this potential, the formation of strong collectives, as formed at the BIC, is an important accelerator. We would like to use the knowledge and experience we gain here to also structure and finance other Brabant projects in a smart way.”

Part of this strong collective also includes Rabobank. Through financing, the bank is facilitating the realisation of the energy system at the BIC. “In 2021, we agreed on the financing of the sustainable power plant. At the time, the financing of this so-called Energy Service Company (ESCo) was considered a breakthrough in the energy transition,” indicates Johan van de Louw, director cooperative Rabobank. “The BOM and Equans have since shown that a sustainable power plant works and that gives confidence for new projects. Like now the battery and solar roof expansion.”

Rabobank’s Account Manager Wholesale Industry & Energy Philine Visser says: “BIC is showing with this that if you sit at the table with the right parties you can realise innovative solutions to social issues, in this case grid congestion. As an account manager, it is of course very cool to be involved in these types of realisations. These are the developments that can really make a difference, and I am proud that we as Rabobank have been able and allowed to finance this. This is in line with Rabobank’s ambition to be banker of the energy transition.”