Power grid overload

Power grid overload, also known as grid congestion, is no longer a future scenario, but a current problem that affects business owners, developers and consumers alike.

Causes of the overloaded power grid

Power grid overloading does not come out of nowhere. It is the result of several developments that follow each other in rapid succession. These causes vary by region, but the general picture shows a clear trend: our energy infrastructure is not built for the speed and intensity with which we are electrifying. We list the main causes:

• Rapid increase in solar panels and wind turbines, which cause peak moments in grid load.
• More and more heat pumps and electric vehicles, which create higher and less predictable electricity demand.
• Companies switching to electric processes and installing massive charging infrastructure.
• Outdated or under-equipped electricity infrastructure, with too little capacity in cables and transformer stations.
• Lengthy procedures for grid expansion, due to permits and scarcity of technical staff.
• Concentration of energy-intensive projects in the same places, such as business parks and new housing developments.

All these factors reinforce each other. This creates peaks in both the supply and the demand for power, precisely at times when the grid cannot cope. This leads to grid congestion, or a situation in which there is simply too little capacity available to handle it all.

What overloading the power grid means

Grid congestion has far-reaching consequences. For many people, the concept of grid congestion remains abstract until they have to deal with it themselves. For entrepreneurs, for example, it means that they cannot expand, install charging stations or electrify their production processes.

For property developers and housing corporations, it may even mean that planned construction projects are halted due to lack of connection capacity. And for consumers, it might mean restrictions on solar power feed-in or higher costs due to inefficient use of energy.

It also creates a fragile situation on the grid where voltage problems or failures can occur more quickly. This can lead not only to inconveniences, but also to safety risks and damage to equipment. Thus, overloading the power grid is not only a technical problem, but goes to the heart of our social and economic development.

What to do about overcrowded power grid?

Although the pressure on the power grid is increasing, fortunately there are ways to deal with it. The solution lies partly with grid operators who are expanding and strengthening the electricity grid, but citizens and businesses can also take action themselves to reduce or bypass grid congestion. This mainly revolves around smart energy use and generation, or energy management.

An important step is to spread power consumption throughout the day. By avoiding peak times, such as around lunch time or in the early evening, you can avoid overloading the grid. It can also help to coordinate large consumers through an energy management system.

In addition, local initiatives such as energy hubs are emerging, in which companies make joint arrangements to share and distribute power. Flexibility also plays an increasing role: systems that can temporarily store power or processes that can be postponed help maintain balance on the grid.

Purchasing solar panels against the overloaded power grid

At first glance, installing solar panels may seem like an extra burden on the power grid, but in reality, they can actually help relieve the pressure, if used in a smart way. By generating your own renewable energy, you reduce your dependence on the grid and contribute to a more balanced energy supply.

A major advantage of solar panels is that you can be self-sufficient during the day, when the sun is shining and the demand for power is often highest. As a result, you draw less power from the grid and avoid further burdening the grid. This is especially true when the power generated is used directly, for example by running appliances or processes during the day.

In this sense, solar panels are not only a sustainable investment, but also a strategic choice to actively contribute to a more stable electricity grid.

The role of energy storage systems against grid overloads

Energy storage systems are playing an increasingly important role in solving grid congestion. Whereas the power grid is designed for constant supply and offtake, battery systems provide flexibility. They store excess energy when demand is low or supply is high, and release it when the grid is under pressure. Thus, they act as a buffer between generation and consumption.

For both households and businesses, this means less dependence on the grid at busy times. If you have solar panels, you can store the generated power first and use it yourself at a later time, without burdening the grid with feed-in. Alternatively, you can actually store power from the grid when it is cheap or widely available, and use it at expensive or busy times.

In addition, energy storage systems contribute to a more stable grid frequency and reduce the need for grid reinforcement. Energy storage is thus an essential part of a future-proof energy system and a powerful weapon in the fight against grid overload.

Steps to prevent power grid overloads

Overloading the power grid is a complex problem, but certainly not insoluble. To make the energy supply in the Netherlands future-proof, it is essential that government, grid operators, businesses and consumers act together. Everyone has a role to play in this.

For businesses, there are concrete opportunities. By managing energy more intelligently and storing it locally, dependence on the electricity grid is reduced. This not only contributes to a more stable grid structure, but also provides more control over costs and a more sustainable business model.

As a company, are you looking for ways to optimize your energy consumption, reduce peak loads and actively contribute to solving grid congestion? Then a battery energy storage system is a smart and forward-looking choice. Frax's systems help you use energy efficiently, save costs and make your contribution to a resilient power grid.

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