The power to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources could rest in the hands of local communities. New research suggests decentralized, smart microgrid systems are capable of providing most, if not all, of our future energy needs. The Netherlands is pioneering a new approach to generati Contact online >>
The power to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources could rest in the hands of local communities. New research suggests decentralized, smart microgrid systems are capable of providing most, if not all, of our future energy needs. The Netherlands is pioneering a new approach to generating and sharing energy which could mean neighborhoods of the near future could produce their own renewable power.
If optimized effectively, the grids could serve as a focal point in the country''s drive to adopt renewable energies. The report''s author, Florijn de Graaf, predicts almost half of all EU households will generate renewable energy by 2050, with a third of these working as part of a local energy community.
Sweden leads the charge among EU countries with 53.8% of its energy output generated by renewable sources, already surpassing its 2020 target of 49%. The Netherlands is some way behind with a current total of 6%, but there is room for optimism. Optimized properly, microgrids could play a vital part in supporting efforts to transition to renewable energy systems and meet climate targets.
Currently, microgrids power individual appliances – like cars or heat pumps – in isolation, which places heavy demands on the system; much like an electricity power socket overloaded with too many plugs. As more appliances are added, expensive upgrades may be required to sustain the power supply.
A SIDE network uses an intelligent management system to integrate different components and balance local supply and demand, reducing costs. For example, solar panels collect energy when the sun shines and charge electric vehicles; any surplus power is either stored in a battery or sent by the system to power other houses in the community.
The ultimate goal is to use SIDE technology to create future "Smarthoods" where circular flows of water, food and energy would make communities entirely self-sufficient, recycling water, materials and waste wherever viable.
If the success of the Dutch trials can be replicated at scale, this could dramatically alter the energy landscape and go some way towards achieving the ambitious renewable energy targets set by the Netherlands.
Success on a global scale will depend on many country-specific factors, like energy policy and regulations. Places with plenty of wind, water and sunshine – especially if accompanied by high local electricity prices and costly energy tariffs – should, in theory, be good candidates for microgrids.
A new report funded by the Dutch government finds that microgrid technologies could make a local "techno-economy" 90 percent self-sufficient, through the decentralised sharing of energy at the local level between multiple households.
The new approach could even pave the way for "100 percent self-sufficiency in power, heat, and water, and 50 percent self-sufficiency in food production", according to the report''s author, energy systems engineer Florijn de Graaf.
If optimized properly, microgrids could play a pivotal role in supporting efforts to transition to renewable energy systems and meet climate targets, finds the report published by Netherlands-based energy systems company Metabolic. The report was funded by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency.
Reaching that goal will require an extraordinary level of effort by any standard. But the use of microgrids—decentralised energy grids that intelligently balance the local supply and demand of distributed clean energy resources—could avoid the need for massive spending on infrastructure upgrades.
According to the new report, titled New Strategies For Smart Integrated Decentralised Energy Systems, by 2050 almost half of all EU households will produce renewable energy. Of these, more than a third will participate in a local energy community. In this context, the microgrid opportunity could be a game changer.
The report describes microgrids as the end result the combination of several technological trends, namely, rooftop solar, electric vehicles, heat pumps and batteries for storage. The key is that these technologies are decentralized—they can easily be owned by consumers and cooperatives in local systems.
Currently, he said, the way in which we use these technologies is, in his words, "dumb." We simply attach solar panels, heat pumps, and electric vehicles to the grid for their own separate purposes. This dramatically increases the load on the local grid, requiring costly infrastructure upgrades to sustain the system.
This is where what the Metabolic report calls "SIDE" systems come in – standing for "Smart Integrated Decentralised Energy." SIDE systems provide a way to intelligently integrate different technologies to balance supply and demand locally in a way that prevents high costs.
"This integration should be done through an intelligent energy management system, that will charge your car when the sun is shining, and export excess electricity production to your neighbour’s heat pump: a smart-grid," said de Graaf. "Ultimately, this smart, decentralised integration democratises energy production and consumption, and allows consumers and cooperatives to take control of their own energy supply, which will help facilitate the renewable energy transition from the bottom-up."
The Metabolic report''s findings are based on real-world data extracted from four cases in Amsterdam. One the cases that stood out is the Ardehuizen, a near self-sufficient ecovillage consisting of 23 "Earthship" houses.
"By using mostly recycled, locally sourced, and low-impact construction materials, the Earthship design focuses on minimising the ecological footprint of its inhabitants," explains the report. The systems in place at the Ardehuizen include heat pumps, electric boilers, solar thermal and photovoltaic panels, wood stoves and grid connections.
About Florida microgrids netherlands
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Florida microgrids netherlands have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Florida microgrids netherlands for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Florida microgrids netherlands featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
