SunCatch Solarsystems: the total solution for your energy management

The Dutch power grid is becoming increasingly congested, due to the increasing need for power for electric cars, heat pumps, solar panels and the electrification of production processes. According to Erik Hoffland, founder of SunCatch Solar Systems from Goor in Overijssel, there is a solution.

“The grid is full. There is grid congestion and that can lead to power cuts,” Hoffland says. Grid operators then sometimes have to take forced measures, such as refusing new connections. And new infrastructure? That takes time: “The construction of new high-voltage substations and connections takes eight to 10 years on average.” To avoid problems, grid operators are asking companies to be more flexible with their energy. For example, by spreading peak consumption, using batteries for storage and planning energy consumption more intelligently. “Together, we face a big challenge,” says marketing manager Ronald Foks. “Fortunately, there are solutions. Think of deploying smart energy management systems that optimise consumption and help avoid peak moments. This situation also requires further forward planning and cooperation with energy management specialists.”

Smarter planning

Another important step is for petrol stations and shops to consciously keep to the contracted power: the maximum power you are allowed to take off or feed back to the grid at any time. “In the Netherlands, every connection has such a limit,” says Foks. “We used to be able to increase that capacity easily, but nowadays new applications are put on a waiting list. Exceeding this capacity can lead to overloading and even high fines. That is why it is important for companies to be more conscious of their consumption.”
One solution is ‘load balancing’, where electric vehicles are not charged all at once, but in phases. Foks: “Many tank shops think they have no more room for electric charging, but with smart energy management, this is actually possible. By cleverly distributing the power consumption of equipment and charging stations, you get more out of your existing connection.”

Action

Hoffland underlines the importance of action: “We provide total energy management solutions to the business market, including smart combinations of solar panels, battery systems and charging poles that work together seamlessly within a full-service petrol station. We help companies gain insight into their consumption profiles and peak loads so they can make better choices. And to companies who have to wait a long time for a connection or expansion, I say: take the initiative yourself, supported by a party like SunCatch – a partner who knows what it’s all about and is there for you 24/7.”

Getting started step by step

SunCatch advises companies to get to grips with their situation via a clear step-by-step plan:
1. Request your metering data – This provides insight into your energy use.
2. Create an energy profile – Where, when and how much power do you use or supply?
3. Analyse the profile – This is how you discover peak moments and bottlenecks.
4. Investigate savings – See where you can save or move energy.
5. Optimise your capacity – Use energy solutions such as batteries or load balancing.
6. Work together – By engaging an energy management specialist, you use grid capacity more efficiently.

More information: SunCatch Solarsystems | tel: (0547) 71 23 00 | info@suncatch.nl | www.suncatch.nl