How can we keep our energy affordable, sustainable and reliable? This is a question that more and more communities in the Netherlands are facing. In the Dutch town of Loenen, citizens are also noticing that their electricity grid is becoming saturated, that energy bills can fluctuate considerably and that there is a need for more control over their own energy supply.
That is why residents, businesses and organisations are working together within this SmartCORE pilot project. Their goal: a smarter, more sustainable and more affordable energy system for everyone in the community.
New steps: solar roof and battery
One of the most tangible developments of the pilot project is that a solar roof is becoming switchable, meaning that production can be temporarily reduced if the electricity grid becomes overloaded.
More importantly, this is going to be combined with a large central battery. This battery can store solar power and feed it back into the grid later, exactly when there is demand. This means energy no longer needs to be wasted unnecessarily
To
make this project possible, a group of residents and experts is currently at
work. They are developing the plans, looking for technical and financial
partners, and ensuring that everyone will be able to benefit from it.
Investing with a return
An important aspect is that residents will soon be able to invest in the battery. This means investing local money in a local energy system, with the prospect of a good return. In this way, the wealth stays in the community and contributes to a sustainable future.
Collaboration with local entrepreneurs in Loenen
The project is not only about technology, but also about collaboration. That is why they are working with various entrepreneurs in Loenen. Companies can optimise their energy consumption to coincide with periods of high solar power availability (for example, by shifting production processes or charging electric vehicles).
By better aligning supply and demand locally, it is possible to ease pressure on the grid and reduce costs.
SmartCORE as a testing ground for energy management
The pilot project in Loenen is testing energy management solutions on the ground, by combining a switchable solar roof, a central battery and smart collaboration with entrepreneurs.
Nevertheless,
being SmartCORE an international initiative, the pilot project in Loenen is not
only building solutions for itself, but collaborating with complementary pilot
projects in four neighbouring countries.
Thanks to this collaboration, knowledge and experience are shared across regions, enabling the involved actors to move faster towards smart, sustainable and affordable energy. SmartCORE thus contributes to knowledge and innovation that can be widely applied – locally, nationally and internationally.
Looking ahead
Over the coming months, the working group of this pilot project will further develop the plans for the solar roof and battery. They will also expand the collaboration with entrepreneurs and seek out more residents who want to contribute their ideas or participate.
The goal remains the same: to show that local energy can strengthen community spirit, reduce costs and contribute to a more sustainable country.