Making the right choices when it comes to energy storage

The energy transition is already in full swing and the demand for sustainable solutions for sustainable energy is growing rapidly. During the second edition of the well-attended Energy Storage event the 398 visitors were presented with a wide range of solutions for their energy issues.

By: Dimitri Reijerman

The lecture program was opened by Aswin Linden of Heliox. This Dutch company offers chargers for buses and ships, among other things. Linden provided insight into the advantages and disadvantages of the various charging strategies and the optimal combination of depot charging and opportunity charging.

He also showed how money can be made using local energy storage in combination with smart grids, for example by offering peak shaving. During peak times, electricity is fed back into the grid, while sustainable energy is stored when demand is lower.

Direct current is also receiving more and more attention. Henry Lootens of Stichting Gelijkspanning Nederland sees the battery as the last piece of the puzzle in the energy landscape and in his lecture indicated how direct current can simplify the entire energy system and make it reliable. “Fewer variables, that's what it's all about. Maybe we should start reasoning the other way around,” says Lootens.

Diverse tracks

After the break, visitors to the Energy Storage event were given the choice of three tracks with the themes technology & applications, test & measurement and finally legislation and safety. Colin Ouwerling from Denios talked about the risks of lithium-ion batteries and how risks can be reduced. For example, batteries can catch fire due to manufacturing defects, damage, high temperatures and incorrect charging.

The risks of fire in storage systems can be reduced if companies pay attention to work processes, take preventive measures and make appropriate provisions. It is also important to comply with European standards for fire resistance and ventilation, among other things.

Jeroen Kroesbergen of Wetac Battery Company stated in his lecture that the energy transition is changing the energy system in the Netherlands from demand-driven to supply-driven, with supply becoming less predictable and constant. In order to increase predictability, energy storage systems must store and deliver power more reliably. Because the dangers of thermal runaway should not be underestimated.

Testing batteries

In the Test & Meet track, Wesley Witteveen spoke about the different ways of testing batteries. After all, we set high standards for batteries, while they also shouldn't cost too much. Witteveen talked about climate chambers to test batteries, something that is already very common, especially in the automotive sector.

Another important safety feature is the presence of a good battery management system. Sander Kool, working at Engineering Spirit, gave an in-depth lecture on how these BMS systems can be tested properly. For example, they must reliably provide short-circuit protection, deep discharge protection and prevent batteries from being overcharged. BMS systems based on a microprocessor in particular can help with this.

After the lectures in all tracks, the stage was for Mark Bolech of TNO. In his plenary lecture he gave a helicopter view of the energy landscape and the most important developments in this field. As he had already said in a interview with FHI indicated that energy storage systems that are affordable play a key role. This completed the sustainable circle and the event was concluded with a well-attended reception.