the reception center of the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) in Zaandam, a battery storage system ensures a reliable energy supply for the site, minimizing the use of diesel generators running on ecological diesel. Together with Electroproject and EQUANS, we have implemented an integrated energy solution that supplements the limited grid capacity and significantly reduces emissions.
Energy storage as a supplement to limited grid capacity
The reception center in Zaandam accommodates more than a thousand residents. During the day, the available grid capacity is contractually limited to 550 kW, while energy consumption is at its peak during those hours. At night, more capacity is available, up to 1,700 kW.
This imbalance made it necessary to temporarily store energy. Two of our Intercel LFP battery systems, each with a capacity of 3.4 MWh, store energy at night and return it during the day. This keeps consumption within the available grid capacity, while diesel generators run only when really needed.
According to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), we are using more and more electricity while consuming less gas. As a result, both the use and generation of electricity are increasing, while the grid is not yet equipped to handle this. The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) aims to take measures at both existing and new locations to keep energy consumption as low as possible.
“This past spring and summer, the diesels barely ran, so the additional emissions were virtually zero,” says Juan Catena of Electroproject. “It’s not so much that we completely replaced the diesels, but that we provided an integral solution to the energy shortage from the grid. The batteries store energy at night and feed it back during the day, reducing the grid load and running the diesels only when really needed. So far, the system has proven to be excellent.”
Juan Catena
Sales Support Manager of Electroproject b.v.
Smart control and rapid implementation
The solution was realized in a short time: the total delivery time was 20 weeks, while the implementation at COA itself, including multiple moments of consultation, simulations and software testing, took less than two months.
The containerized LFP battery systems were integrated into the existing infrastructure in close cooperation with Electroproject. Intelligent software ensures that peak loads are automatically handled by the batteries, so that the diesel generators operate optimally and with minimal fuel consumption. In addition, the modular design provides room for future expansion, for example with additional battery capacity or other sustainable technologies.
The combination of advanced technology and smart control ensures a long system lifespan and provides flexibility for future expansions with additional assets or new technologies. This integrated approach serves as an example of how sustainable and reliable energy supply can be achieved in sensitive environments.
About Electroproject
Electroproject is a Dutch specialist in energy and drive technology with over 80 years of experience. The company provides both complete solutions and individual systems across four technical disciplines and operates worldwide. Thanks to their collaboration within Equans, it gains additional strength in sustainable and technological services.
Sustainable energy supply for social locations
This approach provides COA with a reliable and sustainable power supply that matches the social function of the site. The solution reduces both CO₂ and nitrogen emissions and contributes to quieter, cleaner and safer living conditions for residents and neighbors.
