Pioneering Energy Storage Project Takes off in The Netherlands

Amsterdam's acclaimed battery storage solution provider, Dispatch Grid Services, has kicked off the construction of the Dordrecht 45MW/90MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This project is poised to overtake the 30MW/68MWh Pollux project by SemperPower, claiming the title of the Netherlands' largest independent BESS.

This cutting-edge energy storage undertaking is to be completed collaboratively with infrastructure fund, Epico2, Macquarie Capital, and lender ABN AMRO. Dispatch Grid Services revealed that the Dordrecht energy storage venture signifies the pioneer project in a tactical collaboration with Macquarie Capital. Together, they are geared to bring forth up to 3GWh of BESS projects throughout the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany in the forthcoming seven years.

Dispatch’s CEO and co-founder, Eiso Vaandrager, declared, “Substantial-scale energy storage forms the critical piece in the puzzle of the energy transition.” He added, “By 2030, the Netherlands needs to roll out at least 9GW of battery energy storage capacity – it's essential for Europe to retain a balanced energy grid.”

The robust battery storage system, equipped with 144 Fluence cubes containing advanced lithium-ion sealed cells, boasts a remarkable capacity of 90MWh, capable, on an average, of sustaining an energy supply for an astounding 21,500 households daily.

Highlighting his company's legacy in The Netherlands, Paul McCusker, SVP and president EMEA at Fluence – a Siemens and AES firm – stated, “Fluence has a rich history in the Netherlands, with the introduction of the first ever utility-scale battery storage system.” He further elaborated, “Our Dutch prospects continue to be paramount for Fluence’s prospective growth trajectory, given the escalating demand for energy storage.”

In addition, Equans Netherlands is expected to manage the engineering and construction aspects of the BESS. Dutch energy enterprise, Eneco, is tasked with fine-tuning the battery to ensure optimal performance and maintain grid stability without exacerbating local congestion.