First pile driven for Boekelermeer energy hub
On May 15th, the groundbreaking ceremony took place for the construction of the energy hub in Boekelermeer. This marks the start of the implementation phase of the project, which will help alleviate grid congestion in the business park and the port. The energy hub is the result of a collaboration between the municipality of Alkmaar, grid operator Liander, and local businesses. New Energy Coalition As the author of the sustainability plan, he played a stimulating and advisory role in the realisation of this development.
Boekelermeer Energy Hub designed as a collective energy system
The energy hub will be designed as a collective energy system where businesses coordinate their electricity consumption. The infrastructure consists of a 5 MWh battery, a local smart grid, and digital control. These elements enable more efficient use of available grid capacity, allowing economic development in the area to continue despite current limitations on the electricity grid.
The system is managed by a Congestion Service Provider (CSP). The CSP supports participating companies in complying with mutual agreements and manages smart load distribution on the grid. This can be done, for example, by using the battery during peak periods or by coordinating energy consumption between companies.
Alderman for Economy, Boekelermeer, Christiaan Peetoom explains: “I'm very proud that this Energy Hub is being built on Boekelermeer. The battery's construction will provide future businesses with power to operate. It's an innovative solution for tackling grid congestion together."
With the start of construction, we're taking another exciting and important step in this project. I'm pleased that we're working together to create opportunities in times of scarcity. This is only possible by collaborating with our customers and partners, such as the municipality of Alkmaar in this case. By making flexible use of the electricity grid, Boekelermeer Haven Cooperative is taking a major step towards the future energy system.
- Ruben van Loon, Liander Regional Manager North Holland
Frank Brandsen, Business Developer & Regional Manager Noord-Holland Noord at New Energy Coalition stressed the importance of cooperation and courage in establishing energy hubs: “This project, just like the next one, requires courage. But we're going to do it together. Thanks to European subsidies, entrepreneurs have truly been given the space to get started."
Construction co-financed by REFORMERS
The construction of the energy hub is co-financed by a European subsidy of €1,1 million from the Horizon Europe programme, within the REFORMERS project. The hub is expected to be operational from November 2025. It will be operated by the soon-to-be-established Boekelermeer Haven Congestion Management Cooperative, in which participating companies collaborate on shared grid management and capacity allocation.
At the end of last year, Liander and the municipality of Alkmaar signed an letter of intent for the pilot project in the Boekelermeer port area. The development in Boekelermeer Port marks a concrete result in the commitment to translate sustainability challenges and grid congestion into feasible, practical solutions within regional development strategies.
REFORMERS
REFORMERS (Regional Ecosystems FOR Multiple-Energy Resilient System) aims to create a CO2-neutral and 100% self-sufficient Renewable Energy Valley in the Alkmaar and Heiloo area. Experiences gained in this "Flagship Valley" will be used to develop a blueprint for the further rollout of Renewable Energy Valleys in Europe.