Energy Hubs – the solution to grid congestion?

The topic of grid congestion is high on the agenda for energy professionals, as evidenced by the huge turnout at this session: the tent was packed…

With increasing pressure on the electricity grid, the need for concrete solutions is urgent. Energy hubs, where various energy sources and systems are integrated locally, offer opportunities to relieve the burden on the national grid. Businesses, knowledge institutions, governments, and the affected communities collaborate in these hubs.

The session was part of the project Learning Community System Integration van Top Sector EnergieThis community focuses on knowledge sharing and promoting innovative projects related to system integration. During the meeting, four practical cases were presented, each contributing in its own way to the development of energy hubs.

Practical cases

Sjoerd de Vries (Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen)
As project leader of the learning community, De Vries opened the session and emphasized the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Pieter van Schaik (TU Delft – The Green Village)
He explained a project that converts excess solar energy into hydrogen for winter use. While technically feasible, the business case for seasonal storage in the built environment remains challenging.

Caroline van der Kooi (AUAS – Atelier project)
Discussed the European project Atelier, aimed at developing Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) In Amsterdam and Bilbao. The goal: to produce more sustainable energy than we consume annually. Energy exchange between buildings and a local trading platform are key elements here.

Rita Garcia Peran (Saxion University of Applied Sciences – The Ecofactory)
Presented the De Ecofactorij business park near Apeldoorn. Here, sustainability is promoted through green plots, solar panels on roofs, heat pumps, smart water management, and future-proof construction.

Han Meerman (HAN – Wolfheze)
Shared experiences from Wolfheze, where a residential area has been established with solar panels and hydrogen storage. The goal is to be self-sufficient in electricity and heat, using seasonal storage.

Key takeaways

• New construction offers more opportunities for integration of smart energy systems than existing construction.
• The current safety regulations for hydrogen are based on industrial applications and are therefore high-level, but also burdensome and bureaucratic for the regular built environment.
• Eliminating net metering can contribute to the financial viability of local energy storage, although scalable seasonal storage remains a major challenge.
• Grid congestion gives rise to alternative revenue models as companies seek their own solutions to secure their energy supply.
• Innovation projects are essential: they contribute to finding solutions, and without action, nothing changes.

Are you interested in further developing energy hubs and sharing knowledge? Join the Learning Community System Integration.

About New Energy Forum

New Energy Forum is the festival for (aspiring) mobility and energy professionals and anyone concerned with a livable future. It's an annual initiative of our organization (New Energy Coalition). Entrance, Hanze & Hive Mobility at the Entrance test site on Zernike Campus Groningen. The Entrance Award will also be presented during the festival: the prize for pioneers in the energy transition. 

On June 19, 2025, Groningen was once again the vibrant hub of the energy and mobility transition during New Energy Forum. This unique event, now boasting five successful editions, is much more than a traditional conference. It's the most distinctive energy festival in the Northern Netherlands, unique in its format thanks to its combination of content, networking, and experience, with this edition as a standout. This edition was entirely dedicated to DO!ers – the place where action takes center stage. Over 1.700 visitors gathered at the Entrance test site.