On business parks, energy is increasingly becoming a central focus. Grid congestion, rising energy costs, and the need for sustainability are prompting entrepreneurs to collaborate. A collective home battery offers a smart solution in this regard. But how does it work exactly when multiple companies use one or more battery systems together? In this blog, you'll discover everything about joint usage, cost sharing, and the benefits of grid relief through collective home batteries.

What are collective home batteries?

Collective home batteries are battery systems that are not used by a single company, but by multiple companies on a business park together. They store locally generated energy and make it available when companies request it.

Key features:

• The stored energy is distributed based on agreed-upon rules.

• Energy surpluses from one company can be utilized by another.

• Monitoring and control are carried out centrally via an Energy Management System (EMS).

By collectively utilizing home batteries, companies can achieve more return from their sustainable initiatives and reduce their dependence on the electricity grid.

How does joint usage work in practice?

Storing energy together requires clear agreements and smart technology. A collective battery project always begins with a joint plan, in which usage patterns, generation, and cost distribution are established.

Step-by-step:

• Analyzing joint energy consumption and generation potential.

• Determining the required storage capacity and investment budget.

• Installation of one or more home batteries in a strategic location.

• Central EMS system that intelligently distributes and monitors usage and storage.

Companies opting for shared use of home batteries benefit from economies of scale and significantly improved energy efficiency.

Benefits of cost sharing with collective batteries

Investing in energy storage is not cheap. By sharing the costs, participation in a battery project becomes more accessible for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Key benefits:

• Lower entry costs per company.

• Joint maintenance and management costs.

• Better negotiating position when purchasing battery systems.

• Ability to collectively take advantage of subsidies and tax benefits.

Home batteries thus become accessible to many more companies, and collective investments are often profitable faster than individual solutions.

Grid relief: less pressure on the electricity grid

Grid congestion is a growing problem in the Netherlands. By storing energy together and absorbing peak loads, collective home batteries reduce the pressure on the electricity grid.

This is how grid relief works:

• Energy sustainably generated during the day is stored locally.

• Companies consume that energy later in the day without putting extra burden on the grid.

• Peak moments are flattened as batteries kick in.

With home batteries, you not only help your own company but also contribute to a more stable and future-ready energy network in the business park.

The relevance of collective home batteries for business parks

Business parks are on the brink of major sustainability transitions. Collective solutions like home batteries are essential in this regard. They enable sustainable growth without skyrocketing energy costs or dependency on grid operators. By investing in collective home batteries now, business parks are prepared for a future where energy is smart, green, and affordable.

Frequently asked questions about collective home batteries

Can companies with different energy needs use one battery together?
Yes, a smart EMS system distributes energy based on need and agreements.

Does a collective home battery need to be physically located in one place?
Usually yes, but energy can be digitally distributed across multiple connections.

How are the costs and revenues distributed?
This is done based on a predetermined distribution key, for example, proportionate to usage or contribution.

Are there subsidies available for collective batteries?
Yes, collective projects can often apply for sustainable investment subsidies and tax schemes like the EIA.

What happens if one company consumes much more than the others?
Smart management and clear contracts ensure that everyone fairly benefits from the shared storage capacity.

How many companies can share one home battery?
That depends on the size of the battery and the total energy consumption, but groups of 5 to 20 companies are common.

Is participation mandatory for all companies in a business park?
No, participation is voluntary, but the more companies join, the greater the economies of scale.