On industrial estates, energy increasingly plays a central role. Grid congestion, rising energy costs, and the need for sustainability are driving entrepreneurs to collaborate. A collective home battery offers a smart solution in this regard. But how does it work when multiple companies use one or more battery systems together? In this blog, you'll discover everything about shared use, cost sharing, and the benefits of grid relief via collective home batteries.

What are collective home batteries?

Collective home batteries are battery systems used not by one company but jointly by multiple companies on an industrial estate. They store locally generated energy and make it available when companies request it.

Key features:

• The stored energy is distributed based on agreed rules.

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

• Monitoring and control are done centrally through an Energy Management System (EMS).

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

How does shared use work in practice?

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

Step-by-step:

• Analysis of joint energy consumption and generation potential.

• Determining the required storage capacity and investment budget.

• Installation of one or more home batteries at 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.

Advantages of cost sharing in collective batteries

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

Key advantages:

• Lower entry costs per company.

• Shared maintenance and management costs.

• Better bargaining position when purchasing battery systems.

• Ability to collectively utilize subsidies and fiscal benefits.

Thus, home batteries become accessible to many more companies, and collective investments are often more quickly profitable 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 strain on the grid.

• Peak moments are smoothed out because batteries step in.

With home batteries, you not only help your own business but also contribute to a more stable and future-proof energy network on the industrial estate.

The relevance of collective home batteries for industrial estates

Industrial estates are on the cusp of major sustainability changes. Collective solutions like home batteries are essential in this. They enable sustainable growth without sky-high energy costs or dependency on grid operators. By investing now in collective home batteries, industrial estates are ready 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 the energy based on need and agreements.

Must a collective home battery physically be located at one site?
Usually yes, but the energy can be digitally distributed across multiple connections.

How are costs and income divided?
This is done based on a pre-agreed distribution key, such as proportionate to usage or input.

Are 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 steering and clear contracts ensure fair use of the shared storage capacity.

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

Is participation mandatory for all companies on an industrial estate?
No, participation is voluntary, but the more companies join in, the greater the economies of scale.