The term energy hub is increasingly mentioned in discussions about the future of energy in industrial areas. But what exactly is it, and why is it so relevant? An energy hub – also known as energy hub or energy hub – is an intelligent solution where multiple companies collaborate to distribute, store, and utilize locally generated energy. Instead of each company trading energy independently, a joint infrastructure is set up to manage peak loads and deploy sustainable energy more efficiently. This approach is particularly attractive in industrial areas where many companies are concentrated, and the grid capacity is under pressure. The benefits are both economic and ecological: lower energy costs, more stable energy supply, and a faster transition to sustainable operations.

How does an energy hub work exactly?

An energy hub functions as a local energy network where various energy sources converge. Think of solar energy from company buildings, wind energy, or battery systems. The generated energy is centrally managed, often with the help of a smart energy management system. Companies needing energy at that time can take it directly from the hub, while excess energy is temporarily stored or fed back into the grid. This balances electricity consumption among the connected parties without unnecessarily overloading the power grid.

Additionally, the energy hub provides insight into the consumption of all participants. Based on this information, companies can organize their processes more efficiently and respond to peaks and dips in supply and demand. This is crucial for an energy hub in an industrial area: there is a constantly fluctuating energy consumption that can be organized much more sustainably and cheaply with smart control.

The benefits of an energy hub for entrepreneurs

The collective use of energy through an energy hub offers clear benefits for entrepreneurs. There are significant gains to be made in terms of costs, sustainability, and reliability:

• Lower energy costs: By distributing energy among themselves, less dependency on the public grid is created.

• Smart energy storage: Energy is not wasted but stored for later use.

• More control and insight: Real-time data provides control over consumption and costs.

• Future-proofing: Energy hubs contribute to CO2-neutral operations.

• Relief of the electricity grid: Essential in areas with grid congestion.

An additional advantage is the ability to apply for subsidies or benefit from municipal sustainability projects, which increasingly revolve around establishing a shared energy infrastructure.

Energy hub industrial area as a solution for grid congestion

In industrial areas, the energy network is often overloaded. New connections face long wait times or capacity restrictions. An energy hub industrial area offers a solution. By generating energy locally, sharing it among each other, and storing it smartly, a self-sufficient system is created that puts less pressure on the public grid. This enables the expansion or electrification of processes without delay.

Moreover, it becomes easier to connect new technologies such as electric trucks, heat pumps, or production lines to sustainable energy. In some cases, a battery container is also used, serving as central storage for excess energy and helping to balance demand.

Is an energy hub suitable for every industrial area?

While the benefits are clear, an energy hub is not automatically directly applicable to every industrial area. Important factors include the willingness of companies to cooperate, the presence of sustainable generation capacity, and the available space for storage solutions. However, there are more and more success stories in the Netherlands showing that cooperation pays off – both for large industrial areas and smaller clusters of SMEs.

Additionally, there are parties and consultancies that assist in setting up an energy hub for an industrial area. They conduct technical feasibility studies, guide subsidy applications, and configure the system to remain scalable towards the future.

The role of policy and legislation in energy hubs

Municipalities, provinces, and the national government encourage the establishment of energy hubs, especially in areas where grid congestion threatens. Various subsidies and schemes are available, such as the SDE++ or investment subsidies for battery storage. Furthermore, governments are working towards a more favorable fiscal climate for collective energy initiatives.

An important point of attention is the legal framework: who is responsible for the network, who manages the data, and how are costs fairly distributed? These matters must be properly established in cooperation agreements or cooperative models in advance.

Frequently asked questions about energy hubs

What is the difference between an energy hub and a microgrid?
A microgrid is often a small-scale, autonomous network, whereas an energy hub focuses on collaboration between multiple companies or buildings within one area.

Can I, as a small business, join an energy hub in an industrial area?
Yes, definitely. By joining forces with other companies, you can benefit from economies of scale.

Is it mandatory to generate sustainable energy to participate?
No, but it does make it more attractive. Companies with solar panels or other generation capacity can deploy their surplus more efficiently within the hub.

Who manages an energy hub?
This varies by project. Sometimes it's an external party; other times, it's arranged through a cooperative of participating companies.

How much does participation in an energy hub cost?
The costs depend on the infrastructure, the number of participants, and the chosen technologies. Often, subsidies are available that cover a large part of the investment.

What if I need more power than is available in the hub?
Then the difference is still supplied via the regular electricity grid, but often the need for this is considerably lower.