The energy transition is in full swing and more and more companies are opting to install solar panels. 'However, the disadvantage of solar panels is that they are switched off by the grid operator when the grid is in danger of being overloaded,' is the experience of nurseryman Luchiard Oostvogels in Achtmaal. 'That's why we recently invested in a new battery storage system and associated software from Dynapods. As a result, we now have our own power plant on our nursery.'

Oostvogels started in 1996 as a one-man business with 4 hectares and mainly grows forest and hedge planting used for landscaping green spaces and as streetscape decoration. Nowadays, forest and hedge planting is also widely used for noise barriers and estates. Hundreds of thousands of plants are also grown here in containers. The company now comprises 20 hectares of open field cultivation and 9 hectares of container cultivation. In addition, the company is in the fortunate position of having almost all its plots in the vicinity of the company, so that it can switch quickly.

About six years ago, the entrepreneur decided to install solar panels on his farm. 'At the time, the EAN green code scheme and the Energy Investment Allowance (EIA) made that attractive for us,' says Oostvogels. 'But soon we had to deal with the fact that the grid voltage sometimes rose too high when the sun shone, causing the power supply to blow out and the panels to shut down. As a result, our panels were regularly off while the sun was shining brightly.'

On the one hand, this cost money, as the company had to buy power from the grid at those times, and on the other hand, we had to deal with a more unstable power grid as more and more people in the area started putting solar panels on their roofs. 'As a result, we faced more and more power cuts and peak voltages. That was a reason for us to start thinking about how we could find a solution to this, so that the company could keep going even in the event of power cuts,' says Oostvogels.

Attractive offer

That solution came his way by chance, according to Oostvogels. Through Oostvogels' brother, Dynapods' account manager came along at the right time with a clear and straightforward story and an attractive offer.  Over a month ago, the company installed a container battery with 100 KWH of storage capacity at Oostvogels' tree nursery. Through an app, Luchiard and Sophia Oostvogels can see exactly how the storage and consumption of energy is going. Excess solar energy is stored during the day and can be used in the evening. At times when the sun is not shining, batteries can be charged through the software at times when tariffs are low. Surplus power is then automatically sold again by the same software at times when tariffs are high.

Dynapods' systems are equipped with iron phosphate batteries. The advantages of these batteries include that they are extremely safe and have a long service life. They are also environmentally friendly and require no maintenance.

Source: Nieuwe Oogst and Dynapods