Resolving grid congestion with a generator
Bryntell rents out sustainable generators for locations where the grid has reached its limits. Our generators solve problems such as grid congestion. But what exactly is grid congestion, and how can you solve this problem? In just 5 minutes, you’ll learn what this problem entails and how we solve it.
What is grid congestion?
Airports electrify ground equipment
Definition
Grid congestion is simply a traffic jam on the electricity grid. When peak demand caused by heavy electricity consumption or a surplus of solar power fed back into the grid exceeds the grid’s capacity, the grid becomes overloaded (locally).
How does grid congestion occur?
The problem is driven by the rapid energy transition. A ‘mismatch’ has emerged between electricity consumption and generation on the one hand, and the available grid capacity on the other. The main causes are:
- Rising demand for electricity: The widespread switch to heat pumps, electric transport (from passenger cars to heavy equipment) and the electrification of business processes in SMEs, logistics, construction and infrastructure, and industry. This explosive increase in peak load means that during busy periods, the grid can no longer transport the amount of electricity being demanded.
- Peak load caused by renewable generation: The explosive growth of solar farms, commercial rooftop solar panels and wind turbines. When all these installations feed electricity back into the grid at the same time during sunny or windy conditions, the network's capacity on the supply side is immediately exceeded.
What does this mean in practice?
No expansion or new connection possible:
If you apply for a larger connection (for example, to expand your machinery), you will be placed on a waiting list. You simply won’t get the capacity you need right away. This can often take months or even years.Financial and operational downtime:
Construction plans are delayed, new-build sites cannot be brought into use, and the transition to a sustainable fleet or a gas-free building comes to a standstill.Solar inverters shutting down:
Does your business have a roof full of solar panels? During sunny peak periods, the voltage on the local grid rises. As soon as it exceeds the legal limit of 253 volts, the inverters shut down automatically. At that point, you generate nothing and therefore feed nothing back into the grid.Power curtailment (congestion management):
Larger business connections participating in congestion management receive a signal from the grid operator during peak periods telling them to temporarily reduce the amount of electricity they consume or feed back into the grid.
Grid congestion solutions
Keep your organization moving
Although grid operators are working on a large scale to physically reinforce the electricity grid, building this infrastructure takes years. Businesses that want to expand, become more sustainable or safeguard continuity cannot afford to wait.
To reduce dependence on the overloaded grid, we look at decentralized energy solutions. Here, we discuss four widely discussed solutions.
- Smart energy storage
Business battery systems allow you to store solar energy you generate yourself or charge the battery during off-peak hours. You can then use this energy during peak periods (peak shaving). This prevents overloading your connection and allows you to expand without a heavier grid connection. - Generators: extra off-grid capacity
Generators provide a solution for locations where the grid connection is simply insufficient or unavailable. They provide a reliable local power supply. This ensures that temporary projects, construction sites and energy-intensive business operations can continue without interruption. - Local energy management (EMS)
An Energy Management System automatically manages energy flows on site. The system continuously coordinates generation, storage and consumption (such as charging stations and machinery). This helps you stay within your contracted capacity and take advantage of dynamic energy prices. - Congestion management and Energy Hubs
More and more businesses are joining forces on business parks through local Energy Hubs. By sharing electricity with each other or making agreements with the grid operator about flexible consumption, they create more capacity on the existing grid.
Examples of
grid congestion solutions
Examples of grid congestion solutions
Mobilis
Reliable energy and continuity on the construction site. We supplied infrastructure contractor Mobilis with 250 kW of continuous power, without nitrogen deposition. This kept the construction site running autonomously.
Schiphol (TCR-KES)
Electric airport transport is already possible. A successful pilot by Bryntell and TCR-KES at Schiphol proves it. Ground support equipment, including that of KLM, was charged without any issues.
Grid congestion FAQ
Airports electrify ground equipment
Problem and solution
Grid congestion is an overload of the electricity grid. It occurs when the demand for electricity or the supply of generated energy exceeds the grid’s capacity.
Yes, a generator immediately provides independent power on-site, allowing work or business operations to continue without delay when the grid cannot meet demand.
Yes, we provide complete off-grid power solutions for locations with no grid connection or one that is too small. We supply generators and hybrid solutions (a generator plus a battery).
With a temporary or permanent decentralized solution, such as a generator or battery system, you are no longer dependent on the grid operator’s capacity. You have your own reliable power source immediately. A hybrid setup combining a generator and a battery is also widely used.
Yes, provided the generator complies with the applicable environmental standards. We provide solutions that emit “net zero” emissions. We also offer gensets with ultra-low emissions.
Peak shaving handles short periods of peak demand using energy from an additional source, such as a battery, generator or hybrid setup. This keeps electricity demand within your contracted capacity, prevents costly or lengthy grid upgrades and contributes to the stability of the energy network.
The rapid energy transition. The explosive increase in electric vehicles, heat pumps and heavy electrical machinery coincides with the growth of renewable solar and wind energy, which the grid was not designed to handle.
Specifications and logistics
Yes, we also provide hybrid setups that combine a generator with a battery. The battery handles the base load, and the generator automatically kicks in during peak demand.
Grid-parallel operation works alongside the existing grid connection to provide extra power. Off-grid and island mode both mean that the installation operates completely independently of the power grid. The difference is that off-grid is used at locations with no grid connection at all, while island mode is activated when an existing grid connection fails or is deliberately disconnected.
In most cases, we have generators in stock. Once on site, the generators are operational within minutes. Bryntell provides a complete energy solution, including installation, monitoring and support.
Yes, this is possible, although in practice it is usually not necessary. Ask our specialists for advice. Together, we’ll look at your power requirements and emissions requirements and create a tailored energy solution.
Yes, by operating the installation in parallel with the grid, the generator seamlessly supplements the existing grid connection.
Bryntell takes care of the complete management. We monitor remotely, proactively arrange delivery of our sustainable BS19 biofuel (a blend whose main component is biomethanol), and carry out periodic maintenance on site.
That depends on several factors, such as:
- The peak load when certain devices start up
- The combined power of all equipment connected at the same time
- Safety margin (around 15%–20%)
Our specialists will calculate your exact power requirements. Request a free analysis now.
No, our generators are housed in soundproof enclosures. At a distance of 1 meter, the noise level is approximately 70 dB, comparable to a normal conversation.
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Let’s
meet!
Clean energy, flexibly deployed
anytime, anywhere
Let’s meet!
Let’s
meet!
Clean energy, flexibly deployed
anytime, anywhere
Let’s meet!
Clean energy, flexibly deployed
anytime, anywhere
