Dutch solar installer Zonneplan has launched its first ‘smart grid’ system called that will offer customers energy based on real-time prices.
Launched this week (15 November), Slimme energie (Smart Energy) is a virtual power plant (VPP) and peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading system that aims to completely digitise the generation, purchase, sale and storage of electricity.
Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis
Photovoltaics International is now included.
- Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
- In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
- Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
- Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
- Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
- Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual
Zonneplan has been developing Smart Energy for over two years and received permission from the Dutch consumer watchdog to supply energy more than a year ago.
Through an app and via use of a smart meter plug-in dubbed Zonneplan Connect, customers can see what the electricity price and the percentage of renewable generated electricity on the grid every hour.
“We provide insight into the hourly prices for electricity, show what percentage of the electricity on the grid during that hour actually comes from the sun and the wind and we also provide insight into the customer’s energy consumption,” said Zonneplan CEO Paul van der Klooster.
Zonneplan is currently developing a home charging station and has plans for a home battery storage system. “Our technology will soon control these devices automatically and wirelessly. People with a Zonneplan Connect will soon form the largest connected smart grid in the Netherlands. Everyone can then buy, sell, generate and store their own electricity,” said Van der Klooster.
