The Hague Tests Revolutionary Microgrid That Cuts Energy Waste by 1 MW in Beach District
The Hague, Saturday, 27 December 2025.
The Dutch coastal city has launched Europe’s most advanced neighborhood energy system, connecting solar panels from beach pavilions and municipal buildings through artificial intelligence. The Slim Strandnet project uses machine learning to predict energy demand and stores surplus power in a 360 kWh battery system, creating a cooperative where local businesses and government share profits from optimized energy trading.
A Cooperative Model for Urban Energy Innovation
The Slim Strandnet project, which began operations in 2024, represents a groundbreaking collaboration between The Hague municipality, grid operator Stedin, and local entrepreneurs in Scheveningen [1]. This innovative microgrid combines approximately 1 MW of power capacity, connecting solar panels from beach kiosks and pavilions with municipal facilities through an integrated battery storage system [1]. The project functions as a private energy network that maximizes the utilization of locally generated renewable energy while reducing dependence on the broader electrical grid [1].
Smart Technology Powers Predictive Energy Management
At the heart of Slim Strandnet lies a sophisticated 360 kWh battery system that stores energy surpluses and redistributes power during periods of shortage [1]. The microgrid employs smart meters and sensors that collect real-time data, processed through an open-source Energy Management System (EMS) developed by OpenRemote [1]. This EMS utilizes optimization algorithms and machine learning capabilities to predict both energy demand and generation patterns based on historical consumption data and weather forecasts [1]. The artificial intelligence component supports human decision-making rather than replacing it entirely, ensuring that the system remains responsive to local community needs [1].
Revenue Sharing Through Democratic Energy Governance
The governance structure of Slim Strandnet operates as a cooperative model where participants including the municipality and beach pavilion operators collaborate on key decisions regarding energy priorities, tariff structures, and revenue distribution [1]. This democratic approach ensures that all stakeholders have a voice in how the locally generated energy profits are shared among community members [1]. Since April 2024, Scheveningen entrepreneurs and municipal services have been successfully operating this local energy network, which optimizes daily energy consumption using digital infrastructure provided by Kersten Techniek alongside the generated solar power and battery storage [2].
Scaling Challenges and Future Implementation
While Slim Strandnet demonstrates significant potential for reducing energy waste and improving local sustainability, the project faces important challenges in expanding to other urban contexts [1]. The initiative presents three primary future hurdles: scaling the model to different city environments, ensuring transparency in algorithmic decision-making processes, and establishing proper legal safeguards in relation to the new Energy Law [1]. These challenges highlight the complexity of implementing advanced microgrid systems beyond pilot projects, particularly as Dutch municipalities seek to replicate this innovative approach to distributed energy management across various neighborhood settings [1].