Dutch Hospital Partners with Battery Company to Combat Grid Congestion Crisis
Netherlands, Friday, 23 January 2026.
Nij Smellinghe hospital becomes the first Dutch healthcare facility to deploy smart battery storage, partnering with AQ Storage to install a 1.6 MW system starting March 2026. The innovative approach addresses the Netherlands’ critical grid congestion problem while enabling sustainability goals. AQ Storage’s algorithm makes predictions every 15 minutes using weather data and market signals to optimize battery performance. The company aims to create a virtual nationwide battery network by 2031, transforming how Dutch businesses access renewable energy without expensive grid upgrades.
Strategic Partnership Addresses Critical Infrastructure Challenges
Nij Smellinghe hospital in Drachten has established Energie Hub Drachten B.V. with AQ Storage to deploy a 1.6 MW lithium battery system with 3.08 MWh capacity [1][2]. The collaboration represents a fundamental shift in how Dutch healthcare institutions approach energy security, with construction scheduled to begin in March or April 2026 and the system becoming operational before summer 2026 [1][2]. The timing reflects growing urgency around grid congestion issues that have made traditional grid expansion both costly and time-consuming [GPT]. Folkert Brouwers, director of Business and Buildings at Nij Smellinghe, emphasized the dual benefit: “With the battery, we keep our power supply reliable, even when the grid is exceptionally loaded. And we actively contribute to the solution for the overcrowded electricity grid (grid congestion) in the region” [1][2].
Intelligent Algorithm Drives Real-Time Grid Optimization
AQ Storage’s competitive advantage lies in its sophisticated predictive technology developed by Energy Flexibility Solutions (EFS), which makes new predictions every 15 minutes for the next 24 hours [3]. The algorithm integrates weather forecasts, market signals, expected consumption profiles, and grid status to determine optimal charging and discharging cycles for grid stabilization [3]. This technological approach enables seamless integration with existing Energy Management Systems, making battery installations significantly more valuable than standalone storage solutions [3]. David van Arend from AQ Storage explains the customer-focused approach: “The entrepreneurs do not have to dive into the technical side of battery storage, but can take advantage of our knowledge and experience” [3]. The system utilizes existing grid capacity rather than requiring new connections, making deployment faster and more cost-effective [3].
Hospital’s Renewable Energy Journey Sets Industry Precedent
Nij Smellinghe’s energy transformation began in 2019 with its first solar carport installation, establishing a foundation for current sustainability initiatives [1][2]. The hospital now generates approximately 3 million kWh annually from solar panels across roofs and parking areas, equivalent to powering about 1,200 households, with 75% of this energy used directly on-site [1][2]. The hospital has become the first in the Netherlands to combine battery storage with solar carports, thermal energy storage systems (WKO’s), and charging stations in an integrated approach [1]. This comprehensive energy strategy supports ambitious climate targets: complete elimination of gas usage by 2027 and zero CO₂ emissions from energy by 2030 [2]. The hospital’s agreement with grid operator Liander provides flexibility for additional electrical power usage when grid conditions permit, managed through a smart Energy Management System that adjusts operations based on congestion alerts [1][2].
Vision for Netherlands-Wide Virtual Battery Network
AQ Storage, founded through a partnership between D4 and Energy Flexibility Solutions in January 2026, has articulated an ambitious five-year plan to create a national virtual battery network [3]. Michiel Ottevanger from D4 outlined the collaborative business model: “We set up a company together with that paprika grower or that healthcare institution, share risks together and share the proceeds together. That works much better than us putting down a standard product” [3]. By 2031, the company aims to establish a portfolio of batteries across various Dutch companies that can function collectively as a single intelligent virtual battery for the Netherlands [3]. This distributed approach would provide enhanced system stability and grid support at national scale, representing a fundamental transformation in how renewable energy storage operates across the Dutch economy [3]. The model enables businesses to participate in sustainability transitions without requiring extensive technical expertise or capital investment in grid infrastructure upgrades [GPT].