The Hague Innovates with Smart Energy Sharing to Manage Grid Congestion
The Hague, Tuesday, 15 April 2025.
The Slim Strandnet project utilizes smart grid technology in The Hague to balance local energy use, reducing grid congestion with innovative cooperative strategies.
Award-Winning Innovation
The Slim Strandnet project, a collaborative initiative between the Municipality of The Hague and Stedin, recently achieved international recognition by securing third place at the European Innovation Procurement Awards on March 27, 2025 [3]. The project was awarded €25,000 to support its continued development and implementation [3]. The award was accepted in Brussels by project representatives Roelof Davids, Guilia van Wijk, Bart van Velthoven, and Max van Meerten [3].
Technical Implementation
The system operates through an innovative combination of solar panels, battery storage, and open-source home energy management software, connecting three beach pavilions, a harbor control center, an event connection, and a beach stadium [1]. Program manager Bart van Velthoven explains that the software provides intelligent control over power distribution, managing devices like freezers, heat pumps, and solar panels to optimize energy usage during off-peak hours [1]. Two beach pavilions, Aloha and The Shore, have already successfully transitioned to sustainable energy sourcing from Scheveningen as of October 2024 [2].
European Collaboration and Future Impact
The initiative is part of the broader European U2Demo project, which connects 20 partners across 8 countries to develop open-source, consumer-oriented strategies for peer-to-peer energy trading [1]. This aligns with upcoming regulatory changes, as the new Energy Act, effective 2026, will enable energy sharing within communities [1]. The project operates through a public-private energy cooperative, emphasizing collaboration between the municipality and local entrepreneurs without profit motivation [1].