Storage of solar energy

13 augustus 2024

 

Project 'Energietransitie Camping Olmenveld en ONS BUITEN’

To keep up with the energy transition and stop using fossil fuels, more power is needed. Challenge: the power grid is getting too heavy and can't handle it.

This is a very brief summary of what's going on, also in Zeeland. Although ONS BUITEN values nature and sustainability very highly, it is not possible to "just go" off the gas!

Over the past two years, 310 solar panels have already been installed on the roofs of the buildings on the property. Some of the plumbing has been replaced with a plumbing unit that is supplied with hot water and heating by a heat pump. The solar panels generate electricity that we can use directly for hot water, for example.

In the evening, however, when the sun goes down, the greatest use is made of electricity. Guests then like to take a hot shower, charge bicycle batteries or use a kettle. At that time we don't have as much use for the solar panels, which generate a lot of power during the day. 

Therefore, at the end of July a large container with batteries was placed on the grounds of ONS BUITEN, which acts as a large battery.
The surplus power we generate can now be stored in that battery. At other times, we can then use this power again. 

This is an innovative multi-player project that:

  • ONS BUITEN saves 7000m3 of natural gas per year;
  • ONS BUITEN can make a positive contribution to the overloaded power grid;
  • we can show that it's possible to get a campsite with an outdated network off the gas;
  • the developers can further develop the concept;
  • all the knowledge can eventually be rolled out across the entire tourism industry to make it more sustainable.

This project was co-financed by the European Union under OPZuid. 

So is a battery sustainable? 

On our sustainability page you can read that every choice we make is a conscious one. We always consider what best suits us and our goals. In this case, we choose to store solar energy so that we can gradually get rid of gas completely. Together we are on our way to a cleaner tomorrow.