TenneT is joining forces with Sonnen, Vandebron and IBM to pilot two projects aimed at enabling decentralised flexible energy sources to help maintain security of supply in the Dutch and German electricity grids.

The so-called ‘blockchain’ concept will explore ways to integrate flexible capacity supplied by electric cars and household batteries into the electrical grid, the partners said.

TenneT chief executive Mel Kroon said: “These pilot projects are part of TenneT’s broader strategy of preparing the electricity system to accommodate the growing volume of renewable energy.”

TenneT will be testing the new concept in two pilot projects.

One project in the Netherlands will involve renewables supplier Vandebron working with customers who own electric vehicles to make the capacity of their car batteries available to help TenneT balance the grid.

The second project in Germany is with smart technology provider Sonnen eServices and will involve a network of residential solar batteries helping to reduce limitations on wind energy at times of insufficient grid capacity.

TenneT said once the concept has been proven to work, it will be launched and open for other parties to join.

IBM Blockchain technology will be used to verify and document the performance of the flexible energy sources.

Image: TenneT