FLINK Experts on the collaboration with Eddy Grid
Independent advice calls for strong control partners
“We stand for independent advice. That is why we work with parties that can actually deliver on their promises. It is a good thing not to always agree right away. By staying critical and giving feedback, we both improve. Especially in complex projects, that is essential.” Stefan Smit, Director FLINK Experts
FLINK Experts, part of FLINK Nederland, works with Eddy Grid to make optimal use of flexibility. They support companies with energy and storage projects, from feasibility study to realization and operation. Always from one core principle: independence. They do not offer their own products or control solutions. By working with partners, the client’s interest always comes first.
That position makes the choice of a control partner even more important. “If we do not control ourselves, we have to be able to rely on parties that do.” That trust does not come automatically, but through good collaboration and by delivering what was agreed upon, time and again.
Flexibility as the starting point of trust
The collaboration with Eddy Grid started about two years ago. “What immediately appealed to us was the flexibility. Eddy Grid did not require multi-year commitments and only has a one-month notice period.”
That one-month notice period turned out to be mainly a psychological advantage. First for FLINK Experts themselves, and later also towards clients who find the energy market intimidating.
“You never fully know what you are getting into. Then it is reassuring that this kind of flexibility is there.”
In practice, it was never used. The collaboration continued simply because it worked well.
Performance over promises
For FLINK Experts, everything revolves around what happens once a project goes live. Stefan explains: “In the end, it is not about a pilot or a low monthly fee. If there is no performance in the market, you still end up hurting yourself.”
Eddy Grid stands out by making results visible. Because FLINK Experts delivers many projects themselves, they can monitor performance live in the dashboard. “You see in practice that the results match what Eddy Grid communicated beforehand. That builds trust, not just for us, but also for the client.”
Business cases as a reference
Eddy Grid provides a free Quickscan. After completing it, you receive an extensive business case within five working days. For many clients and advisors, Eddy Grid’s business cases play an important role as a reference and starting point.
FLINK Experts, however, also creates its own independent business case for clients. This forms the basis for investment decisions.
This gives FLINK Experts a position in which they can test business cases against their own calculation model. Do Eddy Grid’s calculations align with what FLINK Experts has already modeled? According to Stefan, they do. That consistency helps to go live with greater confidence and to keep expectations sharp.
Transparency makes the difference
According to Stefan, transparency is still scarce in the market. Not all providers communicate their results, or what they publish is difficult to compare, while that is exactly where the difference is made. That is why FLINK Experts values the openness that Eddy Grid offers.
Eddy Grid deliberately chooses to make results visible. Not only in dashboards, but also through updates in the newsletter and on LinkedIn. This allows clients and partners to follow what is actually happening.
“We advocate for more parties to move in that direction,” Stefan says. “It helps that Eddy Grid actively takes clients along in what is going on. It is not a black box.”
As a result, conversations are less about assumptions and more about adjustment and optimization.
Short lines, even when there is friction
In a fast-growing market, new situations inevitably arise. Sometimes you have to pioneer. That makes accessibility and speed even more important.
FLINK Experts critically reviews control and strategy. “We are there as an advisor. Eddy Grid fills in the control through algorithms and market choices. That sometimes causes friction, and that is exactly a good thing. We both get better from it.”
According to Stefan, Eddy Grid switches quickly and communication lines are short. “You notice there is room to think along and to improve things.” Especially in complex projects, where not everything is defined upfront, that is essential.
Growing together in a young market
Both organizations operate in a market that is still very much developing. “When we started working together two years ago and you look at where we are now, we have both come a long way.”
That evolving market requires continuous adaptation. For FLINK Experts, this is crucial. Clients increasingly ask for solutions that can grow along with the market. Eddy Grid fits that role. Entrepreneurial, transparent, and willing to keep exploring together what works.
“We are both entrepreneurial organizations at the start of a very long journey. When we look back again in two years, the picture will likely be very different from today. And then it is important to simply remain honest and transparent together.”