How Zeeman makes smart use of energy

1 warehouse. All of Europe. And the grid was full.

From a single distribution centre in Alphen aan den Rijn, Zeeman supplies more than 1,350 stores in eight countries. Annual turnover: almost one billion euros. When the company automated and expanded its logistics processes, that demanded more power than the existing grid connection could handle. Grid operator Liander could not deliver the extra capacity. Laying new cables would take five years. Waiting five years was not an option.

Liander offered an alternative: a capacity-limited contract on call (CBC-A). More connection capacity, but with one caveat: at peak moments on the grid, Liander could automatically scale back. For a warehouse that runs non-stop, that risk was too great.

The battery as a solution and as a business model

The solution came from an unexpected direction. EcoPowerCell installed a battery storage system at the distribution centre and finances that system itself. EcoPowerCell earns the investment back through smart deployment on the energy markets. In return, Zeeman makes its grid connection available. The battery acts as a buffer: the moment Liander scales back, the battery seamlessly delivers the required power. The warehouse doesn't notice a thing.

Eddy Grid controls the battery. That means: real-time control of the system, trading on the energy and flexibility markets, and congestion management towards Liander. All from a single party, with every required market role in house.

Growth shouldn't have to wait for the grid

The result: Zeeman can keep expanding its distribution centre without investing in battery storage itself and without fossil-fuel stopgaps. EcoPowerCell earns its investment back through the energy markets. Liander sees congestion decrease. And Eddy Grid delivers the control that holds it all together.