Dutch growers install more CHP's, but deliver less electricity back to grid

In 2016, network administrator Westland Infra transported a total of 1,632 GWh to end customers (2015: 1,488 GWh). This is an increase of 144 GWh compared to 2015. The return of electricity to the high-voltage grid was 418 GWh (2015: 582 GWh). This is a decline in the return of 164 GWh.

Despite the decline in return to the high-voltage grid, the installed capacity of combined heat and power units in Westland has increased slightly in recent years. A slight increase was also visible in 2016. The installed power was 775 megawatts at that time. "This indicates that there is certainly a role to play for CPHs in greenhouse horticulture, despite the unfavorable conditions. At the same time, it is evident that more electricity is being transported to end customers. The use of thermal power in the event of imbalances has hardly changed in 2016", the organization states.

The highest return peak at the junction with the high-voltage grid was 531 megawatts in 2010. The years after 2010 this declined steadily under the influence of electricity prices.

In 2016, the return peak was 351 megawatts (2015: 422 megawatts). This capability is in line with the earlier mentioned volume decrease for generation of electricity. Since 2010, however, the take-off capacity has increased. The lowest capacity in 2010 was 222 megawatts. By 2016 a maximum capacity of 327 megawatts has been reached (by 2015: 304 megawatts). 

In 2016, more gas was transported through the networks of Westland Infra Netbeheer B.V. than in the previous year. This year we reached 1,139 million m3 of gas (in 2015: 1,133 million m3). This represents a slight increase of 6 million m3. The gas transports for Westland Infra Netbeheer B.V. are expected to decline in the next few years. Reasons for this include saving measures, reduced deployment of combined heat and power plants and alternatives for natural gas. In addition to the known savings, insulation, better building methods and cultivation techniques in greenhouse horticulture, mean lower heat requirement; also the development of geothermal energy will reduce gas consumption.

"In the coming years, we will play an important role in supporting the transition to a sustainable horticultural sector," Westland Infra concludes. "In our view, this is only feasible through the development of an integrated energy system, where gas, electricity and heat together form one system of mutual conversions, storage and congestion management. In order to facilitate this, we have incorporated Capturam BV. Capturam will direct initiatives and projects that contribute to the sustainability of energy supply in the region, are not subject to legislation yet, but fit well within the legal frameworks that apply to network companies."