SPIE innovates with battery system for Volvo Car B.V. Netherlands

Breda, 27 May 2025 – SPIE, the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications, has installed an innovative 500 kWh battery system to handle peak loads and support the energy transition. Energy from mixed sources is stored and released during peak hours to use the charging infrastructure more efficiently and avoid grid overload. For 12 weeks, Volvo Car B.V. at its headquarters in Beesd, the Netherlands, will have the opportunity to gain experience with energy storage and load shifting in a controlled environment. A temporary solution, but with great potential for the future.

Volvo Car Netherlands is facing a daunting sustainability challenge. Switching from a gas to a heat pump based heating system at the location is an important goal, but currently net congestion is a stumbling block. The newly installed smart battery system allows Volvo to take steps now. During the day, a mix of solar and grid energy is stored and released during peak hours to use the charging infrastructure more efficiently and avoid grid overload.

Strategic load shifting 

‘This project is not just about energy storage, but about strategic load shifting as well,’ says Folkert Gerritsen, consultant at SPIE. ‘We want to demonstrate that companies can optimise their energy consumption with smart technology, especially at a time when grid congestion is an increasing challenge.’

The battery system is modular and can be used via a lease construction. As Folkert points out: ‘This gives the customer the option of starting with a temporary set-up to get used to a new form of energy management. We can then integrate a better long-term solution with the consumption and system performance data collected during this period, which significantly reduces the cost for customers. This is also an interesting option for companies that need a solution periodically.’

Smart charging, efficient shifting

The distributor to the nearly 50 charging stations at the site posed a major capacity bottleneck. Non-sunny periods left employees without enough capacity to comfortably charge their electric cars. The new battery system ensures that energy is stored at night and released during the day, ensuring a more reliable and faster charging process.

The power of data and simulation

Various data will be collected during the twelve-week test period, including information on the battery system itself, the performance of the charging stations and relevant weather data. All data is processed in a Digital Twin, a digital copy of the energy system. This allows future scenarios to be simulated and actual energy requirements to be determined more accurately. Folkert: ‘With this Digital Twin, we can calculate various sustainability options, such as reducing energy consumption by making the building more sustainable, operating completely fossil-free or installing heat pumps. Based on the available data, the most appropriate strategy is chosen. This constitutes an essential first step towards making Volvo Car completely gas-free and increasing energy security.’

Towards a sustainable future

The success of this project is measured by two main goals: sufficient charging capacity during cloudy periods and a working Digital Twin. ‘We are only at the beginning of the project, but initial feedback is promising,’ Folkert concludes. ‘This project shows that energy management is not only a necessity, but also a great opportunity to work smarter and more sustainably.’

René Traa, Manager Facilities & Sustainability at Volvo Car Netherlands: ‘In a time of grid congestion, we do not choose to wait and see, but to think ahead. This is our next active contribution to Volvo’s global zero-emissions ambitions heading towards 2040. More than a temporary solution, this battery is our next step towards a smarter, more sustainable energy system. In doing so, we express our appreciation for the professional cooperation with SPIE.’