"The power grid is congested and as a result thousands of businesses, schools and sports clubs sometimes have to wait years for a wholesale connection," observes Stefan Romijn of the Stimular Foundation. "The mass adoption of heat pumps compounds this problem, because heat pumps use a lot of energy. With more heat networks, new buildings can be commissioned faster."
"Heat pumps are seen as the solution to heating without natural gas. Heat pumps are good technology. Unfortunately, heat pumps also cause a huge increase in power consumption, especially when it's cold," Romijn observes. And that's why schools, companies or sports clubs that install a heat pump soon need a high-consumption connection. With a different technology, a smaller connection often suffices. And small connections are usually still possible at the moment.
Heat grid less burdensome
In municipalities' plans for future heating, heat pumps are seen as a solution for many neighborhoods and business parks. "There are also other solutions, which cause fewer problems on the power grid. Such as a heat grid," Romijn believes. "A heat grid supplies residual heat from companies or extracts heat from the ground. This requires much less electricity in the buildings that use heat. Heat pumps are especially a solution in places where a heat grid is not possible."
Building heat grids quickly
"The current problems on the power grid show that haste is needed with the construction of heat networks. A school, company or sports club cannot arrange this alone. Municipalities will have to take the lead here together with energy companies. It may not solve the problems in the short term, but it helps to eventually solve the congestion on the power grid. And that's how we prevent the energy transition from grinding to a halt."
