A new distribution centre and maintenance workshop of Enexis in Best nearly came to a halt even before its official opening. The cause: limited contracted capacity and no prospect of an increase in the short term. The solution came from installation partner Eigenenergie.net and the smart software from Tibo Energy. With it, the grid operator was saved from a situation that would otherwise have been disastrous for its operations.
“You can’t get started if you don’t have the capacity,” says Jan Nijhuis, contract manager for facility management & real estate at Enexis. For the organisation, it was a painful dilemma: the location was urgently needed due to growing storage and logistics demands, but the energy requirements were far higher than the available capacity.
No connection, no future?
The Enexis site has a 1,750 kVA connection with only 74 kW of contracted capacity. A connection that was sufficient for the previous tenant, but barely enough to run the basic facilities of a large distribution centre. Requesting additional capacity wasn’t a realistic option — in some cases, the grid operator’s waiting time can stretch up to ten years. For an organisation looking to expand its supply chain, waiting simply wasn’t an option.
“It was simple,” Nijhuis explains. “Even as a grid operator, we’re just in the queue like everyone else. So either we found a way to stay within the limits of this connection, or we had to postpone the relocation. And that would have immediately slowed down our growth.”
Trust through modelling
The solution came via installation partner Eigenenergie.net, who used Tibo Energy’s software to simulate various scenarios. These explored how different combinations of solar panels, batteries, heat pumps and EV chargers would perform in day-to-day operations.
The models provided insight into both opportunities and risks. “Thanks to the models, we immediately saw what was feasible,” says Nijhuis. “It wasn’t just about technical confidence — it also helped build internal support. You can show colleagues and leadership: this is how it works, this is how we stay within the contracted limits.”
From simulation to reality
Solar panels were installed on the building’s roof, and two batteries were placed in the car park. The distribution cabinet was deliberately built with extra capacity, and additional conduits were laid to allow for easy scaling in the future.
The entire system is managed by an Energy Management System (EMS) from Tibo Energy. This system ensures a continuous balance between supply and demand. Peak loads are automatically levelled out, and contracted capacity is never exceeded. The EMS looks ahead using forecasts based on weather data, consumption profiles and energy prices.
“Our energy bill is significantly lower,” says Nijhuis. “We use more of our own solar energy and avoid penalties for exceeding our contracted capacity. The system gives us control — over both costs and capacity.”
Flexibility as a foundation
One striking aspect of this project is how forward-thinking played a central role. From the very beginning, the site was designed with future expansion in mind. The distribution cabinet can handle a doubling of PV and battery capacity, and the charging infrastructure has already been prepared.
Paul Daanen, involved in the execution, explains: “This is a great example of how investing in flexibility pays off. Small decisions upfront can save major costs and limitations later on. You avoid having to tear things down or reinvest a few years down the line. For us, that includes honest advice and building with a long-term perspective.”
More than a standard EMS
What sets this project apart is the predictive power of the software. Traditional rule-based systems only respond in the moment: if the battery is empty, it charges; if demand rises, it discharges. But for Enexis, which isn’t allowed to feed power back into the grid, that’s too late.
Daanen: “A standard EMS won’t cut it here. You need predictive control that can look days ahead. In our portal, we don’t just see what’s happening now — we also see what to expect in the coming days. That’s the difference between putting out fires and actually planning.”
Relieving the grid through local optimisation
This case shows that local optimisation is a powerful alternative to waiting years for grid upgrades. Companies that would otherwise have to pause operations or shelve expansion plans can keep moving forward thanks to smart control.
And the impact goes beyond a single site. By flattening peaks and staying within contracted capacity, the regional grid is also relieved. At a time when grid congestion affects more and more businesses, that’s a significant signal. This project proves that local optimisation doesn’t just deliver immediate results for the user, it also helps the wider grid.
Jan Nijhuis concludes: “Normally, businesses have to wait for years — but this shows there’s another way.”
Read more about how flexibility can generate value in congested grid areas.
