Grid congestion and solutions for the electricity network

The growth of electric transport, heat pumps, solar panels and other applications creates peak moments when capacity temporarily falls short. This leads to grid congestion—comparable to a traffic jam on the electricity grid—where simultaneous demand or feed-in cannot be fully processed.

When capacity is insufficient, waiting lists for new connections or upgrades can arise. Both large consumers and households or small businesses may face restrictions in accessing electricity, but they can also contribute to the solution by applying flexibility and smart technologies such as demand-side management and energy storage.

Grid operators connect requests in sequence, taking into account prioritisation frameworks set by the ACM (Authority for Consumers and Markets).

Current situation

• Grid congestion can occur before 2030 during peak hours.
• Smart devices and flexibility solutions are not yet fully utilised.
• National action plans, investment routes and updated processes for grid reinforcement and flexibility are being prepared.
• The cost of grid reinforcement is estimated at €190 billion by 2040, underlining the need for innovative solutions.

Solutions and future outlook

Solutions to grid congestion include both technical and organisational measures. The electricity grid can be reinforced through expansion and optimisation of infrastructure.

In addition, existing capacity can be used more intelligently through flexible demand management and integration of solar panels, heat pumps and charging points. Behavioural change and user convenience play a crucial role. T

he average Dutch citizen just wants to charge their car, and the baker wants to bake bread – without worrying about energy. That’s why TNO develops solutions that work automatically, such as smart charging systems and Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS).

Regulatory and market adjustments are also essential to enable collaboration between grid operators, end-users, energy communities and government.

TNO emphasises that combining technical, systemic and behavioural measures is essential for a robust electricity grid that supports the energy transition and strengthens the resilience and earning power of the Netherlands.

TNO innovations & collaborations

TNO conducts integrated research on the energy system, covering generation, transport, storage and consumption. The organisation works on smart grid utilisation, for example through flexibility solutions such as Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS), smart charging infrastructure and neighbourhood-level applications.

TNO also supports policy and regulation, advising on connections, transport agreements, system costs and market design. We test innovative concepts in pilots, such as Vehicle-to-Grid in Utrecht (We Drive Solar), where electric cars not only run on locally generated solar power but also feed electricity back into the grid. This reduces peak loads and can significantly lower the cost of grid reinforcement.

Collaboration with grid operators, governments, industry and end-users ensures that innovative solutions can be tested and scaled up.

From grid congestion to resilient energy ecosystems

In the Horizon Europe project REFORMERS, TNO and Alliander is working on Renewable Energy Valleys: regional energy systems with a high share of renewable generation that connect residential and business areas. The REVT5 Implementation and Operation Plan describes how the Flagship Valley around Alkmaar, where severe grid congestion is a pressing issue and major grid reinforcements are not expected before 2035, is taking concrete steps towards implementation.

At the heart of the approach is a holistic framework that integrates technology, governance, business models and stakeholder engagement. Rather than isolated technical fixes, REVT5 focuses on building a self-sustaining local energy ecosystem that aligns generation, flexibility, storage and consumption, generating lessons that are scalable and applicable to other European regions.