Due to the rising number of hours with negative electricity prices, solar parks are increasingly facing reduced revenues. This puts pressure on the business case for renewable energy projects. In the Netherlands, the SDE++ is a government subsidy scheme that supports the development of sustainable energy by covering the financial gap between renewable and conventional energy sources. A recent consultation on the future of the scheme explores possible solutions, but one promising option remains underexposed: delayed grid feed-in through battery storage.  

By temporarily storing generated electricity and feeding it into the grid only when prices turn positive again, grid capacity can be used more efficiently while production still qualifies for subsidies. Especially when batteries are connected to existing solar park grid connections. This leads to both societal and financial benefits. Batteries also become more attractive thanks to savings on grid transport costs and a stronger business case, particularly for high and medium-voltage connections. 

This approach contributes to making existing renewable energy projects more future-proof and encourages the development of battery storage. To meet climate targets and create space for additional renewable generation, it is therefore essential that the SDE++ scheme evolves in line with this new reality. 

Eelco Rondhuis and Sjak Lomme in Energeia: “To effectively advance the transition to a sustainable energy system, the SDE++ must keep pace with the reality of increasingly frequent negative electricity prices. By allowing and subsidising delayed feed-in, cooperation between batteries and renewable generation on a single grid connection can be encouraged. This not only leads to more efficient use of grid capacity but also strengthens the business case for both existing and new projects. In doing so, the core objective of the SDE++, stimulating sustainable energy production, is better served. At the same time, battery storage is promoted in a way that places minimal strain on the electricity grid. Given the ambition to achieve at least 5 GW of battery capacity by 2030, it is both logical and desirable to adapt the scheme so that renewable generation and smart storage can be jointly supported.” 

Link to the original news article: https://energeia.nl/negatieve-stroomprijzen-batterijen-en-de-sde