Companion.energy

Standalone solar isn't worth what it used to be. Not all that long ago, subsidies carried the business case. Then PV took off globally, hardware got cheap, the grid filled up and midday prices went negative. Passive, standalone PV doesn't pay off anymore. Nina Waffenschmidt (CEO, PerPetum Energy) on why the value is no longer in adding PV, but in intelligence behind the meter.

🚚 Why are so many logistics companies still holding back on e-trucks? I recently sat down with Arvin Willemse of PostNL Belgium to talk about the current wave of electrification and innovation running through postal and logistics. His take on the e-truck hesitation is not the one I expected. Is technology moving so fast nowadays that an investment made today can’t pay itself back before the next innovation takes over? More from our conversation coming soon.

What's the link between a sewing machine and active steering? ...they both move the needle 😆 Nina Waffenschmidt

Rooftop solar, then a battery, then more. Most commercial and industrial sites we talk to already have on-site energy assets with their own control systems, but still lack a single coordinator: a local captain connected to every asset, the DSO and the optimiser. So what do you do? Rip out what's already there and start over? When does that make sense? Maarten Vyncke of Withthegrid on adding assets to a brownfield site, and why it's usually better to simplify sooner rather than later.

Last week, Maarten Vyncke from Withthegrid dropped by at the office and gave me some great tips on where to find companies in need of energy companionship. Turns out, logistics hubs are becoming energy hubs 🤔. Heading to a bbq at LOGIVILLE this evening to show them my support in dealing with this existential crisis. Burgers over therapy 🍔 😋 !

Why is grid congestion less of a problem in Belgium than in the Netherlands? The underlying reason might surprise you. One of several sharp insights from our conversation with Maarten Vyncke, Business Developer at Withthegrid. Thanks for dropping by the office Maarten!