Kiwatt: Powering the Future with Battery-Powered Energy Management

Energy storage in the modern era must go beyond conservation and strike the delicate balance between efficient power generation and use. This idea becomes particularly poignant in the Netherlands, where grid congestion has become a critical issue affecting businesses across the nation. Marked by overloaded electricity grids struggling to meet soaring demand, the Dutch power sector has significantly slowed the approval of new connections, which has stumped businesses from expanding their operational footprint.

At the forefront of bridging this gap in the Netherlands’ grid power supply and rising electricity demand is Kiwatt.

Its distinct approach to product development spans designing and manufacturing powerful battery systems tailored to meet client needs. Complementing the offerings is Kiwatt’s in-house team of engineers, who develop innovative solutions, including batteries, battery management systems (BMS), inverters and more. At the same time, the company provides a comprehensive software platform—the Kiwatt app, which helps users monitor energy usage metrics and optimise consumption. This level of visibility empowers them to manage energy beyond the main connection point, increasing efficiency and reducing costs.

Kiwatt’s proprietary battery stack’s improved performance capabilities aid rapid energy storage and seamless integration with various assets. While the proprietary inverter facilitates island mode operation, the in-house developed BMS offers flexibility and remote optimisation, ensuring an uninterrupted power supply.

The comprehensive solution caters to residential and commercial needs, providing a nonstop power supply even when the grid connection is disrupted. Leveraging its technology stack, Kiwatt empowers users to maximise the utility of its energy resources while ensuring reliability and adaptability.

“Our self-developed portfolio allows us unparalleled flexibility, from using the BMS to remotely tweak the battery’s performance to connecting the inverter with solar panels and powering your business without connecting to the grid,” says Jacob van Leeuwen, founder and CEO.

Kiwatt’s proprietary battery solutions serve as a strategic buffer. It alleviates grid limitations and facilitates more efficient use of renewable energy, enabling businesses to store excess energy and sell it back during peak times. To optimise energy distribution across the Netherlands, the government introduced the Congestion Service Provider (CSP) initiative, which allows businesses and individuals to share their energy connections. Operating like a virtual power plant, this system helps balance the electrical grid by redistributing energy from companies with excess capacity to those with higher demand. It also allows the collective management of energy among interconnected participants. The CSP extends its competencies to alleviate the imbalanced energy market by simplifying the sale and purchase of surplus energy.
A notable use case highlighting Kiwatt’s technology involved a real estate group facing power supply issues due to grid limitations. Enabling operational expansion and consistent electricity availability, even in peak demand, the company facilitated the client to maintain their expansion schedule and reliably establish new ventures over time. This success highlights Kiwatt’s dedication to offering solutions that solve immediate issues and support clients’ long-term growth and sustainability.

Prioritising innovation, Kiwatt’s team consistently pushes boundaries to develop new features and products. Its vast in-house manufacturing capabilities ensure quality, timely delivery and rapid issue resolution. Exemplifying the team’s impact is their choice to use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells instead of nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) cells for its batteries. This decision stems from the safety concerns associated with NMC batteries, particularly in cases of terminal runaway where cobalt can pose a fire risk. LFP batteries, lacking cobalt, offer a safer alternative with a longer lifespan while ensuring greater reliability and peace of mind.

Over the past year, the company has expanded its workforce from 10 to 35 dedicated employees, leading the energy sector with its strong work ethic and commitment to innovation. Driven by the team’s expansion, it is now set to develop new features and actively promote its energy storage products through various campaigns and events.

Kiwatt’s comprehensive energy management solutions position it as a leader effectively stabilising the Dutch energy grid while engaging with communities to build a sustainable future.