Grid congestion and energy storage at holiday parks: managing peaks more effectively
Solar power, peak demand, and grid challenges: a growing issue
Holiday parks are investing heavily in solar panels, heat pumps, and EV charging stations. Sustainable and future-ready, but also challenging. Many parks are now experiencing the effects of grid congestion: an overloaded electricity grid that cannot handle peaks in generation or demand. The solution? Smart energy storage combined with control through an energy management system (EMS).
What is grid congestion at a holiday park and what are the consequences?
Grid congestion occurs when the electricity grid temporarily cannot handle demand or supply. For holiday parks, this is especially relevant because:
- Peaks often coincide with arrival and departure days (cleaning, hot water, charging).
- Guests typically cook, shower, and charge their cars at the same times.
- Onsite solar production peaks midday, causing export surges.
Consequences include:
- Lower or refused feed-in tariffs.
- Grid capacity upgrades that are costly or unavailable.
- Imbalance between generation and consumption, raising costs and risks.
Energy storage as a smart buffer
A solar battery (or larger storage system) temporarily stores excess solar power. This stored energy can later be used for:
- Charging stations.
- Heating systems (such as boilers or heat pumps).
- Cooling or lighting across the park.
This ensures solar energy is consumed locally, reducing grid pressure. Storage also provides additional security during outages.
Why an EMS is essential with battery storage at holiday parks
Storage alone is not enough. An energy management system ensures the battery is charged and discharged at the right times. For example:
- Charging when solar production is high.
- Discharging during high demand or expensive grid tariffs.
- Controlling devices, chargers, and systems based on smart scenarios.
With Aurum’s EnergyGrip, this becomes fully visible and manageable. Energy becomes measurable, predictable, and strategically deployable.
Smart management of EV charging at holiday parks
A major source of peak load at holiday parks is EV charging. During busy weekends or vacation weeks, when multiple guests charge simultaneously, this can create high grid demand. By combining smart charging solutions with battery storage or dynamic energy management, park operators can better absorb peaks and keep costs under control.
In our blog about EV charging at holiday parks you can read how to tackle this in practice, from smart tariffs to EMS integration.
Case study: Roompot Holiday Park Zeebad
At Roompot Holiday Park Zeebad, managers faced a familiar challenge: without up-to-date insight into energy use, owners and tenants could not actively manage their consumption. Manual meter readings made the process not only labor-intensive but also error-prone, and options for periodic billing were limited.
Together with Aurum, a solution was developed that not only provides better control over energy use but also lays the foundation for reliable billing, more efficient processes, and greater engagement from both owners and guests.
Want to know how Roompot tackled this and what benefits the park now enjoys? You can read the full story in our whitepaper Smart Energy Management for Holiday Parks.
Download the whitepaper and discover the complete case
Benefits for holiday parks
- Lower grid load: avoids costs for upgrades or penalties.
- Higher self-consumption: maximize the use of locally generated solar energy.
- Insight and control: with real-time dashboards and reports.
- Future-proof: ready for dynamic tariffs, subsidy changes, and new regulations.
Download the whitepaper: Smart Energy Management for Holiday Parks
Want to know how smart energy control works in practice? Download our free whitepaper on smart energy management at holiday parks:
Whitepaper: Smart Energy Management for Holiday Parks
Frequently asked questions about grid congestion and energy storage
What exactly is grid congestion?
Grid congestion occurs when the electricity grid temporarily does not have enough capacity to handle all demand or supply, causing problems with feed-in or consumption.
How does battery storage help against grid congestion?
A battery stores energy when there is a surplus (for example from solar production) and supplies it back during peak times, flattening the load curve.
Do I really need an EMS with battery storage?
Yes. Without smart control, storage is inefficient. An EMS ensures charging and discharging is optimized, based on generation, consumption, and grid conditions.
What does such a solution typically cost?
Costs depend on system size, storage capacity, and the required software. A consultation helps determine the right setup for your park.
Can I use EnergyGrip without a battery?
Yes. EnergyGrip provides full insight into consumption, generation, and inefficiencies even without storage. Batteries are an additional option.