Reading time: 2 minutes
The power grid is becoming overloaded in more and more areas in the Netherlands, affecting construction projects. UniBouw recently built a new distribution center for Mavom. After completion, only temporary construction power was available, with no permanent connection. The distribution center stores chemicals that must be kept at specific temperatures. To ensure there’s always enough power and that the products remain at the correct temperature, a smart battery from Boels Rental—the battery pack—was installed.
Battery as a solution
Jos Hoevenaars, project manager for service and maintenance at UniBouw, explained, “We delivered the building last year, and it was immediately clear that the construction power supply wasn’t enough for this building. We, therefore, decided with Boels Rental to install a battery.” When a high power load is required, the battery provides this power, reducing strain on the power grid as much as possible. Hoevenaars continued, “The entire building is currently powered by the construction power supply and the battery.”
“The entire building is currently powered by the construction power supply and the battery”
Continuity for Mavom
Chemicals are stored in the distribution center at very specific temperatures. The building contains freezers at 5 degrees Celsius and others as cold as -44 degrees Celsius. These temperatures are constantly monitored. Hoevenaars said, “If the power fails, it’s a disaster. We already worked with Boels for construction site setup, but renting battery packs was new to us. They helped us greatly with this. The battery pack ensures that the voltage is consistently maintained. If there’s an issue, I only need to call, and it’s fixed immediately.”
Finding the right solution together
Cane Gagliardi, technical specialist at Boels Rental, was involved in the UniBouw project. Gagliardi stated, “From the beginning, we worked together to find the right solution. Initially, we ran a generator for several weeks. Along with the client, we assessed their needs, power consumption, and a sustainable solution. The data was analyzed using a power analyzer, and then it was decided to install a battery pack.”
Remote monitoring
Mavom uses power analyzers to monitor the system. Gagliardi said, “They can see when there are peaks and when the battery provides power. The client can set various parameters themselves. With these power analyzers, you can also monitor the battery’s performance remotely over the weekend. We’ve seen that this battery constantly does its job.”
Energy transition
Hoevenaars: “The environment is becoming increasingly important, and we’re always looking for sustainable solutions. That’s why we chose this zero-emission battery instead of a diesel-powered generator.” The energy grid is currently undergoing a sustainability transition, but this also leads to problems due to full grids. We see this especially in the late afternoon; businesses are still open, and people are coming home from work. Gagliardi: “With our batteries, companies can store excess energy and use it during peak times. This helps avoid overloading the grid.”