Sunrise Real Estate has installed an innovative off-grid energy solution at its Amsterdam West Distribution Centre (AWDC) in the Netherlands, enabling a client’s operations to begin months earlier than planned and forming a blueprint for similar projects in the future.

The 19,660 sqm AWDC is not due to be connected to the power grid until the first quarter of 2025. To address this problem of grid congestion Sunrise partnered with energy providers Sunrock and iWell to deliver an innovative renewable energy and battery solution that will enable temporary operation for furniture and interior design retailer Loods5’s new distribution centre. This consists of a battery and energy management system that runs on solar energy and means the building can be delivered months earlier than without it.

While a temporary off-grid system is often installed during the construction phase, in this case Sunrise has implemented a permanent and scalable approach. The battery and energy management system will remain operational and can easily be operated for off-grid utilisation or used for energy distribution once the grid connection becomes available.

The building will be powered by 2MWp roof mounted solar PV, a 660 kW battery and a small grid connection which will provide sufficient power for the tenants. This will result in approx. 50% of AWDC’s energy requirements being provided by renewable energy.

Matthew Stevens, Head of Development at Sunrise Real Estate, said:

“As grid congestion has become a key challenge when developing logistics assets in the Netherlands, innovative solutions are required to be able to meet the requirement of potential occupiers.

“Through our collaboration with Sunrock and iwell, we were able to design and deliver an innovative system which, by combining roof PV with the battery system, will provide a green alternative for reliable off-grid power to facilitate the tenants’ operations on site and futureproof the site from grid uncertainty in the future. We are proud of the result and look forward to our continued collaboration in the future.”

AWDC is a 19,660 sqm prime industrial and distribution centre, strategically located in an established logistics park, offering quick access to Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam Port, Haarlem and the wider motorway network. Comprised of four units ranging in size from 3,785 sqm to 7,085 sqm, AWDC’s design also incorporates further sustainability features such as green roofs, grey water reuse, EV charging points and LED lighting, with substantial biodiversity measures in place across the building’s green spaces. The building has achieved BREEAM Very Good.

“With this system, green energy is generated via solar panels. When needed, the tenant can use this energy,” commented Karlijn Elias-Peters, Managing Director for The Netherlands at Sunrock. “Battery storage is the future that addresses the many challenges in today’s energy landscape. A large logistics facility like this needs continuity and flexibility in terms of power supply. This project shows how an integrated energy solution can meet these needs while effectively addressing the challenges of grid congestion.”

Jan Willen, CEO of iwell, added: “The project at AWDC is designed in such a way that it not only accelerates the availability of energy, but also contributes to more sustainable building management. Later, when the grid connection is available, the battery can trade on the energy markets. This makes it an interesting business case. And if it is needed in the future, the system is the solution for more electricity when the capacity at the grid operator is not sufficient.”

In addition to the advanced battery storage, the Energy Management System (EMS) developed by iwell plays a crucial role. This unique system uses machine learning and AI to intelligently manage energy flows, allowing companies to always count on a reliable energy supply while maximizing their return on their energy investments.