Integer contributes to a unique solution for grid congestion at Mercado
Grid congestion is an increasingly large obstacle to making buildings sustainable. On paper, many buildings simply seem unsuitable to go fully gas-free, because the available electricity capacity falls short. The City of Eindhoven's 'Mercado' project proves that it can be done after all, with smart software instead of heavy hardware.
From gas-fired to fully electric
Before the renovation, Mercado was heated by gas-fired central heating boilers. These have been replaced by electric heat pumps, with the ambition of a fully gas-free building. A major challenge: the existing electricity connection could not be upgraded. Thanks to a combination of fine-grained building control (B-grid) for lighting and ventilation, among other things, and a smart software approach, Mercado is now a building without gas, without expanding the electrical connection.
Smart control instead of upgrading
Although the improved control of lighting and ventilation provided additional energy savings, this was not enough to absorb peaks in electricity consumption on cold days. That is exactly where the risk of grid congestion lies. The solution was found in the dynamic control system of SVGG/!MPULS (DWA and Kuijpers), developed in collaboration with Integer Technologies B.V., an Eindhoven start-up specialised in smart energy and climate control.
With this software, the electricity demand is actively controlled and spread across the day. Based on weather forecasts, historical building data and artificial intelligence (AI), the system anticipates future heat demand and prevents unwanted peaks in consumption. As a result, no batteries, no extra hardware and no heavier grid connection were needed. The first analyses show that this approach works effectively at Mercado.
A sustainable alternative to hardware solutions
Many sustainability projects today get stuck on grid congestion. As a temporary solution, large battery packs or other hardware-intensive systems are often installed. These solutions are costly, take up space and are not always circular or future-proof. The approach at Mercado shows that it can be done differently. With smart software, it is possible to make many more buildings gas-free without putting extra load on the electricity grid. That makes this solution not only economically attractive, but also truly sustainable.
Collaboration as the key to success
This project came about thanks to the close collaboration between:
Integer Technologies is proud to contribute with its technology to future-proof buildings and to offer a practical solution to one of the biggest challenges of the energy transition: grid congestion.
