Interview with Green Planet owner Edward Doorten
The Green Planet filling station and power station in Pesse is unique. Not only can you fill up your car with diesel, petrol, electricity or hydrogen, but the company also wants to be self-sufficient and put as little strain as possible on the electricity grid. ‘As an entrepreneur, you really have to think about where you want to be in five years’ time and what your energy needs will be then.’
The large domed roof of Green Planet near the A28 motorway in Drenthe betrays the fact that this is an unusual filling station. The roof is covered with sedum, a succulent plant that insulates, prevents waterlogging and provides a nice place for birds and butterflies. There are also two wind turbines on the roof. Together with 1,400 solar panels, these provide electricity for the company’s own operations and for charging electric cars, says owner Edward Doorten. ‘We have our own electricity grid and a large battery storage facility. We are also pioneering the use of hydrogen to generate electricity. That way, we can supply all our customers with electricity without putting a strain on the grid.’
Working with Enexis
Edward has been working on cleaner and smarter mobility for years. ‘When we started, the electricity grid was filling up,' says Edward. ‘That got us thinking, for example about self-generation and energy storage. Together with Enexis, we spent a year doing all kinds of experiments. We exchanged data, coordinated systems and measured factors such as the strength of the sun and wind. All this resulted in an energy management system that controls all our assets and makes intelligent decisions based on data. Enexis also gained experience with us on alternative transmission rights, where grid capacity is available outside peak times.’
Many others are already looking to us for inspiration,
which we see as a great compliment
Driving the energy transition
Green Planet expects to generate and store even more of its own energy in the future. ‘The electrification of both passenger cars and heavy transport will grow rapidly,’ says Edward. ‘To meet the growing demand for electricity, we will need even more solar panels and possibly more energy storage. In the meantime, he and his team are working on optimising the system so it can be used in other locations in the future. ‘Many others are already looking to us for inspiration, which we see as a great compliment. We receive government support, so we feel obliged to turn that support into a driving force for progress.’
A smarter approach
Grid operators like Enexis are working hard to strengthen the network, says Edward. But he also advises entrepreneurs to take action themselves. ‘The change really has to come from both sides. If companies just sit back and wait for the grid operator to solve everything, they won’t get far in today’s world. A different, smarter approach is needed. Can I use battery storage? Can I convert hydrogen to electricity from time to time? Can I adjust cooling systems to run harder at certain times and less at others? There are countless solutions, but it all starts with thinking. I believe this is the responsibility of every company. We can only get through it by working together.’