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On August 22nd, the Growth Accelerator Demonstration Energy voucher was awarded to QuinteQ Energy by Liane van der Veen, Team Manager of Business Development Energy and Circular at Oost NL.
What is QuinteQ Energy? What will this voucher bring to QuinteQ Energy? What roles will Connectr and Oost NL play in this? To learn more, we spoke with Paul Vosbeek, founder and CEO of QuinteQ Energy.
Can you tell us more about QuinteQ Energy?
“QuinteQ Energy is an innovative energy storage company with roots in the United States but is now fully Dutch. QuinteQ Energy has acquired an exclusive worldwide license from Boeing to develop the most advanced flywheel in the world. This flywheel, originally developed by Boeing, is now being produced and marketed by QuinteQ Energy in the Netherlands.
Since early 2019, QuinteQ Energy has been working from the Netherlands on developing this technology. Taking over a substantial IP portfolio from Boeing, the world’s largest aerospace company, was no easy task. We have invested years in further development and turning this technology into a working product. QuinteQ Energy targets various markets, both civilian and defense. In civilian applications, we serve market segments such as construction, ports, metros, trains, and microgrids. In the defense sector, we focus on optimizing energy management and supporting systems like directed energy weapons.
QuinteQ Energy is based in Lent and has a manufacturing facility in Culemborg, where a team of 15 people works on the development and construction of these systems.”
Why did QuinteQ Energy apply for the Growth Accelerator Demonstration Energy?
“QuinteQ Energy has spent the last three-quarters of a year entering the market. We started in the defense sector and then moved into construction, where we use our systems to smooth out power peaks in construction cranes. We have also demonstrated in the Port of Rotterdam that our systems can reduce grid load by 60%, which is crucial in times of grid congestion.
With the voucher from the Growth Accelerator Demonstration Energy, we want to investigate and demonstrate our technology within the trolleybus network of Arnhem. This project falls under the ‘Energy in Public Transport’ initiative, involving all major rail partners in the Netherlands, such as ProRail, GVB, HTM, RET, Connexxion, Qbuzz, Strukton, and others. We see this project as an opportunity to show that our flywheel technology is well-suited for capturing and returning braking energy in public transport systems such as trolleybuses, metros, trams, and trains.”
How do you plan to use the Growth Accelerator Demonstration Energy?
“With the support of the Growth Accelerator Demonstration Energy, we have the opportunity to explore why our flywheel is so suitable for the Arnhem trolleybus network. For example, when a trolleybus descends a hill and needs to brake, the energy released can be stored in a flywheel. This energy can then be released when the trolleybus departs again. Additionally, the flywheel helps ‘peak shave’ accelerating trolleybuses, freeing up grid capacity. This allows the trolleybus network to be expanded without needing to modify existing infrastructure or contract value. Finally, the flywheel ensures that the voltage of the traction network remains at an acceptable level. This is crucial for the future vision of the grid and the connection of third parties. The flywheel keeps the voltage level within standards without requiring additional transformers, even when more loads are added in the future.
In this project, we want to look at various data profiles to gain insights into released braking energy, acceleration, and voltage fluctuations, for example.
If the research is successful and all involved parties are satisfied with the results, we aim to conclude with a demonstration where a physical flywheel is connected to the trolleybus network.”
What do you expect from Oost NL and Connectr?
“Oost NL is already a known and existing partner for us. We have been working with Oost NL for years and have gone through various financing structures with them.
Connectr is an excellent example of building an energy transition ecosystem in and around Arnhem. This provides us with a valuable network and access to knowledge and expertise.
QuinteQ Energy is based in Lent, near Nijmegen and Arnhem, and is practically around the corner for us. We see Connectr as a ‘cool environment’ in which we want to be active. Connectr has helped QuinteQ Energy get in touch with relevant parties, leading to the awarding of the Growth Accelerator Demonstration Energy!”
