Moerdijk, the Netherlands – 1 July 2025 – Steinweg Delta Marine Terminal B.V. a multipurpose terminal and member of the C. Steinweg Group (Steinweg), specialized in logistics and commodity handling, and QuinteQ Energy B.V., a pioneer in high-performance flywheel energy storage systems, have successfully concluded a groundbreaking pilot project demonstrating the potential of flywheel energy storage to alleviate grid congestion and enhance energy efficiency in demanding port operations.
The pilot took place at Steinweg Delta Marine Terminal in Moerdijk—one of the Netherlands’ busiest and most strategically located seaports—from May 20 to July 1, 2025. The project aimed to test the feasibility and performance of QuinteQ’s Flywheel Energy Storage System (FESS) under real-world operational conditions, specifically focusing on managing power peaks generated by heavy-duty crane operations.
Tackling Grid Congestion with Innovation
With a recent operational expansion at its Moerdijk site, Steinweg faced a significant challenge: an insufficient grid connection to support its growing energy needs. Conventional grid upgrades proved unfeasible due to congestion, prompting the search for alternative solutions.
“As part of our review of alternative solutions, we recognized that peak energy demand from our crane operations could pose a real barrier to our operations and growth,” said Amy Langley, Managing Director, Steinweg Delta Marine Terminal B.V. “Partnering with QuinteQ allowed us to explore a future-proof solution tackling both energy efficiency and energy flexibility that aligns with our operational needs as well as our sustainability goals.”
QuinteQ’s compact flywheel system was deployed to reduce peak loads during crane lifts—events that typically cause short but intense spikes in electricity demand. The technology’s ability to charge and discharge in fractions of a second makes it especially suited for this type of application.
Results: Efficiency, Stability, and Sustainability
Throughout the pilot, the flywheel system proved capable of reducing peak power demand of the cranes by 70%, significantly easing the load on the local grid and creating room for continued operational growth. The system also demonstrated benefits in improving power quality by compensating for reactive power, commonly associated with crane operations. Improving power quality enables terminals to operate heavy equipment like cranes more reliably and efficiently, reducing the risk of downtime and equipment wear caused by voltage dips and electrical disturbances. It also enhances energy efficiency and grid stability, lowering operational costs and supporting future electrification efforts.
“Our flywheel performed very well under these conditions,” said Timo Pauel, Business development manager, QuinteQ Energy. “This project is for us a perfect showcase of how flywheels can directly support growth for terminal operators, while boosting energy efficiency and grid resilience.”
The flywheel system’s key benefits include:
- Infinite peak shaving of intense power peaks caused by cranes
- Compact footprint and modular design
- No fire risk, due to its mechanical (non-chemical) nature
- Longer lifespan, often 2–3 times greater than conventional batteries
Next Steps
Buoyed by the success of the pilot, Steinweg and QuinteQ are now exploring a full-scale rollout at the Moerdijk terminal, as well as opportunities to deploy the technology across other Steinweg sites facing similar energy limitations.
“The successful completion of this pilot confirms that innovative energy storage solutions like QuinteQ’s flywheel can play a key role in the future of our terminal operations. We are excited to further explore the potential of this solution as we continue our journey towards combining operational growth with sustainability and reliability. ” said Amy Langley, Managing Director, Steinweg Delta Marine Terminal B.V.
About Steinweg Delta Marine Terminal B.V.
Steinweg Delta Marine Terminal B.V. is a multipurpose terminal, specializing in the storage, handling, and forwarding of commodities within the Port of Moerdijk. Part of the C. Steinweg Group which has operations across the world and select global ports, Steinweg serves key industries including metals, minerals, and chemicals.
About QuinteQ Energy B.V.
QuinteQ Energy is a Dutch clean-tech company specializing in advanced flywheel energy storage solutions, designed for rapid response and extreme durability. Their flywheels are ideal for peak shaving applications to reduce power demand from electric cranes, enabling ports to grow without excessive grid connections. With over 15 years of lifespan and virtually no degradation, QuinteQ supports the transition to more efficient, fossil-free port operations.
