Energy provider Greenchoice and investment company Invest-NL are taking a stake in Zhero Systems, a producer of circular energy storage systems. The investment will allow Zhero Systems to expand production of its systems based on reused lithium-ion cells.
The demand for batteries and energy storage is growing rapidly, partly due to the increase in solar and wind power, grid congestion and the phasing out of the net-metering scheme. However, traditional battery production has drawbacks, such as the use of raw materials from polluting mines and dependence on imports. However, consider also CO₂ emissions and high recycling costs. Zhero Systems offers an alternative to traditional batteries with circular battery systems based on used lithium-ion cells.
Growing despite limited grid capacity
The systems are aimed at both businesses and consumers. Thus, the battery systems help companies grow despite limited grid capacity. As an example, Zhero Systems cites a supermarket in IJsselmuiden, which was able to open its doors despite grid congestion thanks to energy storage.
Zhero Systems, originally founded as Refurb Battery, has been operating and based in the Breda area since 2022. The company stamped out a battery disassembly line in six months and now reports having given more than a million lithium-ion cells a second life in its energy storage systems.
Energy management with peakshaving
The company supplies two systems: Zhero Plant and Zhero Grid. Zhero Plant is a long-term solution for companies with higher power demand than their connection can handle. The system regulates energy management with peakshaving, making more efficient use of (green) energy and a quick return on investment.
Zhero Grid offers a temporary solution in case of an overloaded power grid or power shortage, for example for remote construction sites, large events or when grid operators need extra time. The system is flexible and easily expandable.
In addition, Zhero Systems is working on Zhero Home, a circular home battery for consumers. It is responding to the disappearance of the balancing scheme and the need for more people to be self-sufficient. Zhero Systems says it is currently developing the home battery with partners, and will announce more information about the battery in the course of this year.
Long life, repair and reuse
Circularity is central to the design of the energy storage systems. Thus, the systems are designed for long life, repair and reuse, with responsible resource management. The systems are manufactured in the Netherlands.
Marty Smits, co-founder of Zhero Systems, said: "At Zhero Systems, we are convinced that the energy transition will only really succeed if we use valuable resources as long and as often as possible. In doing so, we need to become less dependent on other countries.With partners in the battery industry, we are building circular solutions.We are proud that Greenchoice and Invest-NL share this vision with us and support us to put this into practice on a large scale."
