The energy transition brings major challenges, and grid congestion is currently one of the most pressing. Dirk Jan Masselink, co-founder of Repowered, recognized the problem early on. Years ago, during a lecture in Haren (Groningen) about “greening the grid,” it became clear to him that grid capacity in the Netherlands would increasingly become a limiting factor. That realization was the decisive moment to fully commit Repowered to smarter energy use.
Repowered helps organizations—from sustainable energy developers to large energy consumers—optimize their energy consumption and generation. The focus is on flexibility: using or storing energy when it’s available, and relieving the grid during peak moments. Congestion management plays a key role in this. “We don’t see congestion solely as a problem, but also as an opportunity to use energy more efficiently,” says Masselink. “It forces you—sometimes quite literally—to switch smarter.”
Repowered is active as a Congestion Service Provider (CSP) and also offers other services around energy management. This includes access to energy markets, smart curtailment, and battery system optimization. “We help clients understand what’s possible, what the risks are, and how to get a grip on their flexibility,” he explains. “On the consumption side, that’s often highly customized. The lost value of not using electricity for an hour isn’t just about the energy price—it’s about the impact on the entire business chain. That’s why we usually start with an assessment of how much operational freedom the client actually has.”
Collaboration with other market parties, such as BRPs (Balance Responsible Parties) and BSPs (Balancing Service Providers), often proves challenging. “Legally, a customer is allowed to choose their own CSP, but in practice we regularly run into resistance from BRPs,” Masselink explains. “Large energy companies often don’t want a third party on a connection. And for our clients, it’s not always clear what the different market roles are or how they interact. Even when all contracts are signed, implementation still doesn’t always work in practice.” This makes the work of independent CSPs complex. “It’s essential that agreements are clear and executable—and that there’s fair compensation in return,” he concludes.
The GOPACS platform is a valuable tool for Repowered, but the conditions set by grid operators need improvement. Masselink advocates for a central role for GOPACS in sharing activation instructions with all market parties on a connection. “Transparency is crucial. Right now, coordination is often lacking. That creates uncertainty for customers.” He also emphasizes the importance of appropriate remuneration. “Clients need to be willing to invest in flexibility, but that only works if it’s financially viable. Especially when availability is guaranteed but no activation occurs, there should be compensation.” An availability fee—alongside the current compensation per activated megawatt-hour—would, in his view, be an important step toward a mature market.
Masselink calls for standardization. “Each grid operator approaches their role differently, making it difficult for market parties to scale. The transaction costs are still far too high.” According to him, CSPs—if properly integrated—can play a crucial role as the link between grid operators and customers. But they need the space to do their work. His message to GOPACS is clear: “Stick to your core mission. Facilitate, standardize, and ensure that market players can rely on transparent rules and fair compensation. Only then can congestion management become scalable and appealing for the market.”
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