“Using electricity more intelligently pays off – not just for the climate, but financially as well. By consuming electricity strategically or temporarily reducing usage during peak times, companies can benefit from low prices and help keep the grid stable,” says Jeffrey Bartels, one of the founders and directors of Edmij. Since 2014, Edmij has been active as a Balance Responsible Party (BRP), offering solutions for grid balancing and flexible electricity usage. The company is also a certified Congestion Service Provider (CSP) and an energy supplier.
“Our strength is that we have everything under one roof,” Jeffrey explains. “We’re a BRP, we handle data connections with our customers and the grid operators, and we control the assets. Including for congestion relief. That makes us a true one-stop shop for clients who want to contribute to a smarter energy system.”
Edmij’s portfolio includes large-scale electricity users such as agricultural companies with solar panels, water authorities, and industrial plants. Because Edmij acts as supplier, CSP and BRP, they can respond quickly. “For existing clients, we can often start delivering congestion services within two weeks. In some cases, we’re already steering their devices – all that’s left is to fine-tune,” Bartels adds.
Awareness of flexible capacity has grown rapidly in recent years. More and more companies are discovering that smart energy use is financially attractive. But the level of expertise required is often underestimated.
“You need to be able to coordinate with grid operators, exchange data with suppliers, and technically manage client systems. That takes knowledge and the right tools,” Bartels says. Fortunately, companies increasingly understand that smart timing pays off. “It’s not just about saving anymore. You can actively profit from negative prices or rewards for flexibility. Especially if you also provide congestion services – that adds up nicely.”
For Edmij, working with GOPACS is an essential part of delivering congestion services. “We may well have been one of the first parties to actively work with GOPACS. In the beginning, each grid operator had their own flexibility market – it was chaotic. We operate across regions, so GOPACS really brought the standardisation we needed. That helps in solving congestion issues,” says Jeffrey.
Still, there’s room for improvement. “The dispatch timings differ between grid operators, and their time blocks are not always aligned. That makes it more complicated than necessary. But compared to a few years ago, we’ve come a long way.”
GOPACS is used in various ways. For example, Edmij arranges temporary curtailment of production for solar or wind farms. Or coordinates with large consumers – like cold storage warehouses – to briefly shut down equipment.
Another great example is a water authority in the Amsterdam region, which operates 70 pumping stations. “They typically run four hours a day. If there’s congestion, they can shift their operations to those moments, using locally generated renewable energy right away.”
Even TotalEnergies’ 10,000 EV chargers are used for congestion management. As Bartels puts it: “It’s about collectively making smart use of available space. Whether it’s a battery, pump, generator or industrial process – anything that’s flexible has value.”
Looking ahead, Jeffrey sees potential in private grids, where a commercial party takes the role of grid operator.
“That’s a challenge for us. These grids often face congestion issues but aren’t connected to GOPACS. We see opportunities to bring smart solutions there as well – but since they don’t follow the same standards, integration is trickier.”
Despite the challenges, Edmij remains committed to unlocking flexible capacity. Jeffrey concludes: “The energy world has fundamentally changed: it’s no longer demand, but supply that determines when there’s room on the grid. Companies that align their operations with that reality will benefit – and help the grid in the process. It takes planning, tech and insight, but this is the future.”
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