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Working Together for a Future-Proof Electricity Grid

Reactive Power Compensation

Reactive power can cause energy losses and damage to electrical equipment within the electricity grid. That’s why Alliander and GOPACS are launching a pilot project to compensate reactive power in areas where it poses a bottleneck. In this pilot, we will explore how to manage reactive power by smartly utilizing controllable capacity from connected customers.

On this page, you can learn more about the pilot and register your company if you are interested in participating.

What is Reactive Power?

Reactive power is the part of electrical power required to generate magnetic or electric fields in devices such as motors and transformers. This power does not perform direct useful work (like driving machinery or lighting), but it is essential for the operation of many types of equipment.

Because reactive power causes voltage and current to fall out of phase, a higher current is needed to deliver the desired active power. This leads to:

  • Additional load on the electricity grid, resulting in energy losses in the form of heat (network losses).
  • Voltage fluctuations, which can cause faster wear and tear on electrical devices and installations.

Read more about reactive power »

Why is this pilot important?

The energy transition is placing increasing strain on electricity grids. We aim to use the grid more intelligently, ensuring capacity remains available for new customers and sustainable initiatives. That’s why we’re focusing not only on active power but also on better management of reactive power.

Who can participate in this pilot?

Large-scale consumers and producers can actively contribute to managing reactive power. With the right settings and smart control, it is possible to reduce reactive power by generating less of it, or to compensate by absorbing reactive power.

Do you have:

  • Large electric motors or pumps?
  • Industrial processes with high inductive loads?
  • Heat pumps, compressors, or other equipment with variable power demand?
  • Controllable inverters, commonly found in energy storage systems (like BESS), as well as in solar and wind farms?

If so, there’s a good chance you have controllable capacity suitable for helping to mitigate reactive power issues on the grid.

How does participation in this pilot work?

This pilot is expected to launch in Q3 of 2025. We are currently finalizing the specific conditions, such as technical requirements, measurability, and reward structure.

Do you have one of the assets mentioned above and are you interested in participating? If so, please fill out the interest form below. We will keep you informed about the pilot and contact you when we begin selecting participants.