In Rotterdam, 15,000 electric vehicle charging stations are doing something revolutionary: they’re stabilizing the Dutch electricity grid. This isn’t just a charging network—it’s Europe’s largest virtual power plant, turning a potential grid problem into an innovative solution for renewable energy integration.
Governments and businesses worldwide face similar electricity supply challenges. Grids, originally designed for centralised and predictable energy, now struggle with the decentralised, weather-dependent nature of wind and solar power. Meanwhile, Europe’s public charging network is expanding rapidly, growing at an annual rate of 55.4% having surpassed 900,000 public charging points at the end of 2024. Without smarter energy distribution, unmanaged EV charging could put unnecessary strain on the grid and drive-up costs. Fortunately, a groundbreaking solution is emerging in Rotterdam, where a network of over 15,000 charging stations operates as a Smart charging network is paving the way for a more resilient, low-carbon future.
The missing link in renewable energy growth
Renewable energy is key to meeting the EU’s 2030 targets of a 42.5% CO2 reduction compared to 1990. To achieve this, more industrial processes, heating systems, and vehicles are being electrified, driving a sharp increase in electricity demand. But as supply and demand become increasingly unpredictable, a critical missing link threatens progress: balancing the grid without relying on fossil fuels.
Historically, only the demand side of the energy equation was somewhat unpredictable, while supply could be easily forecasted and adjusted accordingly. Today, however, demand and supply are increasingly difficult to predict, leading to more frequent imbalances during peak and off-peak hours. Gas turbines—known for their flexibility in quickly ramping output up or down—have been used to provide balancing services. However, this reliance undermines efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions. While EV adoption significantly lowers overall emissions, the continued use of gas-fired power plants during peak demand weakens the sustainability message and invites criticism.
Since the goal is to phase out gas turbines, charging stations can play a crucial role in providing emission-free balancing power. However, achieving this requires coordinated action across the entire energy chain—from producers to consumers. In the Netherlands, national grid operator TenneT, energy providers, and charging infrastructure specialists work together to ensure grid stability.
A data-driven charging ecosystem
Among these key players, Equans operates one of the largest public EV charging networks, ensuring drivers can charge quickly and easily. To manage these charge points efficiently, enable smart charging, and ensure accurate financial transactions, Equans partners with Smatch, a smart charging management system, and Rotterdam-based Last Mile Solutions, a leading EV charging and energy transaction platform. Together, these companies provide a scalable and financially transparent charging network, as seen in the Greater Rotterdam area, where they support 30 municipalities and over 3.5 million residents.
A virtual power plant: the smart solution to energy imbalance
To support 15,000 charging stations, the partners created a ‘virtual power plant’. A virtual power plant doesn’t generate electricity like a traditional power plant. Instead, it’s a smart system that manages and balances energy from different sources to keep the grid stable and efficient. With a capacity of 11 MW, it is among the largest and most innovative virtual power plants in the world.
When grid demand spikes or renewable supply drops, the system temporarily reduces charging power across thousands of stations by small amounts—imperceptible to individual drivers but significant when aggregated across the network.
The continuity of 5 million transactions
The successful implementation of this solution depends on accurate real-time insights into supply and demand. Without the right technology, even the best charging hardware is just a box.
To achieve this, Equans relies on Rotterdam-based Last Mile Solutions, which integrates real-time data from all 15,000 charging stations into its platform. Handling around 5 million transactions per year, it ensures precise billing for EV drivers and seamless revenue distribution to electricity suppliers and Equans. At the same time, it enables Equans to monitor performance, optimize operations, and dispatch technicians when needed—maximizing uptime across the network.
Significant CO2 reduction
By effectively addressing imbalances, an estimated 215 tons of greenhouse gases were saved in 2024—equivalent to 850 flights between Amsterdam and Rome. The virtual power plant lays the foundation for a sustainable ecosystem where intelligent charging solutions accelerate the transition to renewable energy.
In this new ecosystem, electric vehicles and the required infrastructure make a proactive contribution to achieving sustainability goals. Through collaboration between Equans, Smatch, and Last Mile Solutions, this charging network not only meets current needs but also represents the charging network of the future.
The Role of EV charging and energy transaction management platform
At the heart of this transformation is the Last Mile Solution Charge Point Management System, which serves as the central nervous system connecting all elements of the network. Equans about Last Mile Solutions:
“Last Mile Solutions provides the reliability and efficiency we need to manage our charging network. Their platform ensures stable transactions, seamless payment processing, and real-time insights, allowing us to scale and optimize our operations with confidence”.
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