More and more companies are being offered a CBC contract – a Capacity Limiting Contract – by their grid operator. This type of agreement rewards organizations that manage their maximum power consumption flexibly. It can lead to significant cost savings, but also carries risks. In this article, you'll learn about the benefits and pitfalls, how to mitigate those risks, and how a smart EMS helps you get the most out of a CBC contract.
What is a CBC contract?
A CBC contract is an agreement between a company and the grid operator where the customer commits not to draw more than a certain amount of power at any one time. In return, the company receives a discount on network costs or gains earlier access to additional capacity. The underlying principle: it's better to use the existing grid flexibly than to wait years for grid reinforcement.
According to Netbeheer Nederland , interest in CBC contracts has rapidly increased since 2023. They see it as an important tool against grid congestion, provided companies can actively manage their consumption.
What are the benefits of a CBC contract?
A CBC contract primarily offers advantages for companies that can flexibly manage their energy consumption. The financial and operational benefits can be substantial if implemented correctly.
- Cost savings: lower transmission costs and often a discount on connection capacity.
- Faster connection: companies with flexibility gain earlier access to grid capacity.
- Promotes sustainability: encourages smart management of consumption, storage, and generation.
- Negotiating position: by demonstrating flexibility, you can secure better terms during renegotiations.
A smart EMS makes this practically feasible. It monitors the maximum load in real-time and intervenes automatically as soon as consumption threatens to exceed the agreed limit. This way, you leverage the benefits without the risk of contractual penalties.
Do you want to know how a smart EMS helps to profitably deploy CBC contracts? Discover how real-time control and automatic peak monitoring create space - even on a congested grid.
What are the risks of a CBC contract?
The main risk with CBC contracts is that exceeding the agreed limit directly leads to fines or even termination of the contract. The responsibility lies entirely with the customer. The risks can be divided into three groups:
- Financial risk: fines for exceeding limits can amount to thousands of euros per incident.
- Operational risk: too strict limits can restrict production processes.
- Technical risk: without reliable measurement and control technology, compliance is virtually impossible.
According to RVO many companies especially underestimate the operational risk: peak consumption often occurs unexpectedly, for example, due to the simultaneous startup of machines. Automatic control via an EMS is then not a luxury, but a necessity.
How do you limit the risks of a CBC contract?
The key lies in measuring, predicting, and controlling. With real-time data, you can prevent overruns and demonstrate your flexibility. This also increases your negotiation power with the grid operator.
- Real-time monitoring: insight into current and predicted power per quarter hour.
- Alarm thresholds: automatic alerts at 90–95% of the agreed limit.
- Peak shaving: temporary reduction via battery or flexible shutdown of processes.
- Load shifting: shifting consumption to off-peak hours or low-load periods.
- Predictive control: combining weather and production forecasts to avoid peaks.
A smart EMS automates all of this. It predicts load peaks, manages loads, and logs evidence for audits – essential for discussions with the grid operator.
What does a well-designed CBC strategy look like?
A CBC strategy is only effective if technology, contracts, and organization work together. Successful companies follow a structured approach:
- Analyze your consumption profile: determine which processes cause peak loads.
- Determine your flexibility potential: what can be temporarily reduced or shifted?
- Utilize battery storage: relieve the grid during peak times and feed back when there's capacity.
- Implement control: link loads to an EMS with predictive capabilities.
- Continuous monitoring: monthly evaluate the results and adjust limits.
According to TenneT active control with storage can reduce the required connection capacity by 20–30%. This makes the CBC model not just an emergency solution, but a strategic tool for growth.
What are the real-world experiences with CBC contracts?
Companies already working with CBC contracts report mixed experiences. Success depends on preparation and management. An example:
A cold storage facility in North Brabant only received additional grid capacity after signing a CBC contract. Thanks to a 500 kWh battery and smart control via an EMS, it stayed within the agreed limit and saved €60,000 annually on transport costs. This would not have been possible without automated control.
Such an approach requires discipline: analyzing data, responding to alarms, and flexible planning. But the results speak for themselves.
Conclusion: CBC contracts require smart control
A CBC contract is not a limitation, but an opportunity - provided your consumption is under control. The benefits can be significant: lower costs, faster connection, and greater control over flexibility. However, without real-time insight or control, you risk fines and production losses. With a smart EMS you automate compliance, maximize your available capacity, and turn limitations into growth opportunities.
Zympler provides smart energy management software that solves grid congestion, lowers energy costs, and supports growth. We achieve this by integrating all your assets, grid connection management, and your trading and balancing strategy into one central system, which optimizes all these aspects in real-time, 24/7. This allows you to maximize the potential of your connection, achieving the most favorable financial results.
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