Accidental neighbors become perfect match: how two startups aim to make energy transition affordable

With a wide range of technical, legal, and economic aspects, the energy market is quite complex. Within this complex playing field,EnerzienandEnergy Poolhave each found their own niche.

"We are the architects of the smart energy system," says Rick Peters, commercial director of Enerzien. "We tackle complex grid congestion issues for real estate, energy hubs, industry, and energy developers. Our goal is to design smarter, integrated systems, not only to solve grid congestion, but also to achieve the most sustainable kilowatt hour at the lowest price."

Complementary strengths in a complex market

Energy Pool, on the other hand, focuses on the implementation and management of such systems. The company has been active since 2009, with 7,000 completed projects across 18 countries. In the Netherlands, the company is still in a kind of 'start-up mode'. "We specialize in identifying and utilizing energy flexibility to balance power systems," says Marc Vergroesen, managing director of Energy Pool in the Netherlands.

We are a balancing and congestion service provider, or 'flextrader'. We ensure that companies with flex get maximum return from their installations. We actively contribute to reducing CO₂ emissions in industry and the transition from fossil fuels to electricity.

‘Keeping each other sharp’

On paper, two different companies in the same world, but above all: complementary. "We saw good synergy between our companies," says Peters. "But as independent experts, we have a duty to provide the right technical, financial, legal, and contractual support. We fulfill an architectural role, working together to provide a perspective for action. Once a smart energy system has been set up, we typically step out of the process, and then it's up to a party such as Energy Pool to properly configure and monetize the integrated system."

So it is not a given that Energy Pool will be called in when a project moves into the implementation phase, Vergroesen notes. "We can demonstrate at an early stage that we are also capable of taking the next step, but then it remains somewhat biased. It is preferable to have an independent consultant present that narrative, who then keeps us on our toes. We believe we are the best, but that is for others to judge."

Short lines of communication and quick solutions

As luck would have it, both companies moved to B. Amsterdam, a hub for startups and scaleups, within a short period of time. "That was pure coincidence," says Vergroesen. "It means that when you have a question that would normally require you to get in your car, you can now just walk downstairs with two cups of coffee for a quick brainstorming session. It's a really nice way to collaborate."

This collaboration also yields immediate benefits. "We see that the complexity of issues poses a major challenge, especially for startups, because their conversion time is often long. It is so important to have experts with knowledge of the problem involved early on in the process. This allows us to clearly map out the whole picture and identify all the facets."

‘Small consumers do not yet see the added value’

Although Enerzien and Energy Pool are already achieving success with various progressive customers, reaching the broader market poses a major challenge. "We are currently working with Champions League customers who value advice and understand that it pays off," says Peters. "Part of the market, especially smaller consumers, does not yet see our added value because they are not looking that far ahead and underestimate the complexity. It is up to us to come up with a scalable approach to reach and convince these companies as well, so that we can support them too."

‘Energy flexibility is the key’

‘We both consider energy flexibility to be the key to an affordable energy transition," says Vergroesen. "The better the demand for electricity in the future is aligned with generation, the lower the necessary investments in additional infrastructure can be. The energy systems developed by Enerzien and managed by Energy Pool are, by definition, energy systems of the future with a high degree of flexibility."

Talent management as the number one priority

Both companies have no shortage of ambition and desire to scale up further. But while there is plenty written about the shortage of electricians, Vergroesen is also experiencing recruitment problems at Energy Pool. "The biggest challenge is talent management. How do you find, onboard, and retain good people who understand this niche market? Because without those people, the organization cannot grow."

"Especially in a startup, within a high-performance environment, it is very important to have a keen eye for development and personal growth," says Peters. "Employees are talented and grow quickly, so developing and retaining this talent is the number one priority."

Location plays a role in recruitment

The company's location, B. Amsterdam, plays a major role in attracting young talent, says Peters. "In this young market, we want to attract a diverse team of millennials and Gen Z. The vibe and startup environment fit perfectly with our vision and culture. We find that we can attract young talent fairly easily, but the biggest challenge is to properly manage the responsibilities for these high-quality projects and create a culture in which it's okay to make mistakes and develop quickly."

Peters and Vergroesen have actually found that they do not compete with each other in the labor market. "There are actually two labor markets, which overlap to some extent," says Vergroesen. "At the end of this month, we are organizing a YEPPEN drinks party forYoung Energy Professionals, together with another company. It's a great example of how we found each other. We want to bring the market together by sharing knowledge."