As Europe electrifies heating, grid congestion has emerged as one of the greatest barriers to the energy transition, at least in the Netherlands. DACS-HW addresses this challenge with a groundbreaking solution: the collective, grid-aware control of heat pumps at neighborhood level, transforming thousands of individual appliances into a coordinated flexibility resource.
In a real-world pilot in Dalen, the Netherlands, 100 heat pumps were connected through an innovative digital control platform linking grid forecasts, real-time data and consumer preferences. The project successfully demonstrated that coordinated control can reduce peak electricity demand by 25%, without any noticeable loss of comfort for residents.
What makes DACS-HW truly innovative is that it moves congestion management from large industrial assets to ordinary households. By integrating grid operator forecasts, open communication principles, advanced control algorithms and consumer participation, the project created a scalable blueprint for unlocking flexibility behind the meter.
More than a successful pilot, DACS-HW proves that smart coordination can create additional grid capacity, defer costly network reinforcement and accelerate the deployment of sustainable heating technologies. It demonstrates how digitalization, flexibility and citizen participation can work together to build a more resilient, affordable and future-proof energy system.
