most common questions
Select a home battery
How do I select the right battery?
A standard size home battery is a 10 kWh storage and a 5 or 10 kW inverter. The larger the inverter, the faster the energy exchange. The size of the inverter does depend on your grid connection; a 1-phase connection can handle an inverter up to 5 kW and a 3-phase connection can handle a 10 kW inverter.
View all models here and use the filters to find the right model for your household. Simply place your order via the website. We will then schedule an online appointment with you to map out your situation. After ordering and delivering the hardware, one of our qualified installers will visit you to install the battery.
When is a home battery suitable for a home?
We have been offering the smart home battery in the Netherlands for small consumers since 2023. With 6 models for the time being, there is a suitable system for every household and small business.
The battery can be used in combination with, for example, an e-boiler, heat pump and/or a charging station. With a smart home battery you always have the lowest possible electricity bill, with and without solar panels.
What is the warranty of a home battery?
The home battery consists of (stackable) batteries & inverter. Just like your phone’s battery, the battery’s capacity decreases as it ages. The manufacturer specifies a minimum capacity of 60 to 80% power capacity for its batteries after 10 years and/or a number of charging cycles ranging from 6,000 to 10,000. This varies per manufacturer and is described in the product description. The Gridbuilder is the point of contact for warranty requests.
Will my solar power be stored?
If your solar panels generate electricity when the battery is being charged, this electricity is stored in the battery. The smart control determines when charging takes place based on the hourly electricity prices. It happens that your solar panels generate electricity, but the battery does not charge. You then sell your solar power to the grid. Because the battery charges during the cheapest hours of the day, Bliq prevents you from getting a bad price for your electricity.
Will I still have power in the event of a power outage with a battery?
Only if you also install your own backup grid so that the battery can supply power via your own grid. Fortunately, the power outage on the Dutch grid
minimum and power supply by Tennet is guaranteed up to 99.99% in recent years. If you want to install a backup grid, this can be requested. This will require a significant expansion of your meter cupboard to accommodate all the power.
Installation of a home battery
Do I need to adjust my meter cupboard?
When requesting a storage system, we will examine the meter cupboard and adjust it where necessary. For example, an extra group is needed for the storage system, a cat6 network cable will be drawn from the modem to the communication box at the inverter and an extra power point for both the maintenance switch and the EMS connection.
How long does the installation take?
We usually need around 1 day for an installation. This is separate from the work on the meter cupboard up to the maintenance switch.
Energy management system
How much does an EMS - energy management system cost?
For small consumers we have a free introduction to EMS with EPEX control. For total management with self-consumption we use the Gridbuilder-BBT (battery based trading) system; here the return is the greatest with significant monthly savings.
The amount of the subscription depends on the size of your battery*. The prices mentioned are per month and include VAT. EMS battery capacity charges:
- ≤ 15 kWh: €7,-
- = 31-50 kWh: € 12,-
- ≥ 51 kWh: customization
The subscription can be canceled monthly. After cancellation, the home battery returns to self-consumption mode.
How long does the installation take?
We usually need around 1 day for an installation. This is separate from the work on the meter cupboard up to the maintenance switch.
Can I trade on the energy market?
Yes, there is trading and coordination with the hourly prices on the energy market, but the imbalance market and the frequency market are also taken into account so that the highest possible return is achieved. The greater the connection, storage and inverter capacity and self-generation, the greater the yield.
How does the EMS manage energy use?
The Energy Management System is a separate box with AI software. This coordinates all components within an asset with kWh meters where necessary for optimal coordination. The system is installed separately and is included in consultation with the customer when purchasing a storage system.
Within the grid, energy demand, generation, weather forecast, consumption during the day/week and the energy markets are taken into account. The charging and discharging sessions are coordinated accordingly and the internal energy management is optimally adjusted.
Can the EMS also control my charging station and heat pump?
The Gridbuilder assumes the home battery as the central point. If there is enough cheap electricity in the home battery, all devices can tap from it. So control of a specific device is not necessary.
It is also important to avoid power peaks that the battery is the central point. This view allows us to keep it technically simpler and therefore cheaper. We can also read heat pumps and install a kWh meter for this.
Return conditions
Want to opt out of a planned installation?
You can cancel your installation appointment up to 2 weeks before the scheduled installation date. We will then refund the payment and cancel your order. If you cancel the installation in the 2 weeks prior to the installation, we will charge a cancellation fee of 500 euros.
How can I return and the costs?
If you exercise your right of withdrawal, the products must be returned to us with all accessories supplied, where possible, in the original condition and packaging. If returns in the original packaging are no longer possible, it is your responsibility to ensure correct packaging so that the products arrive with us in good condition.
Given the size of the package that we are returning and the vulnerability of the products, we are happy to collect the package from your home. This is taken care of by our in-house installer. The costs for returning the products from your home to Bliq are at your expense. The costs for this are €250. If you want to take care of the return yourself, we request that you observe the same quality standards so that we receive the products back in good condition.
If installation of the products has already taken place and we therefore have to have the products uninstalled, these costs will also be at your expense. These costs amount to € 1,000 (excluding the return of the products). We use an installer approved by Bliq to uninstall the products.
As indicated, we will then refund the order amount due within 14 days after registering your return, provided that the product has already been returned to us in good order.
So handle the product with care and ensure that it is properly packaged when returned.
Dynamic energy contracts
Why do I need a dynamic contract?
Old-fashioned energy contracts offer electricity for a fixed or variable price. Your supplier buys the electricity on the wholesale market and sells it back to you with a margin. And for the electricity that you return more than you use, you get a lot less than the market price.
During the day there are often large differences in the price for one kWh per hour. We make smart use of this by purchasing and selling at the right times.
With a fixed or variable energy contract you do not have these price differences and these additional savings are therefore not possible.
What is a dynamic contract with hourly prices?
The prices of a dynamic energy contract are directly linked to the prices on the daily markets (so-called ‘day-ahead market’).
Here, electricity prices fluctuate every hour. With a dynamic energy contract you benefit from these fluctuations by charging at cheap times, using it at home, and selling the surplus when the price is high.
The actual price of electricity that is used or supplied at that specific moment is taken into account.
The next day’s prices are announced every day around 3:00 PM. The prices are fixed and cannot be changed.
Which providers provide dynamic contracts?
In the Netherlands there are various providers of dynamic energy contracts such as ANWB Energy, Nieuwe Stroom, Tibber and Next Energy. More information about energy contract with hourly prices.
Am I stuck with one energy supplier?
No, you are free to choose your energy supplier. If you already have a dynamic energy contract and are satisfied with it, you can remain a customer here.
If you currently have a variable or fixed energy contract, you can use our (free) switching service. However, this is not mandatory.
What is the Wholesale Market (EPEX)?
Most energy suppliers do not (entirely) produce the electricity they sell themselves. They buy these on the wholesale market. Here the prices are usually a lot lower compared to variable or fixed contracts.
In the Netherlands, this is the EPEX electricity exchange, where electricity prices are determined every hour based on supply and demand. These prices are determined 24 hours in advance, which is why it is also called the Day Ahead market.
Business solutions for large consumers
Can I get a solution to prevent grid reinforcement?
Of course. It is calculated how many kWh are consumed, what the generation is or is desirable to achieve with a storage capacity that takes into account optimal yield and contributes to grid balancing and peak shaving. It is calculated how much storage contributes to the possible prevention of a grid reinforcement.
Can I also get the total solution financed?
Yes, that’s possible. A monthly amount is charged during a fixed period of time. This is 10 years by default.