According to the municipality of Utrecht, the use of water buffers as energy storage is more efficient than just using solar panels or wind turbines. “When generated energy cannot be used immediately, this causes a temporary peak load on the power grid. And if the sun does not shine or the wind does not blow hard, there is a lack of energy,” the municipality writes. “Water buffers store the energy so that it can be used when it is needed.”
Hot summer water in Utrecht is a battery for heating in winter
