De Woeste Kop Golf Course takes sustainability to the next level

With a 'Water Management' master plan, an 'Energy Transition' program, and a plan for sustainable course maintenance, golf club De Woeste Kop in Axel has laid the foundation for a sustainable golf course. These three areas are also connected via a digital infrastructure.

Thanks to this integrated approach, the 57-hectare golf course protects itself from the effects of climate change. At the same time, biodiversity is increasing, and energy supplies are being switched to solar energy.

The growing need for electricity

The need for electrical energy is also growing on golf courses. Think of the pumps for sprinkling the course on the growing number of dry days, radar equipment and extra lighting on the practice facilities, or electrification the maintenance equipment. However, this increase in energy consumption brought some challenges.

"We wanted to expand, but the grid operator simply couldn't provide it," Pieter Calon of De Woeste Kop says.

"Indeed, citing grid congestion, the permitted peak load was reduced by 14%." De Woeste Kop was faced with a choice between caving in or taking control itself and chose the latter.

One smart, integrated energy system

Together with electrical engineering specialist ETB van de Beek, the association realized a complete future-proof energy system. The basis of this consists of:

• 488 solar panels
• 260 kWh battery storage
• 4 charging stations for electric cars
• Charging points for electric maintenance equipment
• Replacement of the main distributor
• The Embion EMS as central 'conductor' of all energy flows

Where a traditional installation simply distributes what is available, the combination of battery and EMS really takes charge of all energy demand.

"You need a conductor, and that's now the Embion EMS," he says.

The EMS continuously determines what has priority: the baby carriages, the maintenance equipment, the sprinkler pumps, the clubhouse, or just loading visitor cars. The flexibility of the EMS allows all rules to be tailored exactly to the practice of the golf course.

Niels van de Beek, the director of ETB van de Beek, explains:

"With Embion we can program and refine rules ourselves. That is unique. Other systems are often closed, but here we are really at the wheel together. This allowed us to make this complex project, with baby carriages, pumps, solar panels, batteries and charging stations, fit together perfectly."

Crowdfunding and transparency for members

Results so far

1. Full control of energy flows
   The Woeste Kop can now control when which facilities receive power, based on availability and priority.
2. Maximum use of own solar power
   Thanks to the EMS and battery, solar power generated during the day is utilized in the evening and at night. This reduces procurement and increases self-consumption.

3. Protection against grid congestion
   The association stays within the existing grid contract without having to expand capacity.

4. Concretely measurable CO₂ reduction
   Via the dashboard, environmental gains are continuously visible.

5. Ready for an all-electric future
   By 2026, the golf course wants to use all-electric maintenance equipment. The EMS makes this scalable and manageable.

A blueprint for golf courses in the Netherlands

De Woeste Kop has now become a model location. During a seminar, several golf clubs visited the course to learn how they themselves can make it more sustainable. The Dutch Golf Federation (NGF) and the Dutch Association of Golf Accommodations (NVG) also recognize the project as leading the way.

Cooperation that gives energy

Pieter Calon of De Woeste Kop:

"We found it great to notice that both ETB van de Beek and Embion always thought along with us. Not 'no', but: let's see how it can be done. We really did this project together."

Niels of ETB Van de Beek adds:

"The openness and flexibility of Embion makes all the difference. This project could only succeed because the system grows with the customer's needs."

The Woeste Kop is in control, thanks to Embion EMS

With the Embion EMS, the association has a smart, future-proof system that grows with new ambitions: from charging infrastructure to full electrification of the kitchen and clubhouse. This means more energy security, lower costs, less CO₂ and full control.

Want to know more about ETB van de Beek? Find it here!

Want to know more about De Woeste Kop? Find it here!