The eMobility market in Belgium is experiencing rapid growth, raising concerns about a potential collapse of the electricity grid.
In response to this situation, Watt’s Next offers a solution.
“We have been paving the way to become a valuable authority in bidirectional charging, providing solutions in this regard,” details Tim Briers, CEO and founder of the company, to Mobility Portal Europe.
Its business model focuses on providing information and tailored solutions for charging infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on optimising energy flow.
“Our aim is not only to charge electric vehicles but also to balance the grid and reduce our clients’ energy bills,” he emphasises.
The firm has been working on bidirectional charging solutions, preparing for when compatible hardware becomes available on the market.
One of the company’s highlights is its new service, Let’s -e!, which offers marketing services to car brands and charging stations.
“If we want to ensure we can persuade people to make the switch, we need to improve in marketing,” states the CEO.
His motivation to pursue bidirectional charging stemmed from his personal experience with a Nissan LEAF in 2019.
Due to the initial difficulties in finding a charging station with this technology in Belgium, Briers decided to take matters into his own hands.
This resulted in the certification and installation of the first bidirectional station for the Nissan Leaf in the country in 2022.
“The benefits of this type of charging are numerous,” he explains.
He elaborates: “It allows for the storage of green energy and its reuse, reduces peak demand, sells energy during peak hours, and contributes to grid stability, which could prevent large investments in grid optimisation.”
This philosophy has enabled the firm to establish strong and ongoing partnerships with various stakeholders, allowing it to stand out in a highly competitive market.
Watt’s Next primarily works with companies seeking charging solutions for their fleets, energy cooperatives, and car dealerships.
Furthermore, the company has participated in several Interreg European projects involving vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging with shared cars, albeit with mixed success “due to the complex administration required to connect a bidirectional charger to the grid” in Belgium.
Watt’s Next’s solution is compatible with various vehicle brands, including Polestar, Volvo, Kia, and Renault.
In this context, the firm supports several car manufacturers with the “arduous” certification of their onboard inverter, which must be certified before connecting to the grid.
“To my surprise, those brands had not yet begun the registration process or were even unaware that this was a requirement,” states the CEO.
The company also offers smart stations capable of recharging with solar energy, load balancing, and peak reduction.
“Our goal is reliability and top-notch support,” Briers emphasises.
Watt’s Next primarily operates in Flanders, Brussels, and northern Wallonia.
However, the company has faced challenges in Wallonia due to a lack of investment in infrastructure from the regional administration.
“We hope this changes with a new government, but it will take time,” comments Briers.
Currently, Belgium has over 19,295 installed charging points, of which 76.4 per cent are located in Flanders compared to 13.2 per cent in Wallonia.
Despite these difficulties, the company has managed to establish a significant presence in the other regions, capitalising on the growing interest in electric mobility.
Moreover, it does not rule out the possibility of expansion both domestically and internationally; however, according to Briers, they prefer to focus on organic growth and consolidating their existing operations.
“It is important for us to be fully prepared for the paradigm shift that extends beyond mobility to encompass energy management as well,” he adds.
In the second quarter of 2024, Watt’s Next became an installation partner of Sterckx-Desmet, a dealership that includes brands such as Lotus Brussels, Polestar Brussels, and Volvo Brussels in its portfolio.
In 2023 Watt’s Next had already partnered up with Vermant, which also offers Volvo and Kia.
With a dedicated team and a clear vision, the company is well positioned to lead the shift towards a more efficient and sustainable charging infrastructure.
“I have the privilege of working with very dedicated individuals who are eager to embrace new technologies and provide valuable insights,” he concludes.
