The Netherlands is witnessing a shift in energy storage strategies as Greenchoice and Invest-NL invest in Zhero Systems, a producer of circular energy storage systems built from reused lithium-ion cells.
This investment aims to scale production at a time when battery demand is surging, driven by the expansion of solar and wind generation, grid congestion, and the phase-out of the net-metering scheme.
Traditional battery manufacturing continues to face scrutiny due to reliance on imported raw materials, CO₂ emissions from production, and high recycling costs. Zhero Systems offers an alternative, repurposing lithium-ion cells to create circular storage systems that extend the life of existing resources while maintaining performance for commercial and consumer applications.
Founded in 2022 as Refurb Battery and based in Breda, Zhero Systems rapidly established a battery disassembly line, giving more than a million lithium-ion cells a second life. The company now offers two main systems: Zhero Plant and Zhero Grid. Zhero Plant targets businesses whose energy demand exceeds local grid capacity, using peakshaving to optimize energy use and improve the return on investment. Zhero Grid serves as a flexible, temporary solution to mitigate power shortages, supporting remote construction sites, large-scale events, or overloaded grid areas.
The company is also developing Zhero Home, a circular home battery aimed at residential consumers adjusting to the end of the balancing scheme and the growing need for self-sufficient energy management. While still in development, Zhero Home is designed to continue the circular principles established in the company’s commercial offerings.
Circularity and sustainability are embedded in Zhero Systems’ design philosophy. All systems are manufactured in the Netherlands with a focus on repairability, reuse, and responsible resource management. Marty Smits, co-founder of Zhero Systems, emphasized that extending the life of resources is central to a successful energy transition and reducing dependency on foreign supply chains. He added that partnerships with Greenchoice and Invest-NL will enable these solutions to scale nationally, reinforcing a local, circular energy ecosystem.
