Dutch Investment Accelerates Production of Repurposed Battery Storage
Amsterdam, Tuesday 10 February 2026
Greenchoice and Invest-NL have backed Zhero Systems to scale energy storage built from repurposed lithium-ion cells, directly addressing grid congestion while reducing reliance on critical raw material imports.
Scaling Circular Storage
The capital injection allows Zhero Systems to rapidly scale up the availability of its battery systems, which are engineered from reused lithium-ion cells [1]. Previously operating under the name Refurb Battery, the company addresses a dual market, providing capacity for industrial applications and home batteries for households [2]. This expansion arrives at a pivotal moment for the Dutch energy landscape. The urgent need for storage is being driven by the growth of wind and solar power, alongside the phasing out of net metering schemes [1]. Furthermore, persistent grid congestion has made independent storage essential for businesses that might otherwise face connection delays [2].
Building a Domestic Chain
A key differentiator for Zhero Systems is its ‘Circular by Design’ methodology. Manufactured in the Netherlands, these units are constructed to facilitate repair, reuse, and the ultimate recovery of materials, mitigating the high recycling costs and CO₂ emissions associated with standard battery production [2]. By extending the lifecycle of these components, the dependency on imported raw materials is significantly reduced [2]. Marty Smits, co-founder of Zhero Systems, emphasises that a successful energy transition relies on using valuable raw materials ‘as long and as often as possible’ [1]. This sentiment is echoed by Emma den Held, Senior Investment Manager at Invest-NL, who notes that the company is effectively building a scalable circular battery chain within the Netherlands [3].
Commercial Implications
For Greenchoice, the investment represents a strategic move to offer its customer base direct access to sustainable storage. CEO Erik van Engelen highlighted that this allows clients to maximise their use of self-generated green power while contributing to resource conservation [2]. The practical viability of this technology has already been demonstrated; for example, a supermarket in IJsselmuiden was able to open its doors specifically due to the deployment of circular energy storage, bypassing local grid constraints [1].