Ondas de calor sob tensão: como manter a energia

Extreme heat is not only hard on people, animals and nature. The electricity system also struggles during a heatwave.

Air conditioners, fans, cooling systems and refrigerators use more electricity, while electricity production can decline at the same time. With little wind, wind turbines deliver less energy, and warm surface water can force power plants to reduce their output.

That is why attention for backup power, battery storage and locally generated solar energy keeps growing. Not out of panic, but from a simple question:

Which devices must keep running when the power temporarily fails, or when a location has insufficient grid capacity available?

A portable power station with solar panel can then supply power to, for example, a wifi router, smartphone, laptop, lighting, cooler, communication equipment or certain medical devices.

The exceptional heat of 2026

The Netherlands experienced an exceptionally early heatwave from 18 to 29 June 2026. On 26 June a temperature of 39.4 °C was measured in Ell. The KNMI issued code red for the first time during this period because of extreme heat.

Other European countries also faced very high temperatures. Demand for electricity for cooling rose sharply, while among other things low wind production and limitations at French nuclear plants reduced the available electricity supply. French nuclear production was lowered by about 4.1 gigawatt at the end of June because warm river water limited cooling options.

This does not mean a major power outage automatically follows. The European Commission expects no general electricity shortage for most of the European Union in the summer of 2026. It does emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring, sufficient battery capacity and good cooperation between European grid operators.

The main lesson is that during extreme weather, electricity can be less self-evident than we are used to.

Why heat challenges the electricity grid

On warm days several effects come together.

More electricity consumption for cooling

Air conditioners, fans, cold stores, supermarkets and data centers demand more power during heat. Especially in the late afternoon and early evening this can create a strong consumption peak.

Lower production due to little wind

Prolonged warm periods are often caused by stable high-pressure areas. Wind can be minimal, so wind turbines produce less electricity.

Power plants can lose capacity

Thermal power plants need cooling. When river water becomes too warm, reducing output may be necessary to protect ecosystems.

Higher load on local electricity grids

National production is not the only factor. Transformers, cables and local grids also have to transport the higher consumption.

This makes local energy storage increasingly important. A battery can be charged when sufficient power or solar energy is available and use that energy later when demand is higher.

Grid congestion in the Netherlands: what does it mean?

In large parts of the Netherlands the electricity grid is now almost full. This is called grid congestion.

Grid congestion arises when more electricity has to be transported at certain moments than cables and transformers can handle. This involves both high consumption and high feed-in of solar and wind energy.

Since 1 July 2026, areas with grid congestion have new rules for distributing available capacity. Among others, hospitals, defense, schools, homes, public transport and systems that relieve the grid can get priority. Batteries are explicitly mentioned by the government as a way to absorb peaks.

For companies, construction sites, telecom locations and temporary projects, however, a local energy system can prevent every electrical device from depending directly on a heavy grid connection.

What is a power station?

A power station is a portable battery with built-in connections and an inverter. It lets you use regular 230V devices, USB equipment and 12V equipment on the road or during a power outage.

Combined with a portable solar panel you get a compact solar generator:

1. The solar panel generates electricity.
2. The power station stores the energy.
3. The built-in inverter delivers 230V alternating current.
4. USB and 12V outputs feed mobile equipment directly.

Unlike a petrol or diesel generator, a power station produces no exhaust gases, fuel smell or engine noise during use.

Which devices do you want to keep using during an outage?

Do not start with the question of which power station you want to buy. Start with the question of which functions are essential.

For many households it comes down to:

• phone and radio for information;
• wifi router and modem;
• a few LED lights;
• laptop or tablet;
• medical equipment, such as a CPAP device;
• a cooler or compact refrigerator;
• keeping medicines refrigerated;
• a fan during extreme heat.

Write down the wattage and the number of hours of use of each device. With that you can calculate the required battery capacity.

How do you calculate the required capacity?

The runtime of a power station can roughly be calculated with:

With a 308 Wh power station and an estimated usable efficiency of about 85 percent, roughly 262 Wh remains available.

That means in theory:

These are calculation examples. Actual consumption differs per device. A refrigerator, for example, does not constantly use the same power, but can have a high power peak when the compressor starts.

Therefore always check both:

• the required energy in watt-hours;
• the continuous output in watts;
• the peak or starting power of the device.

Which Mobisun suits your situation?

Mobisun Pro Air: for communication and light

The Mobisun Pro Air is a compact solution for smartphones, laptops, lighting, camera equipment and internet connections.

With a capacity of 154 Wh, an output of 300 W and a weight of about 4.3 kilograms, it is easy to take along. The bundle with a foldable 60W solar panel is suitable for camping, day trips, remote work and a compact emergency kit.

Mobisun Pro Air 2.0: robust backup power that stays repairable

For users looking for more power, a longer lifespan and extra protection, there is the Mobisun Pro Air 2.0.

This power station combines a 308Wh LiFePO4 battery with 500 W continuous output and a peak output of 1,000 W. The aluminum housing is IP67 water- and dust-tight. Moreover, the system is fully modular: parts are screwed together and individually replaceable.

The LiFePO4 battery is designed for more than 3,000 charge cycles. Thanks to two 100 W USB-C Power Delivery ports, modern laptops can also be fed quickly. With pass-through charging you can use devices while the power station is being charged.

Mobisun 3000Wh system: for larger energy needs

A normal household refrigerator or freezer can demand a high power peak when starting. For larger cooling appliances, multiple devices or a longer bridging period, a power station with more capacity and a heavier inverter is therefore needed.

The Mobisun Portable Solar Generator with 3,000 Wh storage and 1,800 W continuous output is developed for larger applications. The complete bundle can be combined with four foldable 300 W solar panels.

Before purchase, always measure the actual consumption and starting power of the devices you want to connect.

Mobile energy for companies and temporary locations

Grid congestion does not only affect households. Companies can wait a long time for a new or heavier connection. Temporary construction sites, events, telecom installations and field projects also regularly need power in locations where no connection is available at all.

Mobisun supplies scalable B2B systems for this:

• Mobisun Solar Trailer: a mobile energy system for temporary projects, events, construction sites and emergency aid;
• Mobisun 20ft Solar Container: a compact energy supply for telecom locations, business sites and off-grid projects;
• Mobisun 40ft Solar Container: a larger system for industry, infrastructure, microgrids and long-term off-grid applications.

The systems combine solar panels, battery storage and inverters and are tuned to the energy profile of the project. This allows electricity to be generated and stored locally, without permanently depending on diesel generators or immediately needing a heavier grid connection.

Request a Mobisun B2B energy proposal →

How to prepare practically

A power station only has value when it is charged, tested and within reach.

Therefore use this simple preparation:

1. Make a list of the devices that are truly essential.
2. Note the normal and maximum power.
3. Calculate how many watt-hours you need per day.
4. Test the power station in advance with each important device.
5. Keep the battery charged.
6. Store charging cables and adapters with the system.
7. Practice unfolding and connecting the solar panel.
8. Check the battery status at least twice a year.
9. Store the system in a dry, easily accessible place.
10. During an outage, use only the most necessary devices first.

No panic, but practical energy security

The European electricity system is robust and a heatwave does not automatically mean the lights go out. Yet the events of 2026 show that extreme weather, rising electricity demand and a full grid increasingly coincide.

A portable power station does not solve grid congestion. It can help you be less vulnerable locally.

You can keep communicating, working, lighting and in certain situations cooling with it, at home, on the road or at a location without a fixed power supply. Want to prepare more broadly for longer power outages? Also read our article about how to prepare for 72 hours without power.

The most important step is therefore not to buy as much battery capacity as possible. The most important step is to know:

Which devices must keep working, how much energy do they use and how can you regenerate that energy?

Calculate which Mobisun system suits you

Use the Mobisun Runtime Calculator to compare the estimated consumption of smartphones, laptops, wifi routers, refrigerators, televisions, Starlink Mini and other devices.

Prefer to look around first? View all Mobisun power stations → For companies, construction sites and temporary locations: request advice for a mobile solar energy system →