Grid Congestion Learn & Share

The power grid is congested. This has great impact on sustainability and economic development. In the event series Grid Congestion Learn Share, we exchange knowledge, connect partners, and identify what solutions are needed.

We’re organising this event series together with our partners Alliander, Centre of Expertise City Net Zero of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and Waag Futurelab. To solve grid congestion, we need each other. Scaling up and acceleration are still proving difficult. We see two main challenges:

• Knowledge level: Grid congestion is no longer a new topic. Yet many organisations know little about the current situation and possible solutions. When more partners are informed, we can activate a larger group of stakeholders to work together on solutions.
• Overview: Much is already happening nationally, regionally and locally. The Amsterdam Economic Board and our Amsterdam InChange programme are also working on initiatives that touch on the challenges surrounding grid congestion. An integral overview of activities is lacking. Understanding more about what works well and possible next steps, would be a good idea. Then we won’t duplicate efforts.

Flexible energy consumption

What if we’d not all charge our car at the end of a work day? Or if flexible energy contracts would encourage turning on the washing machine when the sun shines? What outcomes would smarter energy use offer for grid congestion? That’s what we talk about during this 4th edition of Netcongestion Learn & Share.

Meindert Slagt (Johan Cruijff Arena) and Richard Ruitenbeek (Municipality of Amsterdam) kick off this learn & share together. Meindert talks about the learnings and challenges in using sustainable energy via a battery and solar panels in the stadium. Richard discusses energy hubs and solutions such as flexibility in the Amsterdam Southeast area.

Then there are 3 interesting sessions you can participate in.

Want to join us?

Are you interested in this event? Or would you like to contribute yourself? Please send an email to Marjan Schrama.

13.45 – 14.00: Arrival

14.00 – 14.15: Welcome

14.15 – 15.00: Kick-off by Meindert Slagt (Johan Cruijff Arena) and Richard Ruitenbeek (Municipality of Amsterdam)

15.00 – 16.00: Break-out sessions

• Omar Shafqat – ATELIER – Business models for local energy systems For the scalability of local energy systems, as shaped in Positive Energy Districts (PED), profitable business models are essential. These models must take into account effects of grid congestion and providing flexibility. But recent changes in energy markets are also causing these models to continually adapt. In this session, Omar Shafqat (researcher Energy & Innovation, Hogeschool van Amsterdam) shares some lessons learned within the ATELIER project related to grid congestion and flexibility, and answers questions such as: What are good examples of successful business models for local energy systems in PEDs? How do changes in the energy market affect the profitability of business models for local energy systems? How do we future-proof business models? What can we learn from existing PED projects for validating business models? This session is in English.
• Pieter Dijckmeester – SADC – Practical case of grid congestion: Schiphol Trade Park, the first sustainable solution for grid congestion Two years ago, SADC, together with the entrepreneurs at Schiphol Trade Park and the grid operator, launched the first innovative collective solution in the Netherlands for grid congestion: the virtual grid. And with success: all companies in the Energie Collectief Schiphol Trade Park are operational, expanding and electrifying, despite grid congestion in the area. What began as an urgent problem has grown into a solid Energy Hub. The numbers don’t lie. The system has proven itself. However, the SADC project team, the Energy Collective and the software developer are not sitting still. In addition to continually optimising the current system, four new tracks are being worked on. Important lesson: technically it can be done, cooperation is the key.
• Friso Schuring – Heliox – Logistic Charging Award Sligro recently won the Logistic Charging Award and is a great example of what is already possible with limited grid capacity. They charge 50-70 electric trucks within 1.4 MW, with Sligro also having to supply an entire distribution center with electricity. How did they do this?

16.00 – 16.15: Plenary recap and closing

16.15 – 17.00: Time to talk and for networking