Heleen’s Energy blogs
Grid tariffs run sky high – time for action
The costs for our energy infrastructure are skyrocketing. Netbeheer Nederland, the branch organization of grid operators in The Netherlands, predicts an increase in annaul investments and grid management costs by a factor 2 to 3 until 2040, with major consequences for...
Energy hubs: A solution for grid congestion?
The energy transition is in full swing and more and more companies want to switch to sustainable energy sources. In The Netherlands, as well as in other countries, this leads to increasing pressure on the electricity grid, affecting many business parks and industrial...
Yes, an energy hub – now how do we arrange transport rights?
Energy hubs on business parks are popular in The Netherlands. They offer companies a way to collectively make more efficient use of scarce grid capacity. How can a group of entrepreneurs arrange their transport rights with the grid operator? To start with, this...
Battery storage: Indispensable in a flexible energy system
Battery storage increases flexibility in the energy system and is important for efficient use of the grid. In particular lithium batteries are in demand. Driven by the growth of electric vehicles, prices have more than decimated over the past decade, while supply has...
Long-term energy storage: Targets needed
Long-term energy storage (LDEO) differs from storage for a few hours in batteries. To fully discharge, such storage systems need at least 10 hours and sometimes even weeks to months. This makes LDEO systems a very important building block for a robust and sustainable...
Electric vehicles: A key role
The energy transition is facing a growing problem: grid congestion. With renewable energy sources expected to supply 66-80% of the electricity supply in the Netherlands by 2030, the pressure on the grid is increasing. Electric mobility, in the form of Vehicle-to-Grid...
Electricity costs in industry: Europe is the way
The electricity bill, including grid tariffs, is considerably higher for large consumers in the Netherlands than elsewhere . Should grid tariffs for businesses be harmonised with neighbouring countries? The answer is no; unilateral harmonisation is pointless.What...
Green hydrogen: Eggs in two baskets
The Netherlands expects too much from its green hydrogen production. The previous government aimed for 8 GW of electrolysis capacity by 2032 - a doubling of the target from the Climate Agreement - which must rely on 21 GW of offshore wind. Green hydrogen is an...
Sharing energy: From burden to benefit?
The new Dutch Energy Act makes it possible to share energy within energy communities. A great initiative, but how does that work in practice? In this blog I delve into the world of energy sharing and the challenges that come with it.Sharing energy: the basics Energy...
Shell: Full throttle on scope 3!?
In November 2024, Shell won the appeal against Milieudefensie, a Dutch environmental ngo. The court found that Shell cannot be held accountable for achieving a specific emission reduction target. Shell claims it wants to do its very best for the climate and aims to be...