System integration (ESI)

As if our electricity system is not complex enough by itself, we also desperately need it for a successful energy transition. Familiar strategies in our power supply no longer work. Fortunately, the energy transition also offers new opportunities, for instance in the field of digitalisation - provided the players work together 'situationally aware'.

Supply and offtake in our electricity system must always be in balance. This requires continuous monitoring and adjustment on short and long time scales. "This is quite a challenge during the energy transition, because responsibility for this in the Netherlands is divided between different parties," says Aliene van der Veen, digital energy systems expert. "Central coordination of design and operation of all components is lacking, unlike in most other high-tech systems. This makes it difficult to achieve a well-functioning design. Even if the system did have top-down control, it would still be a challenge. There are a lot of places to invest in technology and organisation, and you cannot talk to all parties at once, including the one party in the middle."

Drastic changes

The motivation of citizens and businesses to take responsibility in the energy transition is high. But the electrification required for this has made the playing field even more complex. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are less predictable than traditional energy sources. On top of this, households and companies are increasingly generating - and feeding back - their own energy. And where a few national grid and energy companies used to dominate the market, the playing field is now hugely decentralised with many market players. Partly because of this, the market dynamics are changing: new players and changing roles require even more coordination. And then there are also sweeping societal and technological changes to consider.

Met digitale technologie kunnen grote aantallen partijen voortdurend informatie uitwisselen en daarop handelen om de balans tussen opwek en verbruik in evenwicht te houden.” Wouter Leibbrandt TNO Directeur markt Digital Systems

Key role for digitisation

The electricity system in transition needs to function properly. Digital technology is indispensable here. "With digital technology, multiple parties can exchange and process more information in a shorter time. To keep the balance between generation and consumption in balance, information about the amount of supply and how demand can adjust must be constantly available throughout the electricity system," says Wouter Leibbrandt, director market Digital Systems. "That requires digitalisation right through the whole system, at all sorts of levels. Having information available is one thing, but then demand actually has to be matched. That too goes faster and smoother if it is automated. This is important because our electricity grid quickly becomes overloaded. Adding infrastructure is no longer possible in the long run, so we need to use the existing infrastructure more intelligently."

The exchange game outlined by Leibbrandt also involves a starring role for AI in the future. It will allow the market to combine vast amounts of information into new insights to better predict supply and demand. Leibbrandt: "Without digital technology, we cannot efficiently switch to volatile energy sources, we cannot use more electricity and we cannot play that exchange game. And then we will be stuck in the old electricity system."

Situational awareness

While digitisation offers many opportunities, there are also pitfalls. It brings with it new vulnerabilities, for instance, in the area of cybersecurity. Another spoke in the wheel of successful digitisation of the electricity system is the lack of central coordination - something that hinders an integrated approach. It is important that players in the electricity system understand their own situation as well as that of others and know how they relate to each other. 'Situational awareness' is also called this. Each player needs to know how their situation is related to the rest of the system, without knowing the full system dynamics. When players understand how their choices affect the system, it becomes easier to reach solutions together.

“Richt je op samenwerking en het verrijken van elkaars perspectieven. Dat is de sleutel tot succes.” Aliene van der Veen Digital energy systems expert TNO

Programme

11:45 am - 12:00 pm Login to MS Teams

12:00 u. - 12:05 u. Welcome by KIVI Elektrotechniek

12:05 u. - 12:25 u. Presentation by Wouter Leibbrandt TNO

12:25 u. - 12:45 u. Presentation by Aliene van der Veen TNO

12:45 u. - 13:00 u. Q@A with questions from the chat

13:00 hrs. Closing and end

Read Aliene's Vision piece
Presentation Electricity system in transition requires new strategy for success TNO 17-09-2025
Recording webinar: Electricity system in transition requires new strategy for success 17-09-2025
Q&A webinar "Electricity system in transition 17-09-2025"