This delayed New Year meeting was organised in a 'for and by members' format on the topic of 'local' energy transition. Within KIVI Noord-Holland, a number of our (retired) regional members are actively involved in 1 or more aspects of energy transition. This ranges from organising and/or advising for the community - e.g. in energy cooperatives or for municipalities - to making their own homes or business premises (almost) energy-neutral. The idea of this meeting is that some of these members gave a short introduction about this, not only to inform other members, but also to learn from each other: good experiences gained, but certainly also less good ones. The programme was:

  • Introduction by Tim Timmermans, including on the tightened climate goals at global, European and national level and on the professional working group Transition Vision Heat Heemstede
  • Introduction by Gerard Jägers, including on the challenges of the Regional Energy Strategy in IJmond and on the tasks, opportunities and bottlenecks for energy cooperatives in general and in Haarlemmermeer in particular
  • Introduction by Jan Assink, including on what a citizens' initiative like 'Energie Actief Soest' can mean for residents and municipality, on the tension between energy saving and sustainable heating and on making his own 1930s house more sustainable

Because the first speaker was unable to attend, his contributions were partly taken up by the other speakers in their presentations. Gerard, in his talk on Regional Energy Strategy North Holland (region part South), had an explanation of how various collective projects are running and what viscousness there is to get a project officially approved. Solar meadows, windmills and block heating with initiatives such as in Haarlem were named and explained. In his presentation, Jan explained how the residents of Soest, especially the younger residents, are developing many intiatives with heat pumps, infrared scans and solar panels in addition to properly insulating a house. Obviously with the aim of meeting environmental targets 2030 and 2050.

A discussion arose about whether or not hydrogen is suitable as a new energy carrier instead of natural gas; the aspect that making hydrogen by electrolysis involves a 50% energy loss made those present understand that it is not one solution we can go for. Electrification of houses for heating and cooking processes seem more practical than hydrogen through the old natural gas pipeline network. Whether hydrogen will become important for industry remains to be seen. It is possible that nuclear power from modern reactors could play a role in making hydrogen.

The board of KIVI Region North Holland has the pleasure of inviting you to attend our postponed New Year's Meeting.

As previously communicated, we would like to organise this afternoon in a 'for and by members' format on the topic of 'local' energy transition.

On a global, European and national level, developments with, for example, increasingly stringent climate targets are already often difficult for the average citizen to follow. Within the Netherlands, the approach - with 31 regional energy strategies and no fewer than 345 municipal heat transition visions - seems fragmented, to say the least. Individuals are bombarded on energy saving by various municipal and civic initiatives, energy cooperatives, interest groups, commercial companies, etc.

For engineers, personal cost-benefit analyses are understandable and feasible. Often harder to grasp is the big transition picture and the scale of energy demand/use and supply/production. In this area, the two A4-size infographic by Energie Beheer Nederland each year provides an illuminating overview - via www.ebn.nl

Within KIVI Noord-Holland, a number of our (retired) regional members are actively involved in 1 or more aspects of the energy transition. This ranges from organising and/or advising for the community - e.g. in energy cooperatives or for municipalities - to making their own homes or business premises (almost) energy-neutral. The idea of this meeting is for some of these members to give a short introduction about this, not only to inform other members, but also to learn from each other: good experiences gained, but certainly also less good ones.

As you can see from the programme below, 3 speakers have already been found willing. As additional experiences/insights will further increase the diversity and quality of the afternoon, 1 or 2 more speakers are most welcome.

If you are able and willing to give such an introduction, please send an e-mail to jh.tim.timmermans@outlook.com

Preliminary programme

12:00 - 12:30: reception with drinks

12:30 - 13:15: coffee table

13:15 - 15:00: presentations and discussion

  • Introduction by Tim Timmermans, including on the professional working group Transition Vision Heat Heemstede
  • Introduction by Gerard Jägers, including on the challenges of the Regional Energy Strategy in IJmond and on the tasks of, and opportunities and bottlenecks for, energy cooperatives in general and in Haarlemmermeer in particular
  • Introduction by Jan Assink, including on what a citizens' initiative like 'Energie Actief Soest' can mean for residents and municipality, on the tension between energy saving and sustainable heating and on making his own 1930s house more sustainable


Maximum number of participants: 35. Priority for KIVI Region Noord-Holland members

Documents