The Final Energy Symposium: Does the Dutch Energy Agreement offer a future for the Netherlands?

The meeting was opened by the chairman of Region South who recalled that intensive preparation within the region had led to a fine series of seven meetings on the subject of energy management and CO2 reduction. The driving force behind that preparation had been Gijs Schoonewelle, who had also drawn up the thread of the series with the energy flow, the CO2 mass balance and the footprint for the Netherlands. Gijs was then given the opportunity to introduce the speakers by using these three diagrams to outline the overall overview for the Netherlands and thus the importance of the connection between types of energy use and characteristics of energy users. This orientation in energy management and CO2 reduction as discussed in the five previous meetings is reflected here.
With 60 participants, a good turnout of which mainly KIVI members, a few students and a number of external interested parties from companies and institutions.
Four speakers provided input for the discussion. Aart Dekkers (Ministry of Economic Affairs) gave a clear and comprehensive exposé on the Dutch Energy Agreement. In doing so, he indicated that he wanted to steer implementation mainly on the need for partners to maintain or improve their competitive position in the transition by being at the forefront of unavoidable changes in energy and fossil hydrocarbon use. Only if entrepreneurs and society fail to do so should regulation be deployed. His presentation can be found here.


Marc Londo (ECN) put the road to 2020 in perspective for 2050. He focused on the three pillars of consumption: heat (gas), electricity (coal/gas) and mobility (oil), which will be surrounded by sustainable and renewable energy sources by 2050. From the combination of applications of energy carriers in the transition period, that creates a wide range of developments in which sticking to the fossil hydrocarbon carriers will lead to losers and timely entry into renewables the chance of gains. His presentation can be found here.


From the Green Court of Auditors, two presentations were given urging critical examination of whether the alternative paths taken will lead to good solutions. Kees le Pair used examples to show that in practice, the challenges of wind energy efficiency fall far short of the values mentioned and may even lead to increased energy consumption and fossil use. His presentation can be found here. Jeroen Hetzler took those present through climatic developments from prehistoric times to the present with figures showing that the link between CO2 from fossil hydrocarbons and climate change is by no means as firm as was claimed until recently. He further addressed the costs associated with transition. His presentation can be found here.
With the information from the five previous meetings, the information from the four speakers and (see here) the input for the discussion from Wil Kling (TU/e), the panel discussion started. The panel consisted of the speakers, Lucia van Geuns (Clingendael), Wil Kling (TU/e) and Reinier Grimbergen (DSM). Led by Josee van Eijndhoven (EIA Committee, and KIVI, Council for Science Technology and Society), a lively exchange unfolded between panel and audience. Summarised by Josee as follows:

Conclusions final debate Energy Region South
The input of the various speakers for the final debate was diverse: partly focused on short-term and long-term policy, respectively on a critical analysis of the societal need for sustainable (non-fossil) energy sources and of the possibilities at the current state of technology. The three additional participants in the final debate brought in their own perspective: the share of renewable electricity (Kling), a possible contribution of industry by focusing on a circular economy (Grimbergen) and a global perspective (van Geuns). It is clear that we are on a moving train aimed at reducing fossil energy use, but that there are still many bumps in the road whether it is towards 16% renewable by 2020 or reducing fossil use by 80% by 2050.


Everyone agrees on the importance of the trias energetica: first save energy, then generate it as sustainably as possible, and finally use fossil fuels as sparingly as possible. Especially in existing buildings, a big battle can be struck in saving energy use. Dutch industry cannot get rid of fossil fuels in one fell swoop. Given the nature of the industry, rapid abandonment of fossil fuels will cause major damage.


Recently, the Netherlands has paid much more attention to energy security and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. The tensions in Ukraine, among others, have highlighted how we have assumed too conveniently the availability of fossil fuels (and especially gas) for Europe. This increases the focus on alternative forms of energy supply. We also realise our international interdependence.


Technical developments continue all the time, although in the Netherlands we are not always good at closing the gap between new potentials and realising them in practice. It is clear that there are still major challenges in further developing and applying non-fossil energy sources, such as energy from sun, wind, and the potential of water (fresh-salt, hot-cold). Realising effective storage systems for energy generated at times when there is less demand than supply also has a long way to go. Many possibilities are under development, but the future situation cannot yet be tied to specific technologies. What is clear, however, is that nuclear energy will continue to be used worldwide.

You can read about the meeting in the annonce of this closing symposium as it is included on this site, see here.


An article on the project on energy and CO2 reduction with the six meetings of which the symposium will be included in the July magazine 'De Ingenieur'.

Description

After aluminium, will steel and petrochemicals also disappear or will we find ways to meet our energy needs at the European required reduction of fossil CO2 and greenhouse gases.

The picture from the six previous meetings shows what technical possibilities leading experts see for organising energy consumption in such a way that we can approach the European standard of 80% fossil CO2 reduction for the Netherlands. The transition will be accompanied by major consequences and risks for the established social constellation, the economy and our well-being.
From this picture, Aart Dekkers explains where the path to 2020 leads us within the Dutch Energy Agreement. What results have been set as goals by the partners and how direction and monitoring ensure proper coordination in the complex interaction of supply and offtake of energy.
Marc Londo looks beyond the boundary of time and the Netherlands and places the Netherlands in its environment to the perspective of 2050. How the Dutch Energy Agreement fits into this and what can and must still be done.
After the first break, Kees le Pair will discuss the bottlenecks that lie ahead towards 'green energy', followed by Jeroen Hetzler who will give a picture of the costs involved in a major transition.

In the panel discussion, members will be challenged to test the outlined routes for necessity, desirability, feasibility, effectiveness and consequences for the Netherlands as such and in its position in the world. Both the technical aspects of the transition and the consequences for industry, the built environment, agriculture, horticulture and transport as well as energy supply will be addressed, with risks and costs. Naturally, participants will have ample opportunity to participate in the discussion

1. Opening and explanation on Energy and CO2 emission management in the Netherlands
2. Explanation of the Netherlands' course to 2020 within the Energy Agreement.
3. Explanation of the perspective to 2050.
4. The problems of 'green electricity'
5. The costs of a transition
6. Panel discussion and opportunity for questions
7. Closing and drinks

Speaker(s)

Introduction by members of KIVI Region South,
Drs. Aart Dekkers, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Unit Head Directorate Energy and Sustainability,
Dr. Marc Londo, ECN, Senior manager global sustainability.
In the panel the speakers and further experts drs. Lucia van Geuns,Clingendael Institute, Prof. Wil Kling, TU-Eindhoven, Ir. Reinier Grimbergen, DSM, Dr C. (Kees) le Paire, De Groene Rekenkamer and Ir. Jeroen Hetzler, De Groene Rekenkamer.
Moderator of the afternoon: Prof. Dr Josee van Eijndhoven (Committee on EIA, KIVI Council Science Technology and Society).

Location

Black Box

Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ Eindhoven

Organiser

Region South

Name and contact details for information

drs. ing. Cor van den Bosch, t: 06 50638128 e: jocobowi@onsbrabantnet.nl ir. Gijs Schoonewelle t: 0032 36667787

gijsschoonewelle@hotmail.com