Boosting the energy transition with a digitally-enabled heat grid
June 16, 2020
June 16, 2020
How can we boost the energy transition in a cost-effective manner? Can district heating play a significant role in the Dutch energy transition? We don't want to jump to conclusions too quickly, but yes, we believe so. WarmtelinQ is a great example of how a digitally-enabled transmission network can have a major impact on district heating.
<<< Start >>>
<<< End >>>
A goal has been set: by 2050, the heating systems of all buildings in the Netherlands need to shift from natural gas to sustainable energy sources—like district heating and electric heat pumps—as has been agreed upon in the Dutch Climate Agreement. By 2030, a greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 49 million tonnes needs to be realized in the Netherlands.
Gasunie—traditionally taking care of natural gas transport—is serious about its role in enabling a zero-emissions energy system. A leading example that demonstrates their ambition is the WarmtelinQ project, which enables emission reductions in the Netherlands by 2 to 3 million tonnes CO2-equivalent per year. With that, it contributes about 5 percent to the 2030 climate goals.
<<< Start >>>
BY 2030
greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced by 49 million tones.
BY 2050
heating systems need to shift from natural gas to sustainable energy sources.
<<< End >>>
<<< Start >>>
2 to 3 million tonnes
of CO2 equivalent per year reduction in emissions, enabled by the WarmtelinQ project.
<<< End >>>
WarmtelinQ is a unique innovation project, powered by Gasunie and the Port of Rotterdam, as it will construct the first open transmission network for district heating in the Netherlands. This network will transport residual heat from industry in the port of Rotterdam to urban areas between Rotterdam and The Hague, giving these areas access to low-carbon energy sources.
In September 2019, the Dutch Government assigned Gasunie to become the first independent Transmission System Operator (TSO) for district heating in our country—the equivalent of TenneT for electricity and Gasunie for natural gas.
<<< Start >>>
<<< End >>>
The daily operations of this district heating TSO will be shaped in a work-stream of the WarmtelinQ project, which we are proud to contribute to. So, how can digital technology help WarmtelinQ build a reliable and cost-effective heat transport company from scratch? And meanwhile, shape a new foundation for our future sustainable energy system?
It’s key to be as cost-effective as possible, to create a heat transport system that benefits society and local communities the most. This means that Gasunie’s task is to operate the network with the lowest possible costs.
We feel lucky to be a part of the project team that is shaping the operating model for this to-be established heat transport company. In our role, we see it as a unique challenge to set up a highly efficient company with a degree of automation, requiring only a minimum amount of specialized manpower to reduce costs.
<<< Start >>>
It's key to be as cost-effective as possible, to create a heat transport system that benefits society and local communities the most.
<<< End >>>
To create this highly- automated heat transport company, we need to take a look at how the latest digital technologies and smart operating model methodologies can help. Being part of the Accenture Utilities community gives us access to worldwide knowledge and experience about shaping optimal to-be scenarios for existing utility companies and their processes.
While shaping the blueprint for a company that yet needs to be established, our team finds itself in a unique position: a position in which we are able to use all available expertise to design a highly efficient and automated company from scratch, enabled by digital technologies.
<<< Start >>>
A vision for the 'Control Center of the Future' as described in Accenture's Digitally Enabled Grid research (Source: Accenture, 2020).
<<< End >>>
To create a digitally-enabled heat grid, there are three categories of digital technologies that we find particularly relevant to consider:
We’re dedicated to finding the digital technologies that offer the highest value in the heat transport value chain. These technologies will be integrated into business processes in a solid operating model that ensures the lowest costs for the end users. With this, WarmtelinQ will connect more urban areas to sustainable energy sources, enlarging local opportunities for transitioning to a sustainable energy system.
<<< Start >>>
WarmtelinQ will connect more urban areas to sustainable energy sources, enlarging local opportunities for transitioning to a sustainable energy system.
<<< End >>>
Gasunie wants to play a key role in the transition from natural gas to sustainable energy sources. A large amount of heat energy is now produced in the port of Rotterdam, in high temperature industrial processes that are essential and will remain essential for our economy in the next decades.
After its contribution to industrial processes, residual heat is not used anymore. By capturing this residual heat and transporting it to households, less natural gas needs to be burned for heating their houses, thereby saving CO2 emissions.
<<< Start >>>
Rotterdam refineries by night (Source: Port of Rotterdam).
<<< End >>>
Finding a new purpose for waste energy leads to net energy savings, but at the source, this energy is still being produced by burning fossil fuels and emitting greenhouse gases. However, in the journey toward a carbon-neutral society, three developments complement Gasunie's mission to boost the energy transition:
<<< Start >>>
The WarmtelinQ network will connect the Rotterdam Port area to The Hague and has various branches to urban areas in Zuid-Holland (Source: WarmtelinQ).
<<< End >>>
WarmtelinQ will set the basis for an inter-connected 4th generation district heating system in Zuid-Holland, by shaping a cost-effective, digitally-enabled heat transport service, that finds a new use for residual heat. In the next decades, this system can play a significant role in the energy transition to establish a carbon-neutral society, while also setting an international example in enabling an open heat market.
If you want to learn more about WarmtelinQ or our utilities expertise, please don’t hesitate to send us a message!