Over 150 professionals convened at Connect-U for the Smart Energy Hubs Conference on 20 November, chaired by Professor Richard van Leeuwen and co-chaired by Assistant Professor Yashar Hajimolana, with Robert-Niels van Droffelaar (on behalf of Oost NL) as a co-organizer. This event was an initiative by Saxion University of Applied Sciences, University of Twente, and Oost NL, supported by Alliander and the Topsector Energie.
The event brought together researchers, industry experts, municipal representatives, consultants, and business leaders to share insights on Smart Energy Hubs and innovative energy solutions.
The central theme of the conference was to examine the potential role of Smart Energy Hubs in tomorrow’s energy systems, specifically addressing critical questions like:
- Can Smart Energy Hubs help alleviate grid congestion at business parks?
- How can they shape the transition toward sustainable energy systems?
Keynote Highlights
The programme kicked off with a series of compelling keynote presentations from prominent experts:
- Pavol Bauer, Professor of DC Systems, Energy Conversion & Storage at TU Delft, discussed how energy hubs act as fundamental building blocks for the energy transition.
- Jorian Bakker, Senior Policy Advisor on Climate and Energy at the Dutch Ministry, outlined government policies supporting Smart Energy Hubs.
- Marjolein Bot, Program Director for Energy System Integration at Topsector Energie, detailed the Topsector’s working program on Smart Energy Hubs.
- Bart van der Laan, Program Manager for Energy Flexibility at Alliander, addressed the impact of Smart Energy Hubs on distribution system operators (DSOs).
In-Depth Sessions and Themes
The event featured 42 speakers across parallel sessions, delving into key topics surrounding the exploration, development, and operation of Smart Energy Hubs. Themes included:
- Local and regional energy planning for spatial and infrastructure needs.
- Solutions for medium/low voltage network congestion.
- Cybersecure and interoperable ICT systems for monitoring.
- Integration of hydrogen in energy hubs.
- Smart charging and multi-commodity smart grids.
- Tools like MOOI EIGEN for energy hub projects.
Attendees also explored the East Netherlands Smart Energy Hubs pilot programme, gaining insights into the region's innovative initiatives.
A Platform for Collaboration and Innovation
The conference aimed to position Dutch Smart Energy Hubs within the broader energy transition landscape, fostering discussions on sustainable and resilient energy systems. Participants hailed the event as a milestone in knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
Closing Highlights
The conference concluded with a plenary closing session moderated by Robert-Niels van Droffelaar, where key takeaways from the session chairs were shared. The event also featured a Best Presentation Award Ceremony, recognizing outstanding contributions from the day. As the day concluded with valuable insights and new partnerships, organizers promised to evaluate the success of the first edition and begin planning for a second edition of the Smart Energy Hubs Conference.
