Report

Systems study on Limburg energy infrastructure

Energy infrastructure is a crucial element of the transition to a climate-neutral energy system. Because of the long lead times involved in construction and upgrading this infrastructure, timely identification of required improvements is essential. In the Dutch province of Limburg municipal and regional authorities, grid operators and industry are keen to be actively involved in these issues and ensure the required energy infrastructure indeed materializes. Efforts to this end will need to be mutually integrated, as the traditional dichotomies of supply and demand, gas and electricity, no longer hold for today’s energy transition. Everything is connected and parties are keen to seek the smartest solutions.

The main question addressed in this systems study is: What plans and roll-out of energy infrastructure are required in 2030 and 2050 to enable the energy transition in Limburg?

This systems study crunches the numbers on two scenarios for 2030 (per the Dutch Climate Agreement) and four for 2050 (per the grid operators’ II3050 study) to assess what they mean for the Limburg energy infrastructure. The scenarios differ with respect to the energy demand and local heat and power production envisaged, covering a wide range of options and visions in industry, Regional Energy Strategies and district heating, as well as for the major changes projected for transport mobility. There is no clear picture of what energy supply and demand will look like in 2030, let alone in 2050, which is why scenarios were used to explore the range of possible effects and establish whether and how the energy infrastructure will need adapting.

Authors

Co-authors

Sebastiaan Hers - TNO

Michiel den Haan - Quintel

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