Energy Transition Parks

1. What is an Energy Transition Park?

An Energy Transition Park (ETP) is a model for reinforcing and accelerating ‘sustainability’ and ‘greening’. This is accomplished by developing and demonstrating innovative technological designs and actively applying them in existing and new industrial parks. All of this is carried out in close cooperation between industries, government bodies and knowledge institutes.
ETPs involve intense collaboration among the organisations they accommodate. The parties use a central energy supply (electricity and high-quality heat) which they themselves might provide. This way, they (re)use each other’s energy. Collective use of these facilities is very attractive in terms of costs and offers a foundation for extensive greening and sustainability in the area. The use of raw materials is also being examined with a view to further greening.

2. What does an Energy Transition Park do? How does it work?

There are a number of ways in which an ETP can work. A good example of how one can be set up is the Midden-Drenthe ETP in Wijster.

Midden-Drenthe Energy Transition Park
The Midden-Drenthe ETP takes maximum advantage of its proximity to Attero’s integrated waste energy plant (GAVI). Companies that use heat in their production processes can purchase heat from Attero under attractive conditions, thus making their production process cheaper and more sustainable. This way, the heat recovered from the GAVI plant from waste flows and residual flows can be put to optimal use by supplying businesses with high-quality sustainable energy. Businesses can also exchange heat amongst themselves in the ETP. Businesses with the highest demands for heat are connected first, followed by businesses with somewhat lower energy needs. This unique concept is called heat cascading. It is also being examined whether businesses can make collective use of water, process water and Attero’s pre-existing water purification system. This will take infrastructure requirements out of businesses’ hands in a sustainable manner.

3. Who are involved in ETPs?

Naturally, multiple parties from the public and private sectors are involved in development and implementation of Energy Transition Parks. The development of this collaboration is tailored to each situation.

One good example is the approach at the Midden-Drenthe ETP. Organisations involved here, aside from the businesses themselves and Attero, are the Energy Valley Foundation, the Reest & Wieden District Water Board, the Province of Drenthe and the Municipality of Midden-Drenthe.

4. What is the advantage/interest in an ETP?

An ETP offers major benefits to the parties involved. Energy costs are constantly on the rise. At the same time, corporate social responsibility and its resulting commercial benefits are also increasing steadily in importance. By applying the cascade design to existing energy infrastructure such as steam/heat and other systems such as water and process water and promoting maximum reuse, companies not only take strides forwards in making their production operations greener and more sustainable, they also achieve cost benefits.

With its future-oriented and sustainable approach, developments at the ETP will attract new organisations. In addition to this, the park’s power of attraction will not be limited to businesses alone: knowledge institutes will certainly also take an interest. They will enjoy opportunities to develop knowledge, convert corporate demands into real products, etc. Additionally, the knowledge institutes will be in a position to bring students into close contact with businesses, bridging the gap between theory and practice.

5. How is an ETP sustainable?

Not only do the Midden-Drenthe Energy Transition Park and the organisations it accommodates use sustainable energy, they generate sustainable energy as well. In particular, large-scale green gas production is carried out on the premises. This means it is not only an ETP, but also a Green Gas Hub. Attero has been producing green gas from biogas for years. By putting this existing experience and infrastructure to use, local farmers can supply their biogas and have it upgraded to green gas. These large volumes of green gas, in addition to being used at the ETP, can also be fed into natural gas networks, such as Gasunie’s.

Objectives are currently being tackled with specific initiatives at ETPs in the areas of chain efficiency, industrial energy conservation, heat applications, sustainable CO2 emission reduction, sustainable energy production (green gas, biofuel production) and knowledge development and demonstration. This means that in this context, ETPs can contribute towards the 20-20-20 objectives for the Northern Netherlands region, the Netherlands, and Europe.

6. How many ETPs are there?

The Energy Valley region has several ETPs in the preparatory phases, including the Midden-Drenthe Energy Transition Park, the Eemsdelta Energy Transition Park, the Oostlaand Energy Transition Park in South-East Drenthe and the Energy Transition Area near Purmerend. Chances are also good that the heat cluster in Harlingen and the surrounding area will grow into an Energy Transition Park.

7. Is an ETP suitable for any industrial zone?

In general, any existing industrial park or business park can take steps towards becoming an Energy Transition Park. However, the process must be tailored to the particular situation. The Energy Valley Foundation’s experience and expertise is available for this.

8. What is Energy Valley’s role/vision regarding ETPs?

Energy Valley’s vision for developing ETPs is that they are a new kind of business and industrial park that is robust and future-proof. This movement is giving shape to the energy transition at the industrial level. The development of ETPs can make a sustainable contribution to our energy, environmental, climate and innovation goals (Kyoto, post-Kyoto, post-Copenhagen, Lisbon and Gothenburg). At an ETP, energy transition becomes reality.

Energy Valley’s role in the development of ETPs varies according to the situation. Energy Valley incites, inspires and facilitates companies in setting up ETPs.

9. What is the significance of ETPs for the Northern Netherlands?

Development and demonstration of ETPs started in the Northern Netherlands. Development and demonstration of more ETPs in the Northern Netherlands will ensure that the industrial stakeholders accommodated at these ETPs have a competitive advantage over their competition. This effect will gain momentum as sustainability becomes a key selling point in the near future. The partners in the northern ETPs will have to convert this lead into a sustainable lead!