Network congestion is a wake-up call for everyone in the energy sector and the spatial domain, explains Martijn Gerritsen. This phenomenon was also an important reason for launching the new master's course in Strategic Energy Planning and Governance. Since 2022, the overload of the electricity grid has already caused many problems in areas such as housing, industry and mobility. 'If you, as a municipality or company, contact the grid operator too late, you end up at the bottom of the waiting list,' says Gerritsen. 'It used to be very different. There was no scarcity. Spatial planners only worked with grid operators in the final phase of planning, and that was not a problem.'
Grid congestion is a wake-up call: 'Planners and network operators need each other'
Partly due to grid congestion (overloading of the electricity grid) and sustainability, planners and network operators are increasingly dependent on each other when it comes to energy and space. This urgent topic is explored in depth in a new master's course, which was taught for the first time last autumn. Students gain insight into the practical side of things and, at the same time, provide new perspectives. Martijn Gerritsen (researcher and lecturer in Geography, Urban Spatial Planning & Environment), Laszlo van der Wal (area design consultant at Liander) and student Marjolein Alberts discuss the content of the course. 'Hopefully, this is an investment in the future.'
A different way of working
‘Network congestion is therefore a symptom that shows that the working method needs to change,’ says Gerritsen. In his opinion, the interaction between energy infrastructure and spatial planning deserves full attention. 'Network operators need input from the municipality at an earlier stage in order to plan network investments. In addition, planners benefit from more information from network operators, for example for phasing housing construction and making better long-term choices.' Laszlo van der Wal adds: 'In fact, network operators are becoming co-designers of spatial plans. For their part, planners need to take a greater interest in energy. Energy is just like drinking water. It is a prerequisite for living.'
Energy demand remains high
This 'spatialisation' of the energy system requires a different way of working, which is the main focus of the course. Students learn the basics of the energy system and how it relates to spatial developments. They also learn from guest lecturers who work in this new field at the national government, local authorities and network operators. Marjolein Alberts is enthusiastic about the course. 'I have gained a better understanding of how companies play a role and what the power relations are. There is a lot to be done in the field of urban planning and energy. Demand for energy will remain high in the coming years due to sustainability, which requires a lot of energy, and population growth. Network congestion cannot be solved overnight.' Van der Wal also does not believe that it will disappear quickly. He thinks that a much more conscious approach to energy is necessary and will continue to be so. 'Spatial planners always take into account the limitations and opportunities of a location in terms of water and accessibility. They now have to do the same with regard to the energy system.'
'Network operators are used to working in a demand-driven way, but that is not appropriate in this day and age.' Industry only wants to become sustainable once the infrastructure is in place, while the infrastructure is only set up once industry has clear plans to become sustainable. 'We need to break this chicken-and-egg story.'
Ethical issue
The students worked in groups on various practical examples provided by organisations such as Liander, Duurzaam Energie Perspectief (DEP), the province of Flevoland and the Arnhem-Nijmegen and North-Central Limburg energy regions. Alberts' project involved a safe haven for industry in Amsterdam. The idea is that sustainable companies in this future location will be guaranteed sufficient power. ‘We discovered that this is also an ethical issue: which companies will receive power and which will not?’ says Alberts. ‘It could be a recycling company, but also a data centre. What is truly sustainable? Moreover, it could lead to inequality, for example if knowledge is lacking. International companies often do not understand what grid congestion is.’ The idea behind the safe haven is that you don't want to lose companies, so you first make a pre-investment in the infrastructure. Only then do you look at who can establish themselves there. Van der Wal: 'Network operators are used to working in a demand-driven way, but that is not appropriate in this day and age.' Industry only wants to become sustainable once the infrastructure is in place, while the infrastructure is only set up once industry has clear plans to become sustainable. 'We need to break this chicken-and-egg story.'
Internship
Alberts has completed the course and will soon be doing an internship at the municipality of Nijmegen. She is fascinated by the subject and will therefore be working on energy hubs. 'I think we are moving towards a decentralised system. No longer a single central energy grid, but multiple hubs, some of which will be self-sufficient.' Van der Wal: 'The energy system will differ from place to place. In some places it will become more decentralised, and in others more centrally organised. That creates opportunities for different types of jobs.'
New professionals
Van der Wal finds the course very valuable for the professional field. He notices that the students engage with very different issues. ‘They bring a different perspective. I was also amazed at how quickly they understand the context.’ Gerritsen hopes that the course will produce new professionals who have the knowledge to think about the intersection between space and energy. ‘Regardless of whether they end up working for local authorities, developers or network operators.’
Text: Willem Claassen
Contact information
More information? Please contact Martijn Gerritsen. Would you like to collaborate with researchers at Radboud University? Please contact externerelaties.fm [at] ru.nl (externerelaties[dot]fm[at]ru[dot]nl).
- Contact
- Dr M. Gerritsen (Martijn)
- Organizational unit
- Nijmegen School of Management, Geography, Spatial Planning and Environment Department
