For this call, NWO sought research that could offer solutions to challenges surrounding data use in the energy transition, such as privacy concerns and differences in data standards. In this round, four projects have been selected, which will receive a total of over eight million euros, including co-funding. The energy transition can proceed more effectively and efficiently with new knowledge about data sharing. This is because existing systems and tools require high-quality data to be effective and reliable.
This research programme aims to stimulate research into socio-technical data challenges. Collaboration with various partners is essential for this. The consortia for the selected projects therefore consist of researchers, local authorities, regional authorities, businesses and other organisations. Within these partnerships, the projects will focus, among other things, on facilitating data sharing for the heat transition and developing synthetic data that functions as real energy datasets.
About SHARE
Radboud University is the lead applicant for one of these projects: ‘Synthetic Harmonised Access to Renewable Energy data’ (SHARE), led by Yuliya Shapovalova. Co-applicants are Henk-Jan Kooij, Tom Heskes and Saskia Lavrijssen from Radboud University, and Harald Vranken and Mina Alishahi from the Open University. The project is co-funded by Zenmo, Alliander, VSL, Bronscode and the Municipality of Nijmegen. NPRES is a partner in the project.
The Netherlands needs to upgrade its electricity grid for solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles. Grid operators and municipalities need to share data to plan upgrades effectively, but privacy concerns and competition worries prevent this—causing inefficient planning and wasted investments. SHARE develops "synthetic data"—realistic but artificial datasets that work like real energy data without exposing private information. Think of it like using actors in a training video: realistic practice without privacy risks. Working with Alliander, Gemeente Nijmegen, and energy companies, SHARE creates tools for safe data sharing, enabling better grid planning and protecting privacy.