North Sea Port and Impuls Zeeland have long been working together within the Zeeland Grid Solutions Taskforce. This taskforce is a regional partnership in which grid operators, authorities and public organisations jointly look at solutions for scarce space on the electricity grid. The division of roles between North Sea Port and Impuls Zeeland is clear in this respect: As port manager, North Sea Port knows the companies in the area inside out and is responsible for an attractive business climate. From its connector role, the port authority connects the companies within its port area with Impuls Zeeland, which acts as an independent advisor. From various programmes, Impuls Zeeland supports companies with knowledge, guidance and access to experts and subsidy opportunities in electrification, grid connections and sustainable solutions.
By sharing information and informing each other in a timely manner, both parties avoid duplication of effort and strengthen each other's effectiveness towards companies, grid operators and policymakers.
Example project: Smart Energy Hub on the Axelse Vlakte
A concrete example of this collaboration is the initiative on the Axel Plain, near Terneuzen. In this area, several companies face grid congestion or risk exceeding their contracted power limit. North Sea Port and Impuls Zeeland, together with the municipality of Terneuzen, took the initiative to explore opportunities for a joint energy supply. The aim of the project is to investigate the feasibility of a so-called Smart Energy Hub, where companies can make smart use of joint generation, storage or grid capacity.
"By joining forces, companies can benefit from shared power generation, storage or smart distribution of capacity."Paul de NooijerProjectmanager Energy Transition at Impuls Zeeland
The firm Stantec has been selected to carry out this exploration. In the coming months, Stantec's team will carry out a technical and financial analysis. This will look at current and expected energy consumption, planning and legal preconditions, and the financial feasibility of various scenarios. The public parties involved, including the Province of Zeeland, are also investigating the possibilities for subsidies so that companies can participate in the initiative in a low-threshold manner. Municipality of Terneuzen is actively involved and supports the project together with Impuls Zeeland and North Sea Port. It is expected that the technical analysis can be completed in the autumn.
Looking ahead: exploration in Vlissingen-Oost
Similar challenges are also being looked at in other parts of the port area. In Vlissingen-Oost, for example, where companies are facing grid congestion and increasing power needs, initial explorations are currently being made. Here, the need for shore power facilities, among others, plays an important role. Although these processes are still at an early stage, North Sea Port and Impuls Zeeland are also pulling together here. By identifying the energy demand in time, companies and network operators can be better prepared for future developments.
"We are looking more and more integrally at power demand and infrastructure across entire port zones because only then can we make the right choices."Matthias MaddeleinBusiness developer Energy Transition at North Sea Port
Want to know more or get involved?
Are you a company or organisation located in the North Sea Port area and are you dealing with grid congestion, electrification questions or expansion plans? Then sign up via the Grid Congestion Reporting Point or contact North Sea Port or pauldenooijer@impulszeeland.nl. Together, we will look at the best solution at company level or in a collective context.