In an ambitious step towards sustainable energy, the project’s fifth research track REVT#5: Technology and business integration, focuses on enhancing initiatives beyond REFORMERS, offering a future outlook towards Renewable Energy Valley (REV) adoption. This track leverages local expertise and partnerships to promote the deployment of innovative solutions within and beyond the Alkmaar Flagship Valley (FV) through innovative business models and governance structures.
Collaborative Efforts and Technological Integration
Duurzaam Heiloo, an energy cooperative, is spearheading the development of a collaborative model to facilitate renewable energy integration, drawing on successful demonstrations from REVT#2. This includes advanced battery systems and heat buffers which have showcased significant potential in energy management.
Supporting Duurzaam Heiloo, New Energy Coalition and Ondernemend Alkmaar are mobilising regional companies, fostering enthusiasm for renewable energy and exploring new partnerships. This collaborative effort aims to develop a Virtual Local Energy System (VLES), which promises enhanced coordination and management of energy resources, offering cost savings and improved efficiency.
Concerning social aspects, DBL, TNO and NEC provide an essential contribution to the integration of REFORMERS innovations in the business and social context. The team developed a targeted stakeholder engagement plan, foreseeing focus groups and interactive sessions with local communities and stakeholders, to delve deeper into user behaviour, preferences, and attitudes towards renewable energy. The goal is to assess the new developments in cooperation with the users, to come to widely supported solutions that fit the needs of the involved stakeholders. Thanks to a Socio-Economic impact assessment, the governance models for REVs will be refined and recommendations towards replicability and policy making derived.
Read more about previous research tracks REVT#1, REVT#2, REVT#3 and REVT#4
Future outlook
Looking beyond 2030, REVT#5 plans to expand its impact across Europe. Emphasising a forward-thinking approach, it integrates emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) to enhance stakeholder engagement. Duurzaam Heiloo and Community Boekelemeer aim to become benchmarks in community-driven renewable energy initiatives, sharing knowledge and fostering partnerships nationally and internationally. This proactive engagement and adoption of innovative technologies ensure that the Flagship Valley and other regions stay ahead in the renewable energy curve.