AI in the Utilities sector – 26th of November 2024
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a hot topic in today’s world. Everyone has probably heard of and already used ChatGPT or Microsoft CoPilot. However, AI is much more than that, but we are still not entirely sure how to use AI to create value for our business or we are hesitant to implement AI solutions.
If we are to achieve our net zero goals by 2050, every industry will need to make rapid and massive changes. The Utilities sector sits at the forefront of this transition and will be the catalyst for other industries, delivering services to enable and accelerate decarbonization. (Gen)AI can be implemented across the entire utilities value chain and has the potential to deliver substantial benefit by unlocking the productivity needed to facilitate the energy transition.
On the 26th of November Young Energy Professionals hosted an event on AI in the Utilities sector. Ognen Lukash from Accenture the Netherlands, expert on this topic, was present to share some valuable insights on the potential of (Gen)AI within the Utilities sector. And although the potential is huge, there are also risks we need to consider, especially regarding responsible AI. Managing these risks well, (Gen)AI can be valuable for every organization within the utilities sector, as proven by the several use cases that were shown during the presentation, from leak detection to Chat Bots to advisory solutions.
Besides providing interesting insights, our events are also a great opportunity to network with fellow professionals, so of course we ended the event with some drinks and bites.
TenneT Offshore Tour – 5 June 2024
We had the pleasure of organizing the The vision of the future North Sea Energy Infrastructure event for members of the Young Energy Professionals community. The event took place yesterday at TenneT TSO B.V.’s visitor center in Wijk aan Zee, where we had the opportunity to delve into some exciting developments and initiatives in the energy sector.
During the event, we had insightful presentations on several key topics:
– 700 MW Program: An in-depth look at the ongoing efforts and future plans for offshore wind energy production.
– North Sea Wind Power Hub: Discussions on the ambitious project aimed at creating a sustainable and interconnected energy network in the North Sea.
– Target Grid 2045: A visionary presentation on the future of the energy grid and the steps needed to achieve our long-term goals.
One of the highlights was witnessing the arrival of the cable-pulling ship, a critical step in connecting our offshore platforms to the mainland. This firsthand experience added a tangible aspect to our discussions and highlighted the complexity and scale of our projects.
We want to extend a special thanks to Robert Koens, Richard Koenders, Thomas Aksan, and Jelle van Uden for their enlightening presentations. Their expertise and insights were invaluable to our understanding of these initiatives.
The event was also a fantastic opportunity to network with many young professionals from various sectors within the energy industry. It was inspiring to see the passion and innovation driving our field and to showcase the pioneering work TenneT TSO B.V. is doing in the North Sea.
Panel discussion about the new Energy Law at EDSN – 10 April 2024
In a lively session hosted at the EDSN office in Amersfoort, young professionals from the energy sector came together to explore the complexities of the new Dutch Energy Act. With around 25 participants in attendance, the event served as a dynamic platform for in-depth discussions on the potential impact of the legislation and its implications for the future of energy in the Netherlands.
The panel featured three distinguished experts from leading organizations—Accenture, EDSN, and Enexis—who shared their valuable insights and perspectives on the Dutch Energy Act. Each speaker provided a unique viewpoint on how the legislation is expected to shape the energy landscape, as well as the strategies their respective companies are employing to navigate this significant transition.
The event offered ample opportunity for participants to ask questions and engage in discussions. It became evident that while the new act presents numerous opportunities to advance the energy transition, it also poses significant challenges for the 300+ parties within the energy value chain to implement effectively.
Following the panel discussion, attendees had the chance to continue their conversations and network over drinks and snacks.
Energy Transition Model by Quintel – 29 February 2024
We had the great pleasure of attending a workshop by Quintel on the Energy Transition Model, hosted by Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) | Partner in Sustainable Development in Zwolle and organized by Young Energy Professionals! It was a little melting pot of organizations working together ????. They showed us how various development scenarios of industries toward 2050 can impact our climate ambitions, targets, and energy security. This was achieved by dividing the group into different sectors and industries. Each group had to identify what would be important for them in 2050, and based on this, we developed our very own scenario! We learned not only about the challenges of identifying priorities for 2050 but also the necessity to work closely with other sectors and strike a balance to achieve a scenario that is feasible for everyone.
The ETM is used for various studies such as the II3050, a report that outlines different scenarios for the development of future energy infrastructure and calculates their impacts.
YEP Hydrogen Valley Tour – 29 September 2023
The tour focused on the future of hydrogen in the Netherlands and on the possible opportunities and challenges related to the system integration of this clean fuel. To gain a better understanding of the requirements for a system wide integration of hydrogen, we visited organizations that will be, and maybe already are somewhat, at the core of the production, transportation and consumption of hydrogen.
The tour started in the Eemshaven, where we received an introduction from Groningen Seaports. Here, is where the NorthH2 program is based, a project being funded by Shell, Equinor, RWE and Eneco. This is planned to be one of the largest production facility of hydrogen in Europe. One of the reasons the Eemshaven is chosen to be the location for this hydrogen project is that a large portion of the offshore wind will land at this location. It is therefore expected that Eemshaven will become an important hub for the future production of hydrogen, not only for the Netherlands but likely also for neighbouring countries.
After our exploration of all the existing energy infrastructure in the port, we travelled to Gasunie’s headquarters in Groningen. Here, we learned about the infrastructure needed to support the hydrogen grid in the Netherlands and about the 5 salt caverns that are currently under construction in Zuidwending. These salt caverns are being built to store methane. However, in the future they could be repurposed to store hydrogen. We even got a chance to stand inside a virtual salt cavern, this was a very cool experience!
Lastly, we visited Qbuzz. Qbuzz is making an active effort to electrify their bus fleet to meet climate targets. However, to explore alternatives, they also explored the feasibility of the implementation of hydrogen in their bus fleet. They currently have two hydrogen buses that are being used to transport passengers in Groningen! These busses are being powered by green certified hydrogen provided by Shell which is partially being subsidized by OV bureau.
On this trip we saw how complex the integration of hydrogen is into the current supply chain. The need for early commitments, dependency and large investments seems to be whats currently holding back the implementation of hydrogen. However, the existing Hydrogen Valley in Groningen shows that the implementation is feasible.
- YEP and Deloitte: A Pathway to a Hydrogen World – 24 May 2023
Together with Deloitte, we had a fantastic afternoon diving into the current situation and potential of Hydrogen in the Energy transition. It was truly enlightening!
To demonstrate the immense potential, our member Gasunie showcased their Hydrogen car, which is one of practical application of this clean energy source.
Moreover, it was a wonderful opportunity to connect and build relationships. We enjoyed getting to know each other better, exchanging ideas and insights. And of course, we ended the afternoon on a high note with some refreshing drinks. Let’s continue working together towards a greener future powered by Hydrogen!
- Hosted by YEP member: TenneT – 9 March 2023
TenneT hosted a great event on March 9th with Professor Peter Palensky from TU Delft giving us his Hidde Nijland talk on Digital Energy. The lecture covered various topics, such as intelligent electrical power grids, cyber security, AI, peer-to-peer energy exchange and more. Professor Palensky’s expertise and insights provided a captivating and educational experience for everyone who attended.
Attendees from both technical and non-technical backgrounds were able to broaden their horizons on the cutting-edge developments in digital energy. The presentation was engaging and thought-provoking, leaving us inspired and eager to learn more.
After the lecture, we had a chance to network with colleagues while enjoying some drinks. It was a great opportunity to share our thoughts on the lecture and make new connections. We look forward to hosting more events like this in the future.
- Re-Power YEP! Networking Borrel in Utrecht – 1 February 2023
Our networking event on was a success! We brought together more than 25 young energy professionals from various companies, including TenneT, New Energy Coalition, and Accenture, for a night of speed dating and networking. It was a fantastic opportunity for participants to expand their professional networks, learn about new industry developments and engage in meaningful conversations with peers.
We would like to thank everyone who attended and made the event such a memorable experience. We are looking forward to organizing more events like this in the future and creating more opportunities for young energy professionals to connect and grow.
