HTM Energy transition

The Hague may be missing opportunities to make the Energy Transition cheaper and faster. The large roofs and facades of HTM’s buildings and existing infrastructure are underutilised for generation and distribution, respectively. That could be done differently and would achieve many gains for the energy transition.

One such possibility is using the overhead lines for energy distribution and reselling this energy to third parties through charging stations. Marieke Buisman has been researching the non-technical aspects of this possibility, such as stakeholders, policy and laws and regulations. Now that her research is complete, she is happy to share her findings with us.

For her research, Marieke talked to the municipality of The Hague, the province of South Holland, the GVB, the Rotterdam–The Hague Metropolitan Area, the ACM, Stedin, the Archipel & Willemspark residents' association, Haagse Stroom and NRG Accounting. From these conversations, Marieke was able to get a good idea of the legislation and regulations and where the obstacles are in the current policy.

Her research shows that legislation is the biggest obstacle, as you can’t simply set up an electricity grid. There are two options here for HTM: apply for a closed distribution system or create a direct line between the solar farm and the tram system. The second option will also require a legislative amendment. This is because the current electricity grid and the new energy law do not yet allow the sale of energy to third parties.