Digital twinning the local energy system of Emmen

The current energy system is reaching its limits due to the energy transition and economic development, with congestion on the electricity grid being an early symptom. As only 15% of energy in the Netherlands was renewable in 2022, significant changes are needed to prevent an ongoing standstill. Completing the energy transition will after all create a strong electrification of our society, and increased demand for renewable heat, hydrogen and green gas.

Emmen exemplifies the Dutch and European energy system on a small scale, with diverse energy demands (e.g. greenhouse horticulture, business parks, chemical industry, built environment, and mobility) and supplies, including wind, solar, geothermal, and upcoming hydrogen production all located in one city. Also, over 200 electric transport capacity requests are on a waiting list for years to come, hindering local economic and energy transition efforts.

The municipality of Emmen and the provincie of Drenthe are initiating a project which aims at designing and implementing smart solutions for the current and future energy system. The core of the project consists of building a unique digital twin of the local energy system which helps design new policy choices and create local energy hubs.