Smart solutions and innovation
The energy transition has a direct impact on society. Innovation helps close the gap between what we are already able to do today and what still needs to be done: developing the energy system of the future and and getting new solutions from the idea stage to actual implementation faster. We do this in an innovation “ecosystem”, in which we work closely together with other parties.
Innovation on
various fronts
Through innovation, we address issues for which there is no solution as yet, or issues where normal solutions do not have sufficient impact. We do that together with key partners, such as network operators, market parties, internal Alliander departments and directly with customers and end users.. We organise our innovation around the most promising themes at any given time. Currently, our innovation is focused on the following themes:
The energy transition demands a major scale-up of the work we do, in a time of considerable shortages of technical staff. With this in mind, we are developing solutions that will make our operations faster, smarter and safer, while always putting feasibility of the work first.
This is where we work on the energy system for beyond 2030, which needs to be socially equitable, resilient and considerate of the limits of people and planet. This theme is focused on system innovations for the long term. We are exploring:
- the limits and coherence of the energy system
- new market and system concepts
- the role of social equity, circularity and material use
- how society and the energy system can develop in unison
We are working on an energy system that allows companies to operate sustainably and stay competitive. We are developing solutions that foster smart use of grid capacity and energy. The focus is on:
- reducing demand for energy and transport
- better insight into supply and demand, together with the market
- dynamic and efficient distribution of the available grid capacity
- collective and decentralised organisation of energy
As the number of solar panels, heat pumps and electric vehicles continues to grow, the low-voltage grid is becoming increasingly congested. We are working on solutions that prevent grid overload and limit impact on residents.
How we work
on innovation
While each innovation theme has its own focus, they are closely interconnected. Rather than a sum of separate projects, innovation at Alliander is a coherent “ecosystem” (network) where we share knowledge with each other and drive solutions forward. Much of our innovation happens in collaboration with Alliander departments, because our employees have the deepest understanding of our challenges.
However, many of the issues we are seeking to address are simply to vast and too complex for us to solve on our own, or they transcend our remit or our infrastructure. This is why we also do much of our innovation in partnership with the market, governments, knowledge institutions and other energy system operators and energy companies.
We experiment, learn and scale up. When an innovation works at pilot stage, we scale it up for broader application.
Partnering with start-ups and scale-ups:
Alliander Next Grid
For the overhaul of our energy system, we are going to need new capabilities. Promising solutions increasingly come from parties outside Alliander, such as start-ups and scale-ups. To maintain momentum and drive strategic collaboration, we actively invest in such partnerships. Together with Alliander Next Grid, we jointly develop products and services in the domains of infrastructure, telecommunications and digital solutions.
Robotics makes work
smarter, safer and easier to execute
The energy transition is adding to the volume and complexity of our work on the energy system. At the same time, technical staff is scarce and safety always has to come first. This has prompted Alliander to explore how robotics can help make the work smarter and safer, as well as ease the workload. By having humans and technology work together, we are supporting our skilled professionals and accelerating execution.
We use robotics only where it truly adds value, i.e. for construction, maintenance and safety, and always with a practical focus and with the aim of better supporting our people, rather than replacing them.
More information
Want to find out more about innovation at Alliander? Email our Innovation Director Maartje Brans at maartje.brans@alliander.com.