Regulering (nettoegang) energieopslag op de Noordzee

DOSTA Talks: Exploring Offshore Energy Solutions in the Dutch North Sea

The DOSTA team is excited to share the highlights of our first public event, DOSTA Talks! On June 15, 2023, we welcomed 16 attendees at the Energy Academy Europe, while an additional 18 participants joined us online. This event provided valuable multidisciplinary insights into offshore system integration.

The session began with a warm welcome from project leader, Prof. em .Martha Roggenkamp, who introduced the audience to the objectives of our research. Robbert Nienhuis took the stage to present his work on the development of the Ocean Battery and its potential to revolutionize offshore energy storage.

Jan Wiegner then shared fascinating insights into energy system modeling and how it can effectively harness the vast offshore wind energy reserves. Shifting focus to governance implications, Juul Kusters shed light on the future offshore energy system’s governance challenges. Lastly, Liv Malin Andreasson discussed the legal barriers surrounding offshore system integration, along with potential solutions.

The interactive session was followed by a question and answer round and networking drinks. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the speakers and participants for their valuable contributions to making the event informative and interactive.

For any questions or comments, please reach out to us via the contact form.

Secondment – Siemens Energy

From March to September 2022, Jan Wiegner has undertaken a secondment at Siemens Energy in Mülheim (Germany). During his stay, he studied novel ways of hydrogen use in existing gas-fired power plants to reduce their carbon footprint. Using hydrogen in existing natural-gas fired power plants is considered an essential building block for the decarbonization of electricity generation. Such retrofitted power plants can facilitate the large-scale integration of fluctuating renewable electricity generation.

The group established a detailed model of an exemplary gas-fired power plant that was used to economically and environmentally evaluate hydrogen applications in these plants. Therefore, they first developed a model of an exemplary CHP plant in a detailed non-linear process model based on the principles of thermodynamics and fluid-dynamics. This process model provides enough load points to fit a surrogate, mixed-integer-linear model that can optimize the plant operation economically within a reasonable computation time. Then they validated the surrogate model and use it to study (1) economic hydrogen combustion in a combined cycle plant, and (2) evaluate the economic benefit of retrofitting the plant with a duct burner or an oxy-fuel hydrogen burner. The outcome of his research will be published early Summer 2023.

Secondment – TenneT

In December 2022, PhD researcher Liv Malin Andreasson completed her 6-week secondment at TenneT, which is the Dutch transmission system operator tasked with providing electricity transmission and system services. TenneT is also the designated system operator of the offshore transmission grid and is responsible for connecting offshore wind farms by developing the necessary onshore grid connections. At present, offshore wind turbines and interconnectors operate as stand-alone assets. However, given the intention to develop a meshed electricity grid offshore, alternative cable connections must be considered and their regulation defined. The secondment at TenneT was therefore organized to support research on the legal framework (or lack thereof) pertaining to alternative cable connections offshore.

During her secondment, Liv Malin investigated from a legal perspective how to use the offshore grid connection system more efficiently by developing multi-purpose interconnectors in the North Sea. Multi-purpose interconnectors combine transmission of electricity generated by (and direct connection to) offshore wind farms with cross-border interconnections between onshore electricity grids in several countries. In addition, the development of a legal framework for consumer connection to the offshore grid (storage and power-to-gas facilities) was assessed. During the secondment, Liv Malin therefore expanded her knowledge of the integration of the North Sea energy system and identified necessary changes and adaptations in EU and national legislation to facilitate such integration. The guidance and support of TenneT is very beneficial as it provides the necessary input to better understand the role of the transmission system operator in the development of the offshore electricity grid. Liv Malin is looking forward to utilizing the knowledge and experience gained in her PhD research.

Secondment – TNO

Juul Kusters has planned her secondment at TNO in the summer of 2023.

Secondment – OceanGrazer

Robbert Nienhuis is completing his secondment at OceanGrazer.