Regional ecosystems for multiple-energy resilient systems

In Alkmaar's "Renewable Energy Valley," a diverse mix of more than 300 businesses and 3,000 households is currently connected to a shared energy grid. This supply system not only enables the community to produce and use their own renewable energy, but also to store and share it, to mitigate potential energy imbalances and cover the energy demand. This is made possible by advanced and smart energy management, focused on the diversification and valorization of sustainable energy sources.

The REFORMERS’ project goal is to diversify renewable energy supplies and maximise efficiency. By ramping up green energy production through the combination of consolidated technological solutions with the most innovative energy management systems, the Energy Valley shall be able to cover more than 100% of its energy demand through local renewable energy production and reach 75% of self-consumption through demand side management by the end of the project. Finally, this should lead to lower energy costs for end customers, compared to current and forecasted market prices. 

The REFORMERS’ research team will develop, test, and exploit a toolbox and a digital twin to identify the best solutions and constantly improve towards self-sustaining Energy Valleys. The ambition is to completely replace fossil fuel use from residential customers by delivering heat produced from bio-waste and heat recovery. Together with green-hydrogen, wind, solar and bio-waste energy production, the project will help hit Alkmaar’s 100% renewable energy target by 2050. The developments within the Dutch Flagship Valley will be meticulously followed by six satellite valleys spread around Europe. These valleys will take advantage of the lessons learned and replicate successful strategies to create their own Renewable Energy Valley and contribute altogether to the #REPowerEU goals.

RISE will lead a workpackage on how to replicate the solutions developed and tested in the project to other cities and regions in Europe.