Dutch mission to seek US energy technology

  • October 21, 2024
  • Steve Rogerson

Energy grid operator Enexis has this week brought representatives from the Dutch energy system supply chain to Boston and Houston seeking companies that can bring innovative smart grid technologies to the Netherlands.

In collaboration with the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) and the Netherlands Innovation Network in Boston, the mission runs from October 21 to 25 as the Netherlands looks for ways to make energy grids smarter, more sustainable and more resilient, as part of the country’s efforts to accelerate the global energy transition.

The mission will bring together industry leaders and experts from the USA and the Netherlands to learn from each other, exchange best practices and explore advancements and opportunities for smart grid development, energy storage, hydrogen and infrastructure improvement between the American and Dutch energy ecosystems. Through panel discussions, presentations and guided tours of companies and universities, the mission will enable knowledge-sharing and illuminate how US-based firms can apply and develop their sustainable energy innovations in the Netherlands.

“The Netherlands is not just adapting to the future of energy, we are helping to shape it,” said Hilde van der Meer, commissioner for NFIA. “This mission to the USA presents a unique opportunity for Dutch and American energy innovators to share expertise, explore new business opportunities and identify innovative solutions to the challenges of modernising energy infrastructure.”

Rutger van der Leeuw, CEO of Enexis Groep (www.enexisgroep.com), added: “As a grid operator, we are making multi-billion investments to future-proof the energy system. We are strengthening our electricity grid with thousands of kilometres of cables and preparing our gas grid for renewable alternatives. Given these enormous challenges, we must explore how we can leverage innovation to better utilise the capacity of the existing grid and accelerate the construction of a future-proof energy system.”

Energy systems in the Netherlands and around the world are facing challenges amid the energy transition, the accelerated pace of electrification and rising market demand. In response, the Netherlands is inviting international companies to develop and scale smart grid technologies within the Dutch ecosystem (investinholland.com/news/how-the-netherlands-is-making-energy-grids-smarter).

Tapping into the country’s infrastructure and culture of innovation, businesses are well-positioned to devise energy storage and integrate renewable sources for the grid. The Netherlands is home to energy innovation centres and research facilities, such as Kema Labs and ElaadNL, where companies can test, demonstrate and certify smart grid technology. In addition, Dutch technical universities play a pivotal role in generating talent and start-ups, fuelling energy research and collaborating with companies in the sector. With the government, grid operators, companies and universities working together, the Netherlands acts as a launchpad for energy innovations.

NFIA (www.investinholland.com) offers free, confidential assistance to companies looking to establish or expand operations in the Netherlands and has North American offices in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Toronto.