Electrification is a vital part of the energy transition and demand has skyrocketed over the past decade. But electricity generated by renewables such as wind or solar isn’t constant and fluctuates depending on the weather and the season. Add to that geopolitical instability, a volatile energy market and power grids specifically designed for highly centralized fossil power plants, and you’ve got a pretty challenging puzzle to solve.

New Energy Coalition

One of the organizations in the Northern Netherlands trying to solve this puzzle is the New Energy Coalition (NEC), a continuously growing network of knowledge institutions, businesses, government bodies and NGOs. ‘We focus on both national and international collaborations and projects with surrounding regions and countries that have an impact on the Dutch northern energy region’, says NEC Project Manager and Developer Koen Stamou. ‘Our research and innovation projects are centered around green molecules and systems integration and for the latter AI can be a great tool, especially optimization and predictive algorithms.’

‘One of the biggest challenges with renewable energy systems is that both supply and demand need to be really efficiently balanced’, Stamou continues. ‘The amount of electricity we can generate with wind and solar depends on the weather and the amount of electricity we need depends on where we are and what we’re doing. When I get home from work, charge my electric car and make dinner, there’s a peak in my usage at home, for example.’ 

[With] algorithms trained on highly detailed data, you can accurately predict when and where electricity is most needed.

NEC Project Manager and Developer Koen Stamou

‘So if you have algorithms trained on highly detailed weather forecasting data and usage data, you can accurately predict when and where electricity is most needed, and how you can distribute it in the most efficient way possible’, Stamou explains. ‘And energy companies can also use algorithms to predict when and how much energy they need to buy, which is also convenient in a market with volatile prices.’

REFORMERS

One of the larger projects the New Energy Coalition is involved in, is called Regional Ecosystems FOR Multiple Energy Resilient Systems (REFORMERS), located in Alkmaar. ‘It’s part of the Horizon Europe project’, Stamou explains. ‘It’s an innovation program to support large energy hubs in Europe, where renewable energy is produced and consumed locally by citizens, light industry and businesses. And that’s where we’re also applying AI algorithms to monitor, optimize and control energy flows.’

‘One thing that is particularly interesting here, is the use of a Digital Twin blueprint that is currently being developed and tested’, Stamou continues. ‘This digital twin is an exact, virtual replica that you can use to test things and train an algorithm, and it will help to continuously improve things like grid management, planning, data gathering and handling and cyber security. ’ 

We’re applying AI algorithms to monitor, optimize and control energy flows.

NEC Project Manager and Developer Koen Stamou

AI-Hub North-Netherlands

Another organization involved in the application of AI in multiple sectors is the AI-Hub North-Netherlands, which recently received new funding to help further develop a strong and cohesive regional innovation network, involving entrepreneurs, research and education institutions and governments. ‘Our focus is on human-centered, ethically responsible AI innovations to help economic growth in our region’, says Business Developer Jeroen Jansen.

'My work for the AI-Hub focuses on energy & logistics and helping entrepreneurs, SMEs in particular, with practical AI applications. Grid congestion is a big problem of course, so part of my job is helping companies find applications to reduce their energy needs,' Jansen explains.

‘One aspect that is often overlooked though, is the data itself’, Jansen continues. ‘An algorithm needs data to predict and optimize things, but is that data GDPR compliant and secure, for example? And who owns and uses your data? You can come up with all kinds of fantastic AI innovations, but it really starts with the data and the legal aspects of it. And that’s also why a lot of companies are a little hesitant to adopt AI. So helping entrepreneurs with guarantees that their data is theirs and theirs alone, is something I also personally think is very important.’

A robust and cohesive ecosystem is just as important if you want a transition to succeed.

Jeroen Jansen, Business Developer AI-Hub North Netherlands

‘And a robust and cohesive ecosystem is just as important if you want a transition to succeed’, Jansen continues. ‘Many entrepreneurs are more than willing to adopt new technologies, but they need to know where to go and who to talk to. And big European flagship projects are great to have in the region, but you also need tangible and practical projects that are relevant for local companies, and SMEs in particular. We’re currently setting up numerous AI projects and use cases, based on the needs of companies here in the region.’ 

Powerchainger

On the consumer side of the transition, TopDutch startup Powerchainger is also pioneering a new AI innovation. Many Dutch households have a smart meter, which gives you minute-by-minute insight into cumulative energy consumption. It's very useful, but it doesn't offer any insight into your individual appliances, like your fridge, TV or electric car. Powerchainger is developing software that can flatten total electricity consumption at a device level, also called load disaggregation. ‘This gives consumers real-time insight into the consumption of electrical devices’, says  Yang Soo Kloosterhof, founder and CEO. 

This has two major advantages, according to Kloosterhof: 'On the one hand, consumers can instantly see which household appliances use a lot of power and will be more inclined to use those appliances at times when power is cheaper. At the same time, this ensures a much more efficient power distribution on the energy network. The other advantage is that energy suppliers can predict the amount of power needed much better. This allows them to buy or generate power more efficiently, which means less waste and more favorable prices.’

Our current energy system is definitely not future-proof and we want to change that.

Yang Soo Kloosterhof, founder and CEO of Powerchainger

The start-up received its first round of funding Future Tech Ventures last year and is getting ready to launch their product later this year. ‘We’ve been running multiple pilot projects with our strategic partner Vattenfal and several energy suppliers this past year’, Kloosterhof continues. 'Our current energy system is definitely not future-proof and we want to change that with our software, because structural changes are necessary to make the energy transition possible. And smart algorithms will significantly contribute to that'.