Utrecht

90% of Utrecht’s housing projects already face delays due to electricity grid congestion, which is only expected to become a greater challenge due to forecasts of: a 20% increase in population by 2040; a doubling of photovoltaic energy generation, 2022-2030; and an increase in use of electric vehicles from only 10,000 in 2024 to 120,000 in 2040. Addressing this over-arching challenge has three dimensions.

Governance challenge: effective models for collaboration among municipalities, developers, grid operators, and citizens are missing or not widely adopted. This can lead to e.g. split incentives where project developers are required to invest in energy assets that primarily benefit others.

Technical challenge: Utrecht's grid congestion stems from energy peaks and the imbalance between supply and demand of (renewable) energy. Grid upgrades are impractical due to lengthy approval processes, lack of personnel and high costs.

A Collective Energy Transport Contract between district parties and the grid operator aims to reduce peak energy loads by 35%. Managed by a public-private-civic energy community, it fosters shared responsibility and stronger collaboration to meet energy targets.

Merwede’s integrated energy system combines district heating (geo- and aqua-thermal), PV, V2G charging with EVs, and thermal and battery storage. A Collective Energy Management System optimises energy flows, reduces peaks, boosts renewables and cuts grid costs.

An incentive programme is co-created with citizens and businesses to boost engagement in the Collective Energy Community. It explores community building, gamification, dynamic pricing, and education to encourage participation, energy savings and peak shifting.