The Municipality of Almere and the network company Alliander have signed a cooperation agreement to create a sustainable and future-proof energy system for new residential areas. They are jointly developing the Balanswijk concept, an innovative energy system that generates, exchanges, and stores energy locally. An important principle here is net-aware building: by balancing the generation and use of energy within the neighborhood, the burden on the electricity grid is minimized.

An Important Step Towards a Sustainable Future

“With this cooperation, we and Alliander are taking an important step towards a sustainable future, where innovative and local energy solutions contribute to a reliable and affordable energy supply for everyone. With the Balanswijk, we are investigating whether we can lay the foundation for an energy system that is not only sustainable and reliable but also scalable and affordable,” said Alderman Alexander Sprong. “By experimenting and learning from small-scale innovative projects now, we ensure that Almere Pampus will soon optimally benefit from a well-functioning and future-proof energy system.”

Alliander Plays a Key Role in Future Energy Networks

Alliander plays a key role in developing and implementing the energy networks of the future. “As Alliander, we work with other parties on innovative solutions for complex issues in the energy transition. Together, we are preparing the energy grid for the future,” says Maartje Brans, Director of Innovation at Alliander. “The collaboration with Almere offers a unique opportunity to implement net-aware building through the Balanswijk concept in practice, by balancing energy generation and consumption throughout the year, thereby minimizing the neighborhoods connection to the electricity grid. An important step towards a sustainable and future-proof energy system.”

Contributing to Energy Neutrality and Livability

Almere aims to be energy-neutral by 2050 and, where possible, even energy-producing. This collaboration not only contributes to providing sustainable energy from sources that are better for the environment but also focuses on broader livability and ensures that residential areas are less dependent on the energy grid. In addition to technical issues, behavioral components are also considered, such as changing energy consumption behavior, which can lead to reduced consumption. Furthermore, the Balanswijk concept helps to accommodate housing projects in the short term. In the long term, it contributes to using our energy system differently. With the Balanswijk in Almere, we are taking the first concrete steps towards this.

Next Steps

Now that the cooperation agreement has been signed, a work plan will be developed with concrete projects, learning questions, and goals. The knowledge and experiences gained will not only contribute to the energy transition in Almere and Pampus but will also serve as an example for other area developments in the Netherlands.