Public Transport Sector Helps Tackle Full Power Grid
Public transport in the Netherlands is largely electric. As a result, public transport is heavily dependent on the already overcrowded power grid, which can hinder the growth ambitions of public transport. At the same time, public transport can also help alleviate congestion on the power grid with its own electricity network. This is also evident from two external studies commissioned by the government.
Minister Hermans (Climate and Green Growth): “We are doing everything we can to address the problems with the full power grid. Not only from the government and the grid operators but also together with parties that use a lot of electricity. Large consumers can help spread the peaks on the power grid. This is in their own interest as well as that of all the people and companies waiting for a connection. I think it is important and I am glad that public transport is also thinking along and cooperating in solving bottlenecks.”
State Secretary Chris Jansen (Public Transport and Environment): “Smart solutions will take the Netherlands further. The public transport sector in the Netherlands is smart and innovative. It is fantastic that the sector can contribute to tackling the full power grid while still being able to grow. Because to operate more trains, trams, and electric buses, the public power grid must be able to handle it.”
New Measures
Concrete agreements have been made with the parties in the public transport sector. For example, ProRail, in collaboration with the Municipality of Utrecht and grid operator Stedin, will place a biodiesel generator next to the tracks in Utrecht to solve an existing bottleneck on the power grid. This solution has the potential to be applied in more places.
Another good example is the Rotterdam transport company RET, which has been supplying electricity to the municipality of Rotterdam and nature organization Zuid-Hollands Landschap since the beginning of this year when they do not use it for trams and metros. This is particularly outside of peak hours and at night. The municipality of Rotterdam wants to provide two new charging squares for cars, vans, and construction traffic with electricity from RET. Since this can be done within existing contracts, no new or heavier connections are needed, which often take a long time to arrange. The involved parties have agreed to explore whether and how they can implement such solutions in more places.
Regional bus companies are being assisted in closing contracts with the grid operators, allowing them to charge electric buses only at night when the power grid is quiet. In urban public transport, all these options are being utilized, and unused capacity from their own power grid is also being used to charge other vehicles.
The parties have agreed to scale up and expand solutions as much as possible. Transporters will ensure that smart energy consumption becomes part of regular operations. The government is investing in developing and disseminating the necessary new knowledge and the connection between all parties. Finally, the ministries of KGG and IenW are investigating which barriers in legislation and regulation are hindering solutions and will amend the legislation and regulations where necessary and possible.
Sector Agreements
The cabinet previously concluded an agreement with the water boards to tackle the full power grid and is in discussions with more sectors to make agreements. The advantage of agreements with an entire sector is that solutions can be implemented simultaneously in multiple locations in the Netherlands.
The agreement has been signed by the ministries of Infrastructure and Water Management and Climate and Green Growth, DOVA, EBS, Municipality of Arnhem and Utrecht, GVB, HTM, Keolis, Metropolitan Region Rotterdam The Hague, Network Operator Netherlands, NS, ProRail, Province of Utrecht, Qbuzz, RET, and Transport Region Amsterdam.