Accelerating the expansion of the Dutch energy grid with Systems Engineering : FUESSE 2024 Project Results

The energy transition in the Netherlands aims to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Over the next 10 years, network operators will be tasked with increasing the capacity of the electricity grid by a factor of roughly 5. The main challenges in this regard are as follows:
1. Land acquisition: Finding and acquiring suitable land for infrastructure expansion is challenging due to limited space and competing interests.
2. Permitting procedures: Obtaining the necessary environmental permits is complex and time-consuming.
3. Staff shortages: There is a significant shortage of qualified personnel to cope with the increased workload.
The FuESSE project (Future Energy System Systems Engineering) is a joint study by Dutch network operators and TNO. The project focused primarily on the third challenge: mitigating the staff shortage. The project investigated how Systems Engineering (SE) can increase productivity in electrical energy infrastructure construction, particularly for high and medium voltage substations. The research themes were:
• Modular construction,
• SE competencies (in particular of lead engineers),
• Construction processes of grid operators,
• External construction flows,
• Systems Engineering in the energy transition.
This presentation summarizes the findings of this study, as described in the related report. Network operators have already made significant progress in recent years with modular construction and external construction flows. However, given the scale and urgency of the energy transition, further acceleration and productivity improvements are still necessary. This requires breaking down silos within organizations and adopting a modular and more integrated approach across the chain in collaboration with contractors. Points of attention for the use of Systems Engineering in this regard are as follows:
1. Modular construction and digital support: Support Modular Construction even more with digital tools to ease the workload on network operators.
2. Standardization and digitization: Focus on further standardization and digitization of data and data exchange for better efficiency and reduction of errors in projects.
3. Early validation and quality management: Focus on early validation and robust quality management in order to improve the efficiency and quality of projects.
4. Coordination in the chain: Focus on improving cooperation and coordination in the chain in order to maximize the benefits of an integrated approach.
5. SE craftsmanship and productivity: Invest in retaining and training lead engineers to increase productivity and transfer knowledge to new staff.
6. Scale up asset management: Standardize and digitize the management and maintenance of the rapidly expanding infrastructure to be prepared for the future.
FuESSE emphasizes the need for an integrated approach and the importance of Systems Engineering in accelerating the energy transition. Systems Engineering can also help to take a closer look at the way we work: ‘Why do we do what we do?’