Read the user story by Tom van Arman in the Amsterdam Smart City Smart Stories💡📖 Magazine. His experiences with the City-zen Virtual Power Plant 🔋 https://smartstories.nl/18.html
Living off the grid: <https://smartstories.nl/18.html>
The municipality of Haarlemmermeer is actively working on the realisation of the energy transition in the municipality by, among other things, focusing on sustainable heat supplies. As part of this, a heat initiative has been started in the village of Rijsenhout (east of Haarlemmermeer). This initiative has not been taken up by the market in the past. This has led the municipality to want to take a more active role in the development of District heating in which resident participation is a crucial factor.
During the Knowledge- and Demodag on 13th of March (2025), Kelly Winters and Sophie Keijzer (Hieroo) led a session with the participants that looked at similar successful processes in the past of realising a heat network. The central questions were: What was the success and why was it a success?
Session structure and focus
During the session, the participants split into two groups. Similar processes were then discussed in the two groups in which the success factors of the realisation of energy transition projects were examined. An important example that was discussed in the session was the Schoonschip project in Amsterdam North. This project is a sustainable initiative in which residents have researched how they can live on the water in a circular and sustainable way. This resulted in a community of 46 houseboats that share energy with each other via a Smart Grid that’s cheaper and more efficient.
Outcomes and insights
During the session, various strategies were discussed to strengthen resident participation and make heat network initiatives successful. The most important points from the discussions are:
1. Composition of the initiator group: A diverse and enthusiastic group is crucial. In the Schoonschip project, the core of the success was a group of pioneers who complemented each other in creativity and expertise. Such a group can also be formed in Rijsenhout if they are properly guided and supported.
2. The role of the municipality: The municipality must be aware of the distrust that residents often have towards government institutions. Using an external intermediary or an independent entity can help to reduce this mistrust.
3. Reward and inspire: One way to involve residents in a low-interest topic such as energy is to reward them. Examples are setting up competitions, the use of ambassadors or energy coaches and the organisation of events. Linking opportunities, for example by combining energy transition with social goals such as combating energy poverty, can also play an important role.
4. Using the right moment: An important lesson from the Schoonschip project is to use external circumstances to arouse interest. A crisis, such as rising energy costs or limited energy production, can turn a low interest topic into a high interest topic for people.
5. Governance and structure: A solid Governance structure is essential. The municipality can play a role as a project manager by setting clear deadlines and formulating requirements. This helps both initiators and residents to keep focus and take steps towards concrete results.
Follow up
Do you have a tip to help the municipality of Haarlemmermeer with their district heating plans? Or do you have a question about this project? Contact Ouassim at Ouassim@amsterdaminchange.com or Noor at Noor@amsterdaminchange.com. Later this week on 27th of march, we'll dive into the technical problems that district heating poses, when there just isn't enough space in the underground to build it. If you would like to know more about this, let us know.
🌿 Vier de lente met ons tijdens de Cenex Nederland Lenteborrel 2025! 🌸
[English below]
Op 8 mei 2025 organiseren we weer een nieuwe editie van de Cenex Lenteborrel! Dit jaar is de editie open voor iedereen, het wordt een inspirerende middag vol innovatie, samenwerking en netwerkmogelijkheden.
📍 Locatie: A-lab, Overhoeksplein 2, 1031 KS Amsterdam
🕒 Tijd: 13:30 - 18:30
✨ Wat kun je verwachten?
🔹 13:30 - 15:30 – Inloop & exposanten
Ontmoet onze exposanten en ontdek de nieuwste innovaties op het gebied van mobiliteit en circulariteit.
🔹 13:30 - 15:00 – Twee serious games
Doe mee aan een interactieve sessie en verken de uitdagingen en kansen in de sector op een speelse manier. Liever toeschouwer? Dat kan ook! (Kies één sessie)
🔹 15:30 - 16:45 – Vijf inspirerende keynotes (Engels)
We verwelkomen sprekers van onder andere:
⚡ Coding the Curbs
⚡ Kempower
⚡ Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat
⚡ Circular Campus
⚡ Cenex Nederland
🔹 16:45 - 18:30 – Gezellige Lenteborrel
Sluit de dag af met een hapje en een drankje, terwijl je nieuwe connecties legt met andere professionals.
Houd onze Eventbrite-pagina en LinkedIn in de gaten voor updates over sprekers en exposanten!
📢 Bevestig je aanwezigheid en mis het niet! (Beperkt aantal tickets beschikbaar)
Registreer hier: https://cenex-lenteborrel-2025.eventbrite.nl
-------English
🌿 Join us for the Cenex Spring Reception 2025! 🌸
On May 8, 2025, we’re hosting the latest edition of the Cenex Lenteborrel (Spring Drinks)—and this year, it’s open to all! Expect an inspiring and engaging afternoon filled with innovation, collaboration, and networking.
📍 Location: A-lab, Overhoeksplein 2, 1031 KS Amsterdam
🕒 Time: 13:30 - 18:30
✨ What’s in store?
🔹 13:30 - 15:30 – Walk-in & exhibitor showcase
Meet our exhibitors and explore the latest advancements in mobility and circularity.
🔹 13:30 - 15:00 – Two serious games
Join an interactive session tackling industry challenges in a fun, engaging way. Prefer to observe? That’s possible too! (Choose one session.)
🔹 15:30 - 16:45 – Five inspiring keynotes (English)
Industry leaders will share their insights, including:
⚡ Coding the Curbs
⚡ Kempower
⚡ Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management
⚡ Circular Campus Delft
⚡ Cenex Netherlands
🔹 16:45 - 18:30 – Spring Networking Reception
Wrap up the day with drinks, bites, and great conversations with fellow professionals.
Stay tuned via our Eventbrite page and LinkedIn for speaker and exhibitor updates!
📢 Confirm your attendance and don’t miss out! (Limited tickets available)
Register here: https://cenex-lenteborrel-2025.eventbrite.nl
Met het LIFE project in Amsterdam Zuidoost zijn we bezig met een eindconferentie te organiseren op 4 maart middag (13u-17.30) bij de Johan Cruijff Arena en je bent uiteraard van harte welkom (net als je collega's)!
Hieronder de aanmeld pagina met de programma:
[https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/tickets-eindconferentie-life-project-1206732572609](https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/tickets-eindconferentie-life-project-1206732572609 "https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/tickets-eindconferentie-life-project-1206732572609")
Het conferentie gaat over de bijdrage van het LIFE project om innovaties te realiseren om netcongestie te beheren op gebiedsniveau, <strong>in samenwerking met Alliander, Johan Cruijff Arena, Gemeente Amsterdam, TU Delft, Spectral, AMS Institute en andere tech en kennis partners</strong>. Er komen ook inspirerende keynote sprekers om de context te laten zien waarin het project opereert:
Samen kijken we naar hoe de onderzoek en tools van LIFE wordt toegepast in Amsterdam Zuidoost om netcongestie op een inclusief en collectief manier te kunnen beheren.
Tot 4 maart bij de Arena!
Project Team LIFE
