Edition 5 | 2012 Retailprice â‚Ź 5,50
Back to the future with Ton Schoot Uiterkamp
NRG Battle 2011: The Winner is...
Team Grontmij/Alliander
Alliander - KEMA - Real World Systems - Rational Middle Talents in the Spotlight - Financing Sustainability - NRG Battle
World Edition
Ku ala Lumpur -2012
‘Combing’ for energy People of today use an unbelievable amount of natural raw materials. Our complex economic systems are completely dependent on them. What would we do without iron ore, copper or bauxite, without stone, coal, oil or gas? We would be catapulted straight back to a time when people had to survive by primitive means, just like the animals surrounding them. However, natural raw materials have one significant disadvantage: they are finite. We can be dismissive about this (for there is still enough), but that argument is too simple. It’s great that there are still plenty of essential raw materials available but, nevertheless, we need to look critically at how they are used. Processing raw materials and producing energy from fossil fuels often has undesirable consequences for our environment in the form of waste and emissions. We must take this issue seriously and take measures now to limit these harmful effects. Fortunately many such measures are being carried out, and successfully! Over the last few years a lot of progress has been made in making the production chain more sustainable by pragmatic means. Approximately 80% of the waste in the Netherlands is used in a practical manner or recycled. However, we must remain realistic. Whoever claims that we, cradle to cradle, can achieve a waste-free and emission-free society in the short term, is under an illusion. We will continue to be dependent on natural raw materials for a long time to come. We do not need to worry about this, as long as we don’t lose sight of our ultimate goal: sustainable production created by the use of renewable raw materials. That is nothing new in itself. Sustainable practices are yesterday’s news. If you don’t believe that, you just need to have a look at one of the Wadden Islands. Not simply to enjoy nature, the dunes and the picturesque villages, but also the wide beaches. Then you will see that the tide brings in more than just water. Every year, an impressive amount of stuff is washed ashore. These things are not thrown away but collected; beachcombers scour the beaches in search of usable waste or items that ended up in the water by accident. They pick up what they find and sell it on. Beachcombers have been doing this for centuries. It’s a nice metaphor for making the energy supply more sustainable, a scenario we are pursuing by using or – natural gas’s trump card – facilitating energy sources that can be used again. In order to be able to realise the ultimate goal, we must develop new technology and deploy existing technology in smarter ways. That’s why my company, GasTerra, started a project a few years ago on one of the Wadden Islands, Ameland, which aims to gain more insight into cleverer
.
and more sustainable forms of energy generation and use. Handling energy wisely forms the essence of this project. Or, from the beachcombers’ point of view: let’s throw away as little as possible
Gertjan Lankhorst, CEO GasTerra
Curious about the connection between beachcombing and making energy use more sustainable? Go to www.iampartofthesolution.nl and listen to Gerbrand Bruin’s story.
Foreword
Magazine Circulation
Publisher
7.500
TTA Publishers
Circulation distribution
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Editor in chief Jan Schulte
Editors Maike Veltman Inge de Groot Twan Wolters
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Design
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NRG Magazine is published 4 times a year. Tel: +31 50 317 14 70
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Contact Also interested in a subscription to the NRG Magazine or do you want your company to stand in the next edition? Do you have interesting topics and ideas for future publications? Feel free to contact: redactie@nrgmagazine.nl or call Maike Veltman +31 (0)50 317 14 75 Thank you! The NRG Magazine Team
Innovative change Who will bring it? Some call it the new industrial revolution. Cradle to cradle, a brand new look at the way we make things. Founders Michael Braungart and William McDonough turned the world upside down with their book about this new philosophy in 2002. Cradle to cradle design brings energy from waste to the next level (p. 10). But is this technological fix enough to sustain the world? We need new ideas, that’s a fact. New innovative thoughts. Change. Ton Schoot Uiterkamp, honorary professor hopes that young talents will bring this change (p. 24). They have the task to create a totally new design while ‘maintaining the integrity to the only planet we have’. That’s why we host the International NRG Battle. Talented students team up in multidisciplinary teams to meet, compete and innovate. Meet a few of these fantastic talents from the rounds of last year (p. 28), and, of course the winners from last year (p. 38). This year for the first time, we present the NRG Battle – World Edition. During the World Gas Conference in June, hundred talented students will fly to Kuala Lumpur to innovate for four days on a sustainable future. An amazing journey and life changing experience. How great would it be if one of these students comes up with a brilliant idea for the future of energy?
Editors note
Index Alliander Energy use will become a lifestyle choice
8. Peter Molengraaf is Chief Executive Officer of network company Alliander. His previous roles include Director of Customer Services at Nuon and Commercial Director of Shell Netherlands Sales Company.
Coverstory CRADLE TO CRADLE: THE NEW INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION A different look on product design
10. KEMA “Power to Gas” Connecting past and future
15.
Realworld Systems “We have integrated two completely different worlds with each other.�
19.
18.
Financing Sustainability A column by Holland Financial Centre
Rational Middle
20.
Intelligent networks, make them as smart as possible! Or not? Back to Talents in the Spotlight the future with Ton Schoot Uiterkamp
24. 38.
NRG Battle 2011: The winner is... Team Grontmij/Alliander
28. 42.
Global Top Talents Attracting and educating for the energy sector is a collective responsibility
Alliander
Energy use will become a lifestyle choice Peter Molengraaf is Chief Executive Officer of network company Alliander. His previous roles include Director of Customer Services at Nuon and Commercial Director of Shell Netherlands Sales Company.
Peter Molengraaf Chief Executive Officer of network company Alliander
“In the coming ten years we’ll witness
the physical system – energy will still be
such as urban environments. In new
the
energy
delivered to your home through a plug
housing developments we will stop
selection and use. The energy sector
point – your choice of energy will
connecting natural gas. Today, 96
will be transformed in more or less the
become part of your lifestyle. Some
percent of households are connected
same way as the banking sector.
people will make this apparent by
to both natural gas and electricity, but
Investing in the stock market went
using their energy source as a type of
this will diminish until we only supply
from being an activity you had to do
social identifier.”
electricity. And within the home micro
individualization
of
through a bricks-and-mortar institu-
sensor technology will replace central heating thermostats, enabling us to
can choose how and where you
The electric trend will become the electric norm
invest-online, through a broker, or via
“Creating
lowering costs and energy use.”
your mobile device. People will be able
become more standard, as it’s more
to choose the type of energy they buy,
environmentally efficient and enables
where they buy it from, or whether
any side effects, such as CO2 capture
they want to produce it themselves.
and air cleaning, to be dealt with in
Sustainability will influence urban and rural development
one area. And as we centralize fossil
“Energy will become an increasingly
This will radically alter the energy
fuel use, society will become more and
important factor in urban and rural
industry, resulting in the creation of
more electric. The efficient way to
development. As we move towards a
new
and
bring fossil fuels to cars is through the
more sustainable energy environment,
delivery models. People will be able to
electric grid. In the transport sector we
the
produce their own solar power, or
will see entire segments rapidly move
provision and energy use will take on
participate in energy cooperatives that
from fossil fuel engines to electric
ever-greater significance.
generate electricity from wind farms.
engines, especially in those areas that
This will lead to a re-categorization of
And although very little will change in
want to reduce noise and air pollution,
land development, and urban and
tion, to today’s situation where you
companies,
8 | NRG Magazine edition 5
technologies
electricity
centrally
will
heat individual areas of our homes,
connection
between
energy
p
Facilitating local energy production
rural planners will have to re-think the location
and
development
of
businesses and offices. On a micro level, the design of houses will alter. In a few years it will be unthinkable not to build houses that face south, to capture the sun, or to locate windows away from the prevailing wind, to reduce heat loss. This closer connection with nature will also influence business decisions, with companies locating data
centres
or
energy-intensive
production facilities in areas that have reliable access to sustainable energy
.
sources. In the coming 10 years we will all become more concerned with redesigning our society to follow this cradle-to-cradle cycle.�
p
Charging a car from the power grid at home
This interview is published in The Next Ten app book of Accenture NRG Magazine edition 5 | 9
Coverstory Cradle to Cradle
Melle Koot Designer
Photographer: Jitske Hagens
Coverstory Cradle to Cradle
CRADLE TO CRADLE: THE NEW INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION A different look on product design
“I was drawn into it by a documentary of the Dutch program Tegenlicht,” says Melle Koot, a designer from Groningen. In 2006 the documentary ‘Waste = Food’ aired on national TV. It was a new approach to sustainability. It was the philosophy of Michael Braungart and William McDonough. Cradle to cradle.
Ten years ago, in 2002, Michael
way that at the end of its lifecycle the
table that comprises several birch
Braungart and William Mcdonough
component materials become a new
plywood units, which are joint together
published their book ‘Cradle-to-cradle:
recourse.
using steel connectors. This shows the
Remaking the way we make things’. It seemed the answer of the future. Melle Koot: “It’s a state of mind, a way of life, not just the way a product is made.”
“It’s a state of mind, a way of life, not just the way a product is made”
“Man is the only creature that produces
cradle to cradle principle of the segregated bio and techno sphere. Once
the
table
has
outlived
its
functionality as a table, it can easily be turned into another furniture piece. When
Melle
Koot
watched
the
Make a new
documentary he realized he had to
“Natural resources are being depleted
Melle Koot explains: “There are three
change the way he designed. “There
on a rapid scale while production and
basic principles. Firstly, the sun is used
are so many benefits by working with
consumption are rising in nations like
as the energy source. Second, there are
good, healthy materials. By using
China and India. The waste production
no toxic resources used. And third the
sustainable resources to provide for
worldwide is enormous and if we don’t
biosphere and the techno sphere are
the current generation, you don’t limit
do anything we will soon have turned
separated.” To illustrate this Melle
the possibilities for the next generation.
all our resources into one big messy
Koot adverts to his ‘Make-a-new’
Cradle to cradle goes one step further
landfill. But there is hope.” Cradle to
design collection. This design method
and does not only to provides our
cradle is the new way to produce and
has an almost limitless freedom of
needs right now, but wants to broadens
build with one conception: waste is
possibilities: one can play with (raw)
the possibilities for the future. Instead
food. Energy from waste. The main
materials and ideas from a durable
of being less bad, try to work good.”
idea: design every product in such a
point of view. For example the design
landfills”,
the
documentary
tells.
NRG Magazine edition 5 | 11
Coverstory Cradle to Cradle
p
The ‘Make-a-new’ design collection
The green coffee machine
to cradle principles, in particular, the
Pezy, a company in product innovation
recycling of materials. More than 50%
also designs according to the Cradle to
of the components is from plastic waste
Cradle way. Maarten Rijken, Director
streams.
project management at Pezy met Melle
disassembled
Koot during a Cradle to Cradle training
transformed back into raw materials
for designers. “At Pezy it began with
for the Viva Café Eco. Maarten Rijken:
the realization what an enormous
“We worked with Van Gansewinkel,
impact we have as designer company.”
one of the biggest names in the Dutch
Last year they co-designed with Philips
waste
the new Senseo coffee maker: Viva
focus of Van Gansewinkel Group is to
Café Eco. “When we developed such a
get energy from waste, to get a
product, the awareness grew. Philips
maximum of energy efficiency. This
will produce a million or more of these
idea is becoming incredibly popular in
coffee makers. With some bad luck all
the world. Waste can be the product
of them will end up eventually at the
for
dump. “As a designer you can cause
electricity. If waste would become food
quite much, or have that same amount
for the biosphere or the techno sphere,
of influence.”
produc¬tion and consumption could
Old
Philips and
processing
fuel,
like
the
devices
are
parts
are
companies.”
steam,
warmth
The
or
become beneficial for the planet. Can The ‘Viva Café Eco’ is not entirely cradle
this be the new industrial revolution?
to cradle, though in the newest
Melle Koot: “Cradle to cradle is about
generation Pezy applied some cradle
renewing the way we used to make
12 | NRG Magazine edition 5
things or do. It’s more than just the product. It’s a way of life. I don’t just sell a chair or a table, but a life enhancing product. Cradle to cradle is a positive approach to problems such as scarcity and toxicity of materials. By reconsidering the existing conventions
.
and to come up with smart and innovative alternatives, we can enjoy the
growth
and
profitability
in
combination with the positive impact on the environment.”
Melle Koot
Just a hype? Cradle to cradle gives the promise that we can solve the issues with energy sustainability by consuming even more. It’s okay because waste is food, so there is no need to reduce our waste. This is the main criticism about the cradle to cradle philosophy. Bas Amelung, lecturer at the department of environmental systems analysis of the Wageningen University co-wrote the essay ‘Cradle to cradle: from hype to hype’ about the way cradle to cradle ‘deceives’. “There are problems in the world we can’t solve just with technical improvements. We have to work hard to do something about these things. By going after cradle to cradle, betting on it and by designing and developing new products from this marketing principle, the real problems in the world, such as climate change, loss of biodiversity and poverty, are not solved. If we really want to change the world, we will have to change our selves and not just the products we use.” A technological fix might not be enough to sustain the world.
Melle Koot is a Dutch designer. His studio is multidisciplinary and focused on interiors, furniture and object design. His work breathes sustainable design. In 2009 he participated in the first training for designers to work according to the cradle to cradle methodology. Melle Koot is part of Cradle Kring Noord, a partnership between cradle to cradle companies in the northern part of the Netherlands. In 2010
he
was
chosen
as
‘Most
sustainable entrepreneur of Groningen’. He received an encouragement prize of 20.000 euro from the municipality of Groningen.
Maarten Rijken Maarten Rijken works as Director project management at Pezy. He is one of the nine cradle to cradle design consultants at Pezy. Pezy creates new and improved concepts of products, develops products and supports the start of a production. With a good design and by choosing the right materials, a product remains of eternal value. Pezy sees this as an essential part of integrated product development. Pezy is also part of Cradle Kring Noord.
p
The Philips Viva Café Eco NRG Magazine edition 5 | 13
Energy Valley Energy Valley
a region brimming with energy
Energy Valley
a region brimming with energy
a region brimming with energy
Energy Valley is a pioneering cluster of conventional and sustainable energy activities in the Northern Energy Valleywith is a more pioneering cluster Netherlands than 400 of conventional and sustainable Energy Valley 350 is a pioneering cluster companies, projects and energy activities the Northern of conventional and sustainable approximately 23inbillion euros of Netherlands with than 400 energy activities in more the Northern new investments. Netherlands with thanand 400 companies, 350 more projects companies, 35023 projects and approximately billion euros of It is characterized by the involvement of a large coalition of public and private parties. approximately 23 billion euros of new investments. Started by regional governments, companies and knowledge institutes, Energy Valley is known new investments. for its large concentration of corporate and institutionalized energy knowledge. Closely working together It isgenerate characterized by the involvement ofsolutions, a large coalition of public private parties. tois innovative sustainable Energy Valley isprivate aand frontrunner It characterized by theand involvement of a large coalition of public and parties. in energy efficiency, Started by regional governments, companies and knowledge institutes, Energy Valley is known sustainable mobility, bio-energycompanies and cleanand electricity. Started by regional governments, knowledge institutes, Energy Valley is known for its large concentration of corporate and institutionalized energy knowledge. Closely working together for its large concentration of corporate and institutionalized energy knowledge. Closely working together to generate innovative and solutions, isa aconcentration frontrunner inofefficiency, energy efficiency, to generate innovative and sustainable solutions, ValleyValley is with a frontrunner in energy Energy Valley is situated onsustainable top of the DutchEnergy gas Energy reserves, the national gas industry. sustainable mobility, bio-energy and clean electricity. sustainable bio-energy andEuropean clean electricity. It’s locatedmobility, in the middle of the gas transportation grid and this region is responsible for one third of the Dutch central power production, with state of the art technologies. Energy Valley onon toptop of the Dutch gas reserves, with awith concentration of the national gas industry. Energy Valleyisissituated situated of the Dutch gas reserves, a concentration of the national gas industry. located ininthe middle of of thethe European gas gas transportation grid and this region is responsible for one third It’s located the middle European transportation grid and this region is responsible for one third The operational activities are bundled in the Energy Valley foundation which goal is to stimulate innovations of the Dutch central power production, withwith statestate of the art technologies. of the Dutch central power production, of the art technologies. of sustainable energy, employability and economic development of the Energy Valley region. The Energy Valley foundation acts as networking organization to stimulate information exchange and cooperation between public The operational activities are bundled in the Energy Valley foundation which goal is to stimulate innovations The operational activities are bundled in the Energy Valley foundation which goal is to stimulate innovations and private partners. of sustainable energy, employability and economic development of the Energy Valley region. The Energy Valley of sustainable energy, employability and economic development of the Energy Valley region. The Energy Valley foundation acts as networking organization to stimulate information exchange and cooperation between public foundation acts as networking organization to stimulate and between public A sustainable energy economy can only take shape through information collaboration,exchange now and in thecooperation future. and private partners. and private partners. Information A sustainable Powered by:energy economy can only take shape through collaboration, now and in the future. A sustainable energy economy can only take shape through collaboration, now and in the future. Information Powered by: Information Powered by:
14 | NRG Magazine edition 5
Information The Energy Valley Foundation Information Laan Corpus den Hoorn 300 The Energy Valley Foundation P.O. Box 11073 Laan Corpus den Hoorn 300 Information 9700 CB Groningen P.O. Box 11073 The Valley Foundation The Energy Netherlands 9700 CB Groningen Laan Corpus den Hoorn 300 The Netherlands P.O. Box 11073 9700 CB Groningen The Netherlands Contact Contact T (+31) (0)50 789 00 10 T (+31) E(0)50 789 00 10 info@energyvalley.nl E info@energyvalley.nl W www.energyvalley.nl W www.energyvalley.nl Contact T (+31) (0)50 789 00 10 E info@energyvalley.nl W www.energyvalley.nl
KEMA About 50 years ago, a start was made to build the gas system as we know it today. Together with the gas of the Slochteren and other gas fields, it provided and still provides us with a clean, affordable and flexible fuel. The latter – flexibility – is key to the transition to a sustainable energy system. Why? Because the matching between supply and demand of energy will become more challenging in the future, as intermittent sustainable energy sources such as wind and solar are increasingly implemented on a large scale.
Jörg Gigler Team manager Sustainable & Smart Energy at KEMA
Supply & demand Energy is always a balance between supply and demand: when the wind blows at full speed, there may be more energy available than needed. In these cases, wind turbines could be curtailed but this would be a waste of energy. Today, gas-fired power plants already provide a great deal of the flexibility that is needed to match supply and demand. But with a large penetration of wind and solar energy, this may become more difficult – if not impossible.
Balancing Flexibility can be realized by storing excess power in, for example, batteries, compressed air storages and reverse hydropower. But since the gas grid is already there, this may as well be used for storage. How? For instance by converting surpluses of power into a gas such as hydrogen or methane which can be accommodated in the gas infrastructure, allowing for long term storage on a large scale! This highly innovative process of using power for electrolysis of water
“Power to Gas”
Connecting past and future
into carbon dioxide and hydrogen which can be fed into the gas grid, is called ‘Power to Gas’ or P2G. The produced gas can be converted into power, heat or a chemical feedstock.
Catalyzing the energy transition KEMA is a frontrunner in P2G. Not only do we, for instance, investigate the feasibility of the P2G option, look at the processes to convert power into gas, calculate and measure how
much
of
the
hydrogen
or
methane
can
be
accommodated in the gas infra-structure, but we also assess what the effect could be on the pipeline itself. By providing technical and business consulting services, we help our clients with their necessary innovation to make this possible.
.
By doing so, we help the gas industry to make use of the existing gas system to enable the transition to a sustainable energy future
Visit www.kema.com for much more ground breaking innovations.
NRG Magazine edition 5 | 15
With Realworld Systems
Make the most of your network The energy sector faces major challenges. The arrival of electric cars affects energy consumption. The increasingly decentralised generation of electricity creates distribution problems. This requires a major rethinking of the approach to energy distribution. Realworld Systems helps energy companies evolve their distribution networks using smart consultants and smart tools - we cover all aspects of geographic network planning, network registration and network management. Changing electricity distribution networks is a delicate operation. It starts with planning and calculation exercises using a geographic information system (GIS). Next comes the crucial step of correctly passing the modifications to the
Smart appliances But that’s not the end of it. Our years of experience in the energy world have taught us many things. One of which is that field engineers working on site have no time to operate complex computer systems. That’s why we develop practical applications for smartphones and tablets, which give the field engineers a lightning fast way to transfer changes and findings straight into the GIS so the back office can process the information immediately. This saves time and energy!
supervisory system. The consultants of Realworld Systems are working with both your engineers and the suppliers of SCADA / DMS systems to create a failsafe, automated process. Today planning changes to the network and realising them is almost a push button operation.
Geo-IT made real
Would you like to know more? Curious to see how Realworld Systems solutions can help you make the most of your network? Feel free to contact Ilco Slikker on + 31 345 614 406
Realworld Systems: seamless integration of GIS into your business We at Realworld Systems believe that geographic information helps you bring your business to a higher level. That’s why our 100+ consultants are specialised in IT, GIS and your business. We are able to quickly integrate geographic information into your processes. This way we create practical and affordable solutions. In fact, we do this not only for energy companies, but also for other complex organizations such as water and gas companies or telecommunications companies, all around the world.
Worldclass job for energetic ICT and GIS Consultants We operate at the highest level on a worldwide scale, this forces us to keep evolving. That is why Realworld Systems are always looking for ICT professionals and GIS consultants at university or college level who want to get the most out of combining geography and IT. Need more information? Call Frits de Graaff on + 31 345 614 406
www.realworld-systems.com
?
Realworld Systems “We have the vision and knowhow for the future of Smart Grids.” Kees Kremer is IT-architect at Realworld Systems. He worked at the new connection between the GIS and SCADA systems for Enexis. This innovation enables Enexis to make the next step into automation of the medium-voltage net for their customers. Previously, all information in the network control centre was mainly on paper charts, but the new system offers new digital opportunities. Partners have to register just once and the system will handle everything else. This is far more efficient than it used to be. Kees Kremer Software Architect at Realworld Systems
Relevant information “The integration of GIS and SCADA performs incredibly well”, Kees Kremer explains. “GIS functions as the source system and delivers information that can be used by the management. Data
“We have integrated two completely different worlds with each other.” The new GIS SCADA Network – Realworld Systems
is registered in GIS and synchronized to the SCADA system. This information contains schematic data, geographic data, the structure of installations and cables and the electric properties of the net components. The management will be able to make the right decisions with this information.” The desire was to give the users of the SCADA system, usually the operating management, enough relevant information to make the optimal switching actions in the net. The new system can handle large volumes of data and can keep this up to date.
Benefits The importance of this project is to make the net transparent. For example to give information about mutations in the net like demolition of a neighborhood or rather the building of a new one. “This way we know how much power is used and where. We can operate loading points and take these elements into account. The ultimate goal is to minimize disturbances and know the limitations”, Kremer states. Wil de Jong, enterprise architect at Enexis illustrates the importance of the integration. “The complexity of the networks but also the demand for capacity increases. This system makes it possible to further automate the business. This provides us automatically with all the necessary information and offers many advantages, especially in the long term.”
From scratch Connections like the GIS-SCADA are rare. Realworld Systems is leading in this area with their work for Enexis. “We have integrated two completely different worlds with each other. GIS
.
and SCADA were different components within the company. One of the challenges was that nobody had any idea what the information exactly had to be. We registered everything in the new system from scratch.” With this innovation Realworld Systems raised the bar for new Smart Grids in the future
Visit www.realworld-systems.com for more innovative projects. 18 | NRG Magazine edition 5
Financing Sustainability
Financing Sustainability A column by Holland Financial Centre
Resource efficiency and financing Cradle to cradle implies a complete turnaround of existing production processes. In the short run more efficient use of resources may help to come closer to the ultimate goal of cradle to cradle. Bankers could assist you with becoming more efficient because scarcity is one of the biggest drivers of economic value. Given the forecasted growth of the world’s population combined with an even faster growing group of people copying the western style of living, a lot of people foresee a scarcity of natural resources. Being efficient in the use of these resources therefore creates value, means business and avoids a much higher price later on. An example may help. Suppose you’re a bank and can choose between two potential clients, both in need of financing a project. The only difference being that one is using twice as much of a specific natural resource as the other. In risk terms this means that the first party’s exposure to that resource’s price volatility is twice as much. Being a banker means looking for ways to eliminating financial risks: you will choose for the most efficient natural resource user. One of the working groups of Holland Financial Centre is looking at the possibility of integrating resource
efficiency
targets
.
into
terms
and
conditions of loans. This would mean that use of resources would be explicitly made visible and with that recognizable as a financial risk. Being more resource efficient would pay off
Gerard van Baar - Holland Financial Centre Managing Director Centre for Finance & Sustainability
The Holland Financial Centre foundation is a joint public/private venture launched by a number of parties in the financial industry and the government, who have joined together to form a broad-based interest group. The objective of HFC is to develop initiatives aimed at preserving a strong, open, internationally competitive financial industry in the Netherlands, and to retain existing jobs in the industry and create new ones. One of the focal points of HFC is Finance & Sustainability. The Centre for Finance & Sustainability commissioned the book Financing Sustainability which can be downloaded at the website of Holland Financial Centre: www.hollandfinancialcentre.com The Centre also initiated the webportal www.FSinsight.org , which has been officially launched by Minister Verhagen at 1 February 2012.
NRG Magazine edition 5 | 19
Rational Everyone has an opinion based on facts and senses. We seek
comes to intelligent networks. Should we make them smar
opinions and make up your mind. There is always a rational m
Intelligent networks, as possible! Or not?
YES In future energy systems, renewable energy will only be intermittently available. Demand and supply must be continuously matched, and the user will have to be flexible. He’ll have to get used to think about what he wants instead of how a device consumes energy in order to achieve that. For example, an electric car parked in the evening usually doesn’t have to be fully charged until the next morning. In the end, it is important that devices do their work according to the wishes of the user, but with minimal hassle. A user doesn’t want to continuously check the current electricity price to charge his car. Just as he’d like the temperature of a room to be automatically controlled by a thermostat: as long as it yields the correct temperature. In order to break through with renewable energy to the big public, the technology has to be available to cope with fluctuations in the energy supply. And it should be as simple as possible for the consumer, while preserving privacy. We need good software to regulate this. Preferably with a simple button for the costumer, and for
Han La Poutré
the enthusiast advanced features like on current PC’s. The PC had got its big advance only after its operation got
.
simple. This is the same with energy: we want a comfortable system, besides our energy awareness. Now you can simply put in the power plug. In the future this will be less easy, but we rather hope for software that will manage it the way we want it
Prof. dr. ir. Han La Poutré, Clusterhoofd Software Engineering bij het CWI (Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Amsterdam) en Hoogleraar Informatica bij de Universiteit Utrecht 20 | NRG Magazine edition 5
Middle for experts that stand on opposite sites when it
rt or should we make them simple. Read their
middle…
make them as smart
NO Consumers and other end users appreciate ease of use very much. Therefore, its importance can’t be underestimated sufficiently. For acceptance of intelligence in energy networks by end users ease of use is crucial. Some believe that the degree of ease of use is equal to the degree of complexity, or as you like, intelligence of the network concerned. Nothing could be further from the truth. Ease of use is above all an experience and within that experience a large degree of autonomy plays a decisive role. The classic example of this is formed by the fierce reactions of users to ‘the smart meter’. Up to now the need for privacy proved to be the ’killer app’. The end user wants to retain the control over his or her use of energy. Ease of use is lovely, (full) dependence of an intelligent network is not. Another argument for the as least intelligent as possible network is the fact that the potential for interference increases as the network becomes more complex. A well designed network is as simple as possible. Components, including software, that won’t be used, simply can not break. Also, an as limited as possible intelligence contributes to the transparency of a network. Therefore, the network is easier to adapt, simpler to link and much more versatile.
.
Because of this, one can respond effectively and efficiently
Roel Croes
to potentially strong fluctuating supply and demand in a network.
A
situation
which
will
become
common
increasingly, due to the increase of the distributed generation. In short, simplicity is the sign of truth
Mr. Roel Croes, co-founder GreenICT Foundation / initiator IIP Sustainable ICT Foundation – Platform for sustainable ICT
NRG Magazine edition 5 | 21
Creating sustainable solutions for our future energy needs
The world energy consumption is expected to grow by 40% by 2030. To keep pace with these expectations, we need to anticipate on the demand and plan the infrastructure accordingly. At Grontmij, we have decades of experience in renewable energy solutions, sustainable urban planning, design and building and can provide assistance at every step of the way. Wuhan New Energy Centre: most sustainable office building in the world.
Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen
Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen Groningen: the ideal region for research and education in the field of Energy By September 2012, Hanze UAS will deliver the consortium master program European Master in Renewable Energy. By becoming a member of the EUREC consortium, Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen is able to make its own contribution to meet the demand of the rapidly expanding European renewable energy industry. Furthermore, Hanze UAS is a major partner in the Energy Academy Europe.
European Master in Renewable Energy
The aim of the EAE is to create a
The aim of the European Master in
the
Renewable Energy is to train post-
issues and the transition towards a
graduate students to fill the gap
fully sustainable energy economy.
prominent international position for Netherlands
in
energy-related
between the growing industry demand for
specialized
expertise
and
energy
The Energy Academy Europe brings
currently
together a diversity of disciplinary
renewable the
skills
“My job as a RE technical adviser has given me the chance to work on challenging projects like zero CO2 factories, positive energy buildings and solar district heating networks.�
In its
expertise and approaches, from the
three semester structure, students are
humanities, social sciences and natural
guaranteed to spend time in at least
sciences.
two different EU countries and become
degrees will be offered across different
Bertrand Guillo
familiar with a wide range of European
levels, from professional to higher
Alumnus EUREC Master
universities and companies involved in
education. Top researchers pursue a
the renewable energy sector.
variety
There are numerous research activities
fundamental and applied research
in
can
questions. Students are also involved in
participate, such as RenQi, Flexines,
research projects, often working in
Are you interested in receiving more
CARI-E and EDGaR.
teams that bring together students
information about the European Master
from different degree programs.
in Renewable Energy? Please contact:
The Energy Academy Europe
This European Master in Renewable
Jarry Scheepens-Hasek, (liaison officer):
The European Master in Renewable
Energy will start at the beginning of
mastereurec@org.hanze.nl
Energy is one of the many activities
September
For information about EUREC,
within the Energy Academy Europe.
ditation)
available on the job market.
which
master
students
Furthermore, training and
of
topics,
.
2012
addressing
(pending
accre-
please visit: www.hanzegroningen.eu www.master.eurec.be
Back to the future
with
Ton Schoot Uiterkamp Ever wondered what moments in life changed the view of those who we look up to? Ton Schoot Uiterkamp looks back at moments in his live that changed his views and visions, moments in his childhood, study and start of his professional career. He goes back to the future‌ 24 | NRG Magazine edition 5
F
ifty years ago I started studying chemistry in Groningen. The conversion to natural gas in the Netherlands had just begun. The government didn’t know how quickly to use up the gas. They wanted
Bio.
to connect every household to it. On the other hand, they had no
idea how to deal with this, because we had nuclear energy. That was the future. It was a time when technology was everything. Everything was possible. In ’59 hardly anybody thought that nuclear power had a down side and that natural gas could run out. Maybe it was the way I was raised. Or high school, where I was told not to be passive in life. When I think back, I was an exception in thinking about the social consequences of technology. I met a girl. Marianne. She consistently challenged the way I thought. I fell in love. She was a sociologist, marrying a chemist. After graduation we left for Egypt for two years. I got a job at UNESCO as an alternative for being drafted into military service. Cairo was a completely different world. There was a shortage of everything. We endured two wars. The October War in Cairo and the war in Cyprus while we were there on holiday. In Cairo poverty posed challenges. There were enormous health problems. When you’re dealing with shortage of money or time, you get clever. We cooked on butane gas. Every so often I had to go to the dock and stand in a pushy crowd for a gas cylinder. I hated this so much. We were so thrifty with gas just so I could postpone going to the dock. That’s being efficient with energy. When you have to.
Ton Schoot Uiterkamp (1944) holds a PhD in biophysical chemistry from
Such a short period in your life can throw it radically around. Two years in
the University of Groningen. After
Cairo has influenced me irreversible. I cannot get accustomed to unbridled
two years in Cairo, Egypt, he has held
wealth. When we lived in Cairo, the Netherlands experienced its first energy
research
and
managerial
crisis. The car-free Sunday’s came. People started thinking about running out
at
Yale
and
Harvard
of cheap energy. Finally.
He
was
head
of
positions
Universities.
department
at
the Environmental Division of the After Cairo, I moved to the USA and then back to the Netherlands. A lot has
Netherlands Organization for Applied
changed. Now we talk in Parliament about head scarves, while we need to be
Scientific Research (TNO). From 1991 he
talking about what your and my grandchildren will use to keep themselves
has been a Professor of Environmental
warm. We didn’t do anything substantial about this for the last fifty years.
Sciences at the University of Groningen.
Back then, we didn’t know how to use up all the energy and now, we don’t
Currently he is honorary professor of
know what to do when it is. Why is it that such important issues so rarely enter the political agenda? Why do very few people think so far ahead? Virtually everyone seems to live in the here and now. Everyone wachtes The Voice of Holland on TV but ignores the energy demand of 2050. And if there were only a number of people that were heard or whose opinions were even
environmental sciences.
Tip for Talent.
seriously discussed, maybe it’d be fine. But nothing could be further from the
Create a totally new design keeping in
truth.
mind maintaining the integrity of the only
.
I am genuinely concerned, but not so much that I don’t believe things can change. It’s because of the events I’ve experienced myself. They show me things can change. That is, if people really want them to change
planet we have. Give the world processes and systems that are genuinely selfsustaining. NRG Magazine edition 5 | 25
GET READY NRG Battle
2012!
26 | NRG Magazine edition 5
PROGRAMME
9 MARCH
09:00 - 09:30
Arrival of the guests
09:45 - 10:15
Opening
10:30 - 13:00
Start NRG Battle - working on the cases
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch
14:00 - 14:15
Introducing the jury
14:15 - 16:30
Continuation NRG Battle - working on the cases
16:30 - 17:00
Break - prepare for pitches
17:00 - 18:00
Dinner
18:00 - 20:00
Students do a pitch for jury and public
20:00 - 22:00
Drinks, networking & announcement of the finalists
W W W. N R G B AT T L E . N L Peter Rehwinkel Mayor Groningen
NRG Magazine edition 5 | 27
27
Talents in the Spotlight
Only once in a blue moon we meet Top Talents. They are not only achievers in their studies but they also have a unique personality and bring added value to your company. In every Battle we choose four Top talents with uncommon combinations of talents. Take the Strategic Talent, both efficient and creative, a very unique blend in one person, so rare and worth meeting. You cannot see this in a resume or appearance, that’s why we use the Big Five personality test. We think these four are real Top Talents! Read their stories on the next pages. For more information about the way we test Talent, contact Geertje Dam, redactie@nrgmagazine.nl.
28 | NRG Magazine edition 5
Talents in the Spotlight
Talents in the Spotlight
Rik Mom Master student Chemistry
Strategic Talent
Rik Mom is a master student Chemistry and was part of the futuristic Astro Economics team during the NRG Battle. He is a strategic, both efficient and creative. He has the capacity to think innovative, but also to make the right estimations about risks and feasibility of new ideas.
Contributing to society through chemistry Team Astro Economics made a great impression with their
presented the idea as being very realistic and financially
concept for sustainable space traveling at the NRG Battle last
feasible. That assignment came close to my strengths, as I
year. “It has been a tremendously valuable experience. We
truly enjoyed making the calculations and discussing the risks
had a great team, with three technical students, including
of all our innovative input.”
myself and some communication students. We not only
“After we pitched our idea during the first round, the jury was still skeptic”
complemented each other, but also learned a great deal from each other’. Rik’s personality came to the surface during the team process. “The NRG Battle asks you to solve a problem in a limited amount of time. You have to make compromises to make it a
Rik’s parents, chemists as well, are raised with the awareness
feasible concept. For example we used an existing example
of certain ideals. He isn’t sure whether he will end up or not
aeroplane as a fundament for our design, instead of
in the corporate world or might focus on a career in scientific
designing a new one. After we pitched our idea during the
research. “Both are possible for me. As long as my work is
first round, the jury was still skeptic.
close to my ideals. I want to mean something for society even
.
if it means just making a small sustainable improvement. But They mentioned that our idea for sustainable space traveling
of course my dream is to truly change the world as we know
was close to science fiction. We had to make sure we
it.”
30 | NRG Magazine edition 5
Talents in the Spotlight
Rosa Morales González Master student Sustainable Technology
Talent
Inspiring Talent
Rosa Morales González is truly inspiring being both team oriented and creative. She enlivens the discussion with innovative thoughts, but also knows how to mediate between different opinions. Rosa is a Master student Sustainable Technology in Eindhoven, one of the many studies that she followed. This Senorita moved to the Netherlands to invest in herself, but her home keeps pulling her back. Her dream is to make a difference in home country Mexico.
Creating Smart Grid Platforms in Mexico Rosa entered the finals of the NRG Battle with team E.ON. It
Rosa dreams of using her knowledge in her home country
was a great opportunity to improve her talents. “I was
Mexico. “You know that Mexico has twice as much of
chosen to act as the pitch speaker. It was a big challenge for
sunlight, compared to Germany? But they aren’t making any
me to sum up every broad idea without missing any key
use of it.”
aspects. I am a very good listener and look at myself as an innovator. It was a great experience and I can benefit from it for the rest of my career. I learned how to convince others of my ideas in a short amount of time. The art is to wrap up all the different views and to create something great.”
“I am a very good listener and look at myself as an innovator”
Two years ago she got into The Shell Centenary Scholarship
“I feel that the country, sadly enough, isn’t making use of its
Fund. The aim of the scholarship is to give students from
potential. I want to start my career here in Europe and
developing countries the opportunity to gain skills that will
expand my knowledge about sustainability, in particular
make a long-term contribution to the further development
about smart grids. When the time comes, I would love to
of their country. “It’s a great chance for me and from the first
help Mexico in creating smart grid platforms. It will be quite
day at the University of Eindhoven I knew this is what I’ve
a challenge, but I’m ready for it.”
always wanted.”
.
NRG Magazine edition 5 | 31
Talents in the Spotlight
Xoe Heeney Bsc. student International Relations & International Organization
Multi Talent
Meet Xoe Heeney, Bachelor student International Relations. She is multi-skilled: decisive, innovative, calculates the risks and is a real asset to the team. Xoe has been internationally oriented for almost all of her life, living in El Salvador since the age of 12, and having traveled through Thailand and South Africa amongst others. At 19 years old she made the Netherlands her new home.
Making a difference in at least one person’s life Xoe competed in the NRG Battle with team Groningen
Xoe’s presumed decisiveness is reflected in her moving to the
Seaports. They created a concept to use algae as a power
Netherlands. “I’ve done my best to find a university that suits
source. “I was part of a talented team of mechanical
me best. I heard great things about the Netherlands and the
engineers. I complemented their technical knowledge with
universities are ranked very well compared to other countries.
my background in International Relations.”
I’ve even visited Groningen to get an impression of the city and the university. Still, it was quite a challenge. I had to live
“I want to give more to the world than I take out of it”
in a hostel for a month, before I found an actual home here. It was hard to depend on no one but myself. But I’m a stable, organized person who will manage herself.” Being multi talented brings the quest for Xoe which way to
“It was great to see our idea grow and evolve. Even though
go. “I do think I’m suited for a steering, controlling role.
we didn’t make it to the last three finalists, it was a great
However this study program offers you a huge range of
experience. I voted for team Grontmij in the finals, with their
opportunities, which I’ll have to explore in the future. I do
concept for a sustainable Ice Skating Rink. It was an
know that I want to give more to the world than I take out
impressive, innovative idea, which also made use of algae in
of it. I want to make a difference in at least one person’s
a progressive manner.”
life.”
32 | NRG Magazine edition 5
.
Talents in the Spotlight
Divyajeevan Sahoo Master of Business Administration (Specialization in Strategy)
Multi Talent
Jeev (Divyajeevan) Sahoo is suited for a very diverse range of jobs. He is a so called multi skilled person: creative, team oriented, efficient and decisive. No surprise that Jeev and his team were the winners of the NRG Battle 2011. They blew the judges away with their truly innovative thoughts on the use of biogas. This is just the start for this passionate young man.
I find it very important to work in objectives Jeev has proven himself to be a successful entrepreneur in
But I think today you need a variety of faces. Sometimes you
the past. On his impressive résumé you’ll find the founding
have to be a leader, sometimes a follower and sometimes a
of multiple energy related projects. At this point he is a MBA
negotiator. For an entrepreneur, it is still important to
student at the HEC Paris and co-president of the HEC Energy
actually be part of the team that you work in as well. I don’t
Club. He’s about to move to London to work on a new
see myself as a manager, but I do see the importance of
project. “I have got so many things that inspire me and make
working in a satisfied team. It should never just be about
me want to do something new.”
closing the next big deal.”
Being a real entrepreneur he not only has the capacity to think innovative, but also successfully incorporates ideas into practice. Jeev: “I find it very important to work in objectives. Sometimes you just don’t have the time to think creative, you just have to act.”
“I have got so many things that inspire me and make me want to do something new”
.
Having multiple skills gives you big opportunities, but also
“I look at the bigger picture. You should always work from
requires you to choose between all of your options. Or
your drives. That’s why I never entitle my projects as work.
doesn’t it? Jeev doesn’t want to limit himself: “I enjoy being
As long as you enjoy the things you do, it doesn’t feel like
the face of a company and doing the fundraising for projects.
work to me.”
Vision of the Jury
Vision of the Jury Always wondering what the vision of CEO’s and Directors on talent in energy is? The jury of the NRG Battle shares their vision on the new generation in energy. This is the vision of the jury!
p
The Jury of last Battle listens to pitches
Blow us away with your presentation Anton Broenink has held various positions in his career, ranging from Supply Operations Manager to European Optimisation Advisor as well as managing individual projects. He has gained experience both in the Netherlands and abroad. In 2007, Anton Broenink joined GasTerra as Chief Operating Officer. Congratulations with your appointment as a member of the Jury! Thank you, it is an honour to work with young and enthusiastic educated students. I’m looking forward to their creative solutions for the cases. What is your vision on the NRG Battle? We owe it to the students to involve them into the complex world of energy. They are the future generation who will have to take over the responsibility to provide the world with reliable, cheap and environmentally friendly energy solutions. Anton Broenink Chief Operating Officer at GasTerra
As a judge, what will be the topics on which you will focus?
.
I will pay attention, specifically, to the content of the solution: is it reliable, valid, outof-the-box, sustainable and something new? The presentation is also important. Students should be able to blow the jury away with their presentation!
Vision of the Jury
Decisions today determine the quality of the future Young talent determines our future. Decisions taken today determine the quality of life of future generations. That’s why young (technical) talent is so extremely important for our future. It is fascinating to see young people gathering process information, discussing and working as teams towards good solutions for the challenges we see in day-to-day life. Creative solutions for imminent challenges are produced, developed and presented in the NRG Battle. The NRG Battle brings together ambitious young creative and well educated professionals who are ready to put their energy and brainpower into
.
constructive contributions to these challenges for the future. In selection the winners we try to judge creativeness, team spirit, the non-obvious, usefulness, innovation and presentation of the teams. All elements together determine the final judgement Bernard Fortuyn CEO sector Energy of Siemens The Netherlands
Spectacular things happen at the NRG Battle Energy is technology. Energy is behavior. Energy is environment. Energy is law. Energy is economics. Energy is history. Energy is policy‌ I could go on like this since energy is a very broad and challenging societal issue. If successful it implies no less than a fundamental societal and technological transformation process. In other words an extreme make-over that is likely to last well into the next century. By its very nature energy will continue to offer employment opportunities to a large number of professionals from many disciplinary backgrounds. The NRG Battle format offers future energy professionals during their student years a great opportunity to get involved in realistic problem solving projects. And when students cooperate in
multidisciplinary teams to tackle specific energy-related
problems spectacular things may happen. As a seasoned NRG Battle jury member I have witnessed how many and often difficult projects were brought to a successful conclusion by their hardworking teams. The characteristics jury members valued most Ton Schoot Uiterkamp Em. Professor of Environmental Sciences, University of Groningen
in these projects were and still are, novelty, creativity, practical utility, cost-effectiveness
.
and societal acceptability. I am confident that the upcoming NRG Battles will be conducted in great spirit and will live up to the high quality standards we have come to expect from the participating teams
NRG Magazine edition 5 | 35
Vision of the Jury
Have fun, think outside the box and take responsibility At KEMA we stimulate professionals to explore and develop their talents. We create an open, informal and pleasant atmosphere where they experience a lot of freedom and self responsibility to do their job. This environment is essential to appeal to their talents. Especially for a knowledge company like KEMA, the capabilities of our professionals are key to success. KEMA is a thought leader in the energy market on several topics like e.g. smart energy grids, gas quality, green gas supply. To create this position our professionals are working at the front end of technology development. They need to understand problems and be creative to realize innovative solutions for our clients. Excellent social skills are relevant for building client relationships across the world, taken the cultural differences into account. Doing business is creating value propositions and relation networks. As member of the jury of The Battle, I will obviously watch carefully after the
.
quality of the projects and innovative ideas. I will also watch if the participants Pierre Bartholomeus Global Director Gas Consulting Services at KEMA
have fun in presenting their results, if they have taken the freedom to think outside of the box and if they have taken responsibility. It would not surprise me if the winner of The Battle will have those characteristics. For talented winners, there is always room in each and every organization. Especially at KEMA
Finalists who seek their borders The world faces a tremendous problem to secure its energy supply for the future. This cannot be solved without talented, creative and innovative engineers. The world crucially depends on its engineering students of today! Therefore investing in education is essential to ‘raise’ young talents to the level that they can contribute. A climate in which we can realize the maximum potential from everyone, at every level is needed. People don’t seem to realize that we desperately need engineers in order to solve global energy issues. Engineers thus deserve much more appreciation!
.
As member of the jury of the NRG Battle she will seek for originality, technical innovativeness, persuasion and quality of the team. Her philosophy is: ‘Try to get as much out of your life as possible.’ She hopes to find finalists who seeks their borders and inspire others to do so too Hester Bijl Director of the Delft Energy Initiative of Delft University of Technology
36 | NRG Magazine edition 5
Vision of the Jury
Working on a sustainable future The jury is very proud of what students and organizations have accomplished so far. Both preliminary rounds and especially the finals showed a vast improvement in case content, coaching, development and presentations. For me, this clearly proves that the NRG Battle is growing into a successful event which attracts high quality, talented and engaged students who aspire a career in the energy sector. As a result, students now have growing expectations towards participating in the NRG Battle and towards the organizations they will meet and possibly work for in the future. The jury therefore would like to invite organizations to meet these expectations by delivering challenging cases and work closely with the students. During the judging process we are specifically looking for innovating, non-obvious and well thought through concepts and solutions which are not only coherently presented in a surprisingly convincing way but also have a pretty fare chance to
.
become a reality in the near future! Only in this way the uniqueness of the NRG Jeroen Rijnhart Director of Water & Energy at Grontmij
Battle will come to its full bloom: a one day event where organizations and students meet, compete and provide innovative ideas and actually work together towards solutions for the important challenge we are facing today: providing a sustainable environment for our future generations
We’d like to get in touch with inspiring students Pieter Romer is Executive Director Operations at Alliander, the largest energy grid company in the Netherlands. Before Pieter Romer worked as VP Operations at Gasunie and held several senior management positions at KLM. He is member of the jury of NRG Battle 2012. “In the near future we will be in desperate need of talent. For a network company like Alliander the importance of the NRG Battle is to get in contact with students in an inspiring way. Students that are working with topics such as energy transition and innovation within the energy sector. These topics are significant for us because we want to shape our networks well-timed with a new energy infrastructure and from a social involvement. In this context, we need talents now and in the future that will help us innovate these nets considering the future demand.
.
As member of the jury I will look at the proposals with three aspects in mind. Pieter Romer Executive Director Operations at Alliander
Primarily there is the originality of the idea. Second, the relevance of the proposal in the energy transition and innovation. Concepts like scarcity of energy and sustainability are important for me. At last I will look at the quality of the entire presentation and the two-minute pitch.�
NRG Magazine edition 5 | 37
And the winner is...
And the winner is... Team Grontmij/Alliander Team Grontmij/Alliander won the international NRG Battle 2011 with their truly innovative case about biogas. The four talented guys didn’t expect to win. “No, not at all. ”, says Marcio Fleury, one of the team members. They are presenting their case and solutions on the National Geographic Channel which will be aired soon. Eva Liesting, case instructor for Grontmij is very proud of ‘her’ team: “They didn’t know each other, but were a brilliant team.” They blew the judges away with their great three-minute pitch about the use of biogas.
New use for biogas
enough biomass available. A brick
The co-fermentation plant produces
The case description sounded: “Hellouw,
factory in the area is already interested
enough biogas to provide for an entire
a town in Gelderland, has plans to build
in the biogas. But we are still looking
neighbourhood. Until now research has
a co-fermentation plant. The area has
for other opportunities for (local)
focused on optimizing the complex and
an agricultural character, so there is
biogas consumption.”
expensive upgrading process of biogas.
38 | NRG Magazine edition 5
And the winner is...
Team Grontmij/Alliander thought of
from different backgrounds in their
did need the students to help us think
ways to adjust the installations on the
teams. Jivyajeevan Sahoo, one of the
about new ways of using biogas. It was
end user’s side instead of adjusting the
team members, came all the way from
absolutely a win-win situation. They
biogas.
Paris where he now lives, to join the
brought new, fresh ideas which we can
NRG Battle. “We came from different
use now. At the moment we are
schools, different countries, different
working to adjust the net so we can
Innovation Manager Gas at Alliander:
cultures.
different
implement their ideas.” After the NRG
“We have looked for solutions to a
personalities made us such a good
Battle, Patrick Son got a job offer from
problem that exists in every gas net,
team. We really complemented each
Alliander. “A month after the Battle I
especially with biogas. How do you get
other.” The team consisted of four
asked Patrick to come and work for
supply and demand balanced with
guys: Marcio Fleury, born in Brasil,
us”, Esther Hardi says. “He is part of my
Esther
Hardi,
case
instructor
and
each other? During the day people cook, they use the heating boiler; they need gas, but during the night they don’t.” The team thought of an
That,
and
our
“It is a dream coming true”
team as a technical trainee. The next two years he will be working on a diverse range of projects. This way he can find out what really fits him and
innovative idea: use the gas for
Patrick Son, from the Netherlands,
we have the opportunity to work with
streetlights to create a demand in the
Lakkumanan Ramu and Jivyajeevan
him and gain by his ideas.” In addition,
night. “The design of the streetlights
Sahoo, both from India. “Because of
Eva Liesting says: “Isn’t that what the
are one of a kind. Instead of the usual
our international background as a
NRG Battle is all about: working with
way where the flame is in the top of
team we had a broader view on the
young promising talent with the aim of
the lamp, the flame is nearly above the
solution. We were able to think about
great innovative ideas.”
ground.”
very
feasible concepts that are used all over
enthusiastic about this solution. “The
the world, for example the gas burner
heat of this process can be used for
that we wanted to use which isn’t
other initiatives as well.”
known in the Netherlands”, Patrick
Esther
Hardi
is
Son states.
From Brasil to Paris “Diversity is very important.” Esther
Esther Hardi: “This was a completely
Hardi explains why they had students
new concept for Alliander. We really
.
Interested in the story of the winning team? Check www.nrgbattle.nl
NRG Magazine edition 5 | 39
Northern Netherlands: European Region of Energy Excellence
Strenghts of the Energy Valley region • Green Gas • Bio Based Energy • Decentralization & Smart Grids • Power Production & Balancing • Research & Education
www.noord-holland.nl
www.fryslan.nl
www.provinciegroningen.nl
www.provincie.drenthe.nl
TTA World
GLOBAL TOP TALENT Attracting and educating for the energy sector is a collective responsibility By Jan Schulte and Geertje Dam
The International NRG Battle The
shortage
of
talent
in
the
The battle has become successful
difficulties of securing energy supply
through
for the future. Time is ticking towards
collaboration
between
companies and top talents.
the zone of uncertainty. Therefore TTA World sees young top talents and the
competitive energy sector has become a critical business issue. This is why the
The main issue for energy companies is
existing experts as one of the solutions
company TTA World (formerly known
to take the lead in accelerating
to a greener world.
as
development
StudentsMedia)
started
the
of
young
potentials.
International NRG Battle as a ground-
Because when critical positions aren’t
TTA World is building a community of
breaking event in 2009. Main goal is to
filled, the business will run down and
passionate global talents to be able to
attract and retain talent in the sector
important projects will be delayed. This
cover the critical positions for the
and to innovate the energy business. It
is not only a problem for the companies
future. The idea is that the energy
has become the most successful annual
but for society in general. We need
sector takes its responsibility and
returning event for attracting talent.
people
educates talent in an accelerated way.
who
can
overcome
the
NRG Magazine edition 5 | 41
TTA World
“You immediately have to know who the right person for the right job is” John Kamminga, Global Recruiter, TTA World mentions. “That’s why we test the talents of the students”. “If you know who your best people are in the most critical positions. You will know who you strategically need in these positions in future years. This is where accelerated education comes in”, Geertje Dam, Director New Business TTA World mentions. The Energy Academy Europe and Energy Delta Institute (EDI) are perfect examples of accelerating knowledge and personal development of young talents.
“The Energy Academy Europe is unique in its interdisciplinary approach (bringing together technical, John Kamminga Global Recruiter, TTA World
economic, legal and social expertise), the broad scope ranging from vocational training to scientific education and the demand-driven stance in which the requirements of industry are leading for the innovation in energy education and research.” Noe van Hulst, Director Energy Academy
“Today we are facing a very dynamic global gas market. A lot of international infrastructure projects are in development (new gas fields, shale gas, LNG, pipelines, storage) to ensure security of supply. With this development we see an increasing demand for professionals in the gas industry. These professionals must have an international approach and an international network. In EDI we are focusing on that in our executive courses.” Eric Dam, President EDI 42 | NRG Magazine edition 5
TTA World
TTA World maintains an online Energy Talent pool where (inter) national Bachelor, Master, MBA and PhD graduates (for example: finance, engineering, commercial, energy) can sign up if they are interested in working in the energy sector. These students are tested online on their personality traits. “With these test results, in combination with their resume, we know exactly what the students’ full potential is in for example: leadership-, management-, innovator-, strategic-, entrepreneurial potential” mentions Dam. “The Energy pool of students can be found online and is open for all the companies that participate in the NRG Battle. Companies select and contact the talents they need for their cases directly and online”. We can attract these talents because the energy companies
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join forces in the Battles and showcase their most interesting projects. We learned in the last three years that the brightest talents are attracted when they are able to contribute to interesting projects. This is how a drive to innovate business arises
International Ambitions NRG Battle The Energy Talent pool and the NRG Battle are becoming a worldwide application for attracting talent in the field of energy. This year, we organize the NRG Battle – World Edition in Kuala Lumpur during the World Gas Conference. A worldwide campaign is launched to attract the best global talents of the world to the energy pool. TTA World’s ambition is to become a worldwide online Talent hub for the Energy sector.
Building strong Human Capital TTA World also assists companies in discovering the personality structure of their most excellent people. When you know who your best people are and what talent is scarce you can recruit in a more strategic way. We discovered there is a strong relation between excellence and accomplishing strategic goals. We use the Corporate Identity Model for this analysis and perform an internal benchmark in the company.
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INTERNATIONAL NRG BATTLE THE FINALS 2011
Quote, Unquote Feel the emotions of our talents who competed during the finals of the International NRG Battle. Read their quotes about a day full of innovative ideas presented by the most talented students. They became finalists of the three preliminary rounds, they prepared for months for this particular day. Watch and read what finalists thought of it.
Second place NRG Battle 2011
Winners NRG Battle 2011
“We are very proud to have integrated our concept into the streets of Assen” - Filiz Zorluer, Light Challenge -
“We aim for the highest!” -Marcia Fleury, Grontmij/Alliander-
“Our key is to keep it simple and to make it visual for the public. We therefore let an industrial designer create a drawing of our design” -Reinier Schneider, Grontmij 2-
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Third place NRG Battle 2011
INTERNATIONAL NRG BATTLE THE FINALS 2011
“The presentation during the preliminary rounds was already a great success, we just had to cross our t’s and dot our i’s”
“I think the most bizarre idea is going to win” -Rick Mom, Astro Economics-
-Team Siemens 2-
“We want to win, but the most important thing is to provide Gasterra with a product they can use” -Anne Johnson, Gasterra 1-
“Our idea for sustainable storage of ballast water is already incorporated in the organization” -Tomas Moerman, Groningen Seaports 3-
“Never thought it would have worked, the collaboration between communication and engineering students. But we have learned so much from each other”
“Good ideas need to grow through communication” -Anne Johnson, Gasterra 1-
““We radically changed our solution, since the preliminary round” -Tomas Moerman, Groningen Seaports 3-
-Thomas van der Meer, Siemens 3-
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Overview BATTLES 2012 NRG Battle – Europe Edition The International NRG Battle is a yearly recurring event. During a year there are preliminary rounds held nationwide. Each annual edition will end with a final during the Energy Delta Convention in Groningen.
NRG Battle 2012: Preliminary round 1: 9th of March Preliminary round 2: 25th of May Preliminary round 3: 12th of October Finals: 21th of November
Cases are provided by renowned companies in the Energy sector, for example GasTerra, Siemens, E.ON and Grontmij. Topics to be discussed are
www.nrgbattle.nl
amongst others: solar energy, transport, bio-based energy, law, sustainable energy, policy and communication, storage and autarkic energy.
At the end of the day each team will present their solution to an expert jury of CEO’s of renowned companies. This jury will select the winners based on three criteria; utility, non-obvious of character and novelty. After each round five teams will proceed to the final. They have a chance to win their own broadcast on National Geographic Channel.
NRG Battle – World Edition 4 - 8 June 2012 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The NRG Battle – World Edition is a competition organized during the World Gas Conference in Kuala Lumpur where 100 global top talents work, for four days in multidisciplinary teams of five, on challenging cases provided by companies. At the end of the four days, each team presents their idea in a 3-minute pitch to an expert jury, consisting of CEO’s and Directors from the energy sector. The jury nominates three teams that will pitch their idea once more to 5000 delegates at the World Gas Conference, who will then choose the winner of the NRG Battle - World edition.
www.nrgbattle.com
Where students meet, compete...
International Health Battle The International Health Battle is gaining a prominent place in our innovative health sector. Prime Minister Mark Rutte already presented the Health Innovation Award in a previous battle and this year the talents will work on cases with subjects like Life Sciences, Food & Nutrition, Medical Technology, E-Health en Healthy Lifestyle. Are you
www.healthbattle.nl
ready to innovate as well? Sign up now!
Health Battle 2011: Finals: 15th of March (2012)
Health Battle 2012: Preliminary round 1: 11th of May Preliminary round 2: 7th of December
International Finance Battle Are you a Bachelor/Master student and interested in a career in the Finance sector? This is your chance! Register for the Finance Battle 2011. The Finance Battle will be held at the Duisenberg School of Finance in Amsterdam.
Finance Battle 2012:
www.financebattle.nl
Preliminary round: 9th of November
You will be competing in multidisciplinary teams and work on cases like derivatives trading, finance & sustainability, retirement management of financial logistics. At the end of the day each team presents their innovative solution in a pitch. Participation is free of charge and it is your chance to get in contact with big names in the industry.
Will you be the most talented student in the next round of the Finance Battle? Sign up and win a scholarship worth â‚Ź26.000,- offered by Duisenberg School of Finance. The Prize for the winning team is a masterclass offered by Duisenberg School of Finance.
...and innovate
Marijn Dresden Young Professional and ICT Operations Manager, GasTerra
At GasTerra, you get the chance to contribute to a range of ambitious projects that really make a difference to society. You therefore have a wealth of opportunities for personal development. The development of our new office is just one of these projects. In our team of specialists, we are currently preparing the implementation of the newest ICT innovations. It is fascinating how we are all coming together to transform an energy-guzzling colossus into an exceptionally sustainable and modern office. In order to help realise a sustainable society, GasTerra seeks the best possible balance between all available sources of energy, both renewable and conventional. As the cleanest of all the fossil fuels, natural gas plays a key role in achieving this balance. We are therefore part of the solution. www.iampartofthesolution.nl