Sustainable business locations programme
A strong Twente business sector is the engine of the regional economy. Companies form the foundation of the region's current and future earning capacity, providing income and job security for residents. It is crucial that the business sector in Twente continues to develop. The programme for sustainable business locations focuses on making energy supply on business sites more sustainable, a necessary step to address the increasing congestion on the electricity grid.
The electricity grid is at capacity, leading to what is known as grid congestion. This affects all of us, including business locations. Whereas companies could increase their production "unhindered" a few years ago, they now increasingly receive notifications from the network operator that energy capacity limits are being exceeded. "We see that companies are discussing this with one another," explains Christian Lorist, project manager at VNO-NCW Midden. "They are coming together to create a plan on how they can share and balance energy among themselves, and how they can manage energy use with software, taking weather conditions into account."
Physical investments at business locations
This aligns with the existing approach of Smart Energy Hubs, where companies collaborate to accelerate sustainability by sharing experiences and balancing energy consumption and generation. “Within the Programme for the Sustainability and Development of Business Locations, we are assisting business locations with physical investments to make their energy supply more sustainable,” explains Max Cornelissen, Spatial Economy Policy Advisor at the Municipality of Enschede. “We are starting with five locations: XL Businesspark in Almelo, Kennispark in Enschede, Twentekanaal in Hengelo, De Elsmoat and De Vonder in Enter, and Marssteden in Enschede. Each business location is unique and requires specific measures, such as installing a neighbourhood battery or implementing a thermal energy network. The resources from the Twente Regional Deal significantly accelerate these efforts. Companies also invest themselves, but these solutions are costly and often involve an unprofitable peak.”
Research
In addition to physical investments, six studies are being conducted in this phase of the programme to identify preferred solutions. “Groups of companies, for example, are exploring whether they can share a single power cable. Instead of individual contracts, group contracts would need to be established, outlining mutual agreements. This is quite complex, as it sometimes involves adjusting up to 11 contracts,” explains Christian.
Regional structure
Establishing a regional support structure for collectives of companies that aim to actively work on sustainable energy solutions is also part of the programme. The programme team forms the core of this regional structure, with Menno ten Heggeler representing entrepreneurs and Elize Radema representing municipalities. “Menno and Elize will assist entrepreneurs with the challenges that are sure to arise in each project,” explains Christian. “But companies also learn from one another. Knowledge sharing is another goal of the programme. We want to build a community where one business location can assist another. Our aim is to establish a structure that will continue to exist beyond three years and truly facilitate the energy transition. This includes involving educational institutions, which contribute new knowledge to the research questions that emerge.”
A new round
The programme team is also preparing the new round, in which applications can be submitted again. “In addition to the investments at five locations and six studies, we want to advance other projects as well. It would be great if we could also support business locations in smaller municipalities in their sustainability efforts,” explain Menno and Elize. “This should involve multiple owners and a collective facility. Local ownership is important.”
Want to know more? Then contact:
Menno ten Heggeler: menno@ondernemendtwente.nl
Elize Radema: elize@ondernemendtwente.nl