Power-to-X Province of Utrecht

The Power-to-X approach is an area-based elaboration of the use of an integrated energy system. The underlying idea is ‘local production, utilisation and storage’. The approach can offer a solution for bottlenecks in the energy transition. It connects sectors by working with different energy carriers.

The integrated Power-to-X approach includes elements such as the production of sustainable electricity, the local use of rainwater, the conversion of surplus electricity into hydrogen or heat, the use of residual heat from the electrolyser, aquifer thermal energy storage, and the distribution of heat through a heating network. In this way, for example, hydrogen can be produced as a fuel for the logistics sector with green electricity, and electric cars can be used as batteries for surplus solar power that can then be used when demand peaks. The Power-to-X approach therefore fits in with recent developments relating to energy hubs. Energy hubs are locations where different parties work together on the mutual settlement and coordination of the production, storage and use of electricity using smart control systems.

Selection and elaboration for three business parks

On behalf of the provincial authority of Utrecht, KWR looked at the Power-to-X concept on three business parks: Lage Weide in Utrecht, De Isselt in Amersfoort and Ambacht/Nijverkamp in Veenendaal. A long list of potential business parks was first drawn up. The potential of Power-to-X for each location was then assessed in a quick scan looking at the local production of renewable energy, opportunities for energy integration, and the involvement of local parties. The workshop was organised with local stakeholders to collect the necessary information for each location.

Three energy variants were calculated for each business park:

• The classic fossil variant: the use of fossil fuels without sustainable production.
• The electrification variant: the large-scale electrification of business processes and logistics, with the use of solar and wind for individual energy production.
• The Power-to-X variant: the integration of smart solutions for energy production and storage, local trading of energy and the diversification of energy carriers.

The elaboration of the case studies leads to new insights into the efficient and effective design of the local energy system, with different sectors and energy demands being linked as much as possible. In addition, the business parks serve as showcases to inspire parties in other locations with respect to the possibilities of the Power-to-X concept. In this way, they too can take steps on the road to a clean, affordable, reliable and future-resilient energy system.

The exploratory study demonstrated, among other things, that moving from the conventional situation to an electrified energy supply requires a mains connection with 6 to 8 times the current capacity. On the other hand, the introduction of the Power-to-X variant requires a connection to the mains with 3 to 5 times the current capacity compared to the conventional variant. In short, the Power-to-X approach can deliver substantial gains in terms of the size of the mains connection needed. This is extremely important given the problems with congestion on the Dutch grid.

In addition, the exploratory study shows that the higher upfront investment for a Power-to-X approach can be recouped within a few years and that the cost of energy is lower in the longer term than with a fully electrified energy supply.

KWR will be working with the provincial authority of Utrecht to present the results during workshops and knowledge sessions after the completion of the project. In addition, KWR and the provincial authority are teaming up with the National Programme for a Regional Energy Strategy (NP-RES) to design an informative infographic about the results of this study. The provincial authority is talking to all three municipal authorities in question about the follow-up. In addition, the possibility of establishing an energy hub for Nijverkamp in Veenendaal and Lage Weide in Utrecht is already being studied in concrete terms. Until now, the focus there has been primarily on electricity.