Energy Café NH: Noordkop heads towards energy autonomy
During the second edition of the Energiecafé Noord-Holland, held on June 4 at METIP in Den Helder, the Noordkop took center stage as an emerging energy hub of national importance. During the well-attended gathering, it became evident how rapidly the region is developing towards a future in which energy production, innovation, spatial development, and the economy are becoming increasingly intertwined.
One question was central, namely how regions build greater energy autonomy within a future-proof energy system. In this regard, the Noordkop proved to be not only a model region, but also a testing ground where this transition is already in full swing.
The meeting was opened by René de Visser of Rabobank, who emphasized the importance of regional investment capacity and cooperation.
Energy hub on the North Sea
The Noordkop is rapidly developing into a major energy hub in the Netherlands, with Den Helder as its central pivot. The combination of its location on the North Sea, maritime expertise, and a growing innovative ecosystem creates a unique starting position within the Dutch energy transition.
The speakers' contributions primarily highlighted the shift towards a more self-sufficient and area-based energy system, in which local production, infrastructure, and use are increasingly closely aligned.
Innovation with wave energy
Erwin Meijboom (SlowMill) kicked off the substantive program with an explanation of wave energy as a supplementary energy source within the North Sea energy system. SlowMill’s systems generate energy from both the horizontal and vertical movement of waves. In doing so, the company addresses the question of where renewable energy comes from when sun and wind are insufficiently available. Wave energy can provide an important addition in this regard, partly thanks to a nature-inclusive design.
Meijboom took the audience through the technological development, but also through the challenges and setbacks that led to the currently realized unit. With a subsidy from the Wadden Fund, SlowMill is working towards a targeted capacity of 2,4 MW of wave energy at Texel, to be realized with six units in 2027 and 2028. In addition, broader applications are being explored, such as integration into offshore wind farms and energy hubs within the Port of Den Helder, enabling infrastructure to be shared more efficiently.
The future of offshore wind in the North Head
Next, Bart van der Wielen (OranjeWind) discussed the role of the Blue Port Centre in Den Helder as a strategic base for the management and maintenance of the OranjeWind offshore wind farm. Van der Wielen emphasized that generation, storage, and distribution must be increasingly closely aligned within the energy system.
With this, the Noordkop is increasingly positioning itself as a hub in the operational chain of offshore wind, where technology, maintenance, and maritime services converge. The offshore wind program in the Netherlands is scaling towards approximately 22 GW, of which OranjeWind will realize 795 MW. Within the project, there is a strong emphasis on an integrated systems approach from generation to storage and distribution.
In response to a question from the audience regarding subsidies, Van der Wielen indicated that OranjeWind is being realized without subsidies, although he expects that future projects may again require (partial) subsidies due to rising costs.
Grid congestion also affects the Noordkop
Just like during the previous edition in Alkmaar, grid congestion was a recurring theme. Arnold Boon from the Municipality of Den Helder presented plans for energy hubs at the Kooypunt and Nieuwe Diep business parks. The approach focuses on locally aligning supply and demand, supported by Energy Management Systems (EMS).
The guiding principle is: measure first, then act. By spreading energy demand throughout the day, companies can collectively utilize more capacity within the existing grid boundaries.
The development starts with mapping connection values and contracted capacity. Where optimization behind the meter is insufficient, attention is focused on collaboration and the sharing of contracted capacity within clusters. In this regard, insight into network structures via a neighborhood scan forms the basis for collaboration at the infrastructure level.
Agricultural sector innovates along
Finally, Jacques Burger (GP Burger Flower Bulb Company) demonstrated how the agricultural company is actively innovating in the field of energy management and sustainability. The company has approximately 2000 solar panels and a battery, connected to an Energy Management System (EMS). This allows for active trading on the energy market, where storage and supply are managed based on price and demand.
The drying process of flower bulbs has also been made more sustainable through a thermal roof, whereby heat is captured under the roof and reused to heat warehouses. As a result, investments made in 2020 were recouped within a year due to the sharp rise in energy prices.
New expansions are now limited by grid capacity, meaning that growth must increasingly be realized through self-generation and smart energy management.
The Energy Café NH is an initiative of Rabobank, New Energy Coalition and Development Company Noord-Holland Noord.