Steef Kalsbeek about his role at Young Energy Professionals

A role in sustainable carbon and project development

Steef Kalsbeek works as a project manager at New Energy CoalitionHis focus is on projects related to sustainable carbon: from green gas to CO₂ value chains. He also works on project development, including within this theme, as well as on topics like energy hubs, and he works within the international team at GroenvermogenNL. "It's a broad playing field in which you continuously collaborate with different parties on various topics," says Steef.

What is Young Energy Professionals?

Young Energy Professionals (YEP) is a national foundation comprised of affiliated organizations. These include companies like Gasunie and TenneT, primarily grid operators, but also consultancy firms. Together, they organize events throughout the year, often around four times a year, focusing on current themes related to the energy transition. These events can include workshops, excursions, or panel discussions.

"The member organizations suggest topics they're working on," Steef explains. "And together, we organize an event based on that, truly bringing together different perspectives."

From participant to board member

New Energy Coalition has been a YEP member for years, and a board member from our organization has been involved for several years. This position is held alternately by our young professionals. When a position opened up, Steef decided to apply. He had already attended several events and was curious about the dynamics behind the scenes: "I really enjoyed participating. And I also wanted to experience what it's like to contribute from a board position."

The board has a divided role, though everyone sometimes handles tasks flexibly. Steef is primarily responsible for finances and communications. He handles newsletters, invitations, and general member communications, among other things.

Contact with colleagues

What particularly motivates Steef to dedicate himself to YEP in addition to his work is the opportunity to expand his network and gain new insights more quickly. "At events, you realize you have access to a large network of like-minded people and peers who are also active in the energy transition. This allows you to quickly gain new insights that you might otherwise have struggled to acquire."

Although YEP focuses on young professionals and newcomers, the network is actually quite diverse. "We also notice that there are some 'young at heart' people among them every now and then," says Steef with a laugh.

The grid congestion event that stuck

When asked which topics resonate with him most, Steef immediately mentions an event on grid congestion that YEP organized last year. The event brought together various perspectives: from national grid operators to regional grid operators and consultancy firms. "It was very well put together. You really see what grid congestion is, what's being done about it, and what solutions exist. That was very illuminating for me." He doesn't work on grid congestion daily himself, but it does help him better understand the bigger picture of the energy transition.

According to Steef, YEP's value lies not only in its knowledge, but also in the people you meet. "The connections you make are always helpful. I was recently working on project development, and we wanted to onboard an organization. Someone from YEP had a contact at that organization, and that way, you immediately benefit from it."

A new generation of professionals

According to Steef, it's important for young professionals to make their voices heard in the sector. "Because they are the future. They're highly driven people, and it's important that they can develop and build their careers quickly. YEP offers a platform for this."

The network also contributes to the energy transition through knowledge sharing. "Everyone who participates and attends the events gains knowledge. This allows you to gain insights more quickly, which in turn helps you in your daily work."

Future plans

In the future, Steef hopes to further develop his skills in initiating and organizing events. YEP operates with an annual plan in which the board takes a more guiding role and collaborates more with other organizations. "That sounds like a lot of fun, and I hope I can develop further in that area."

Finally, Steef has a clear recommendation for young professionals who are hesitant about participating in a network such as YEP: doing"It's incredibly valuable to join. It has several advantages and requires only a small investment. It's often just a few hours after work. And there's often a networking event attached, which allows you to quickly connect with people you wouldn't otherwise meet."