Inside The Netherlands’ Bold Energy Future: Lessons From TenneT & Beyond - CleanTechnica

The article presents an in-depth conversation centered on the Netherlands’ ambitious energy future, focusing on the work of TenneT, the country’s transmission system operator (TSO). Emiel van Druten of TenneT explains his role in developing long-term energy system scenarios looking ahead to 2030, 2040, and 2050. These scenarios help identify grid bottlenecks and investment needs, guiding a 15-year infrastructure plan. The goal is to prepare for a highly electrified energy system, and to validate the realism and economic viability of these scenarios, TenneT invited external experts, including chemical engineer Paul Martin and host Michael Barnard, to review and challenge their assumptions during an intensive workshop. Emiel’s background illustrates a practical pathway into energy systems planning, starting from hydraulic engineering and evolving through work on electrifying water pumping stations critical for the Netherlands’ flood control. This hands-on experience with integrating renewable energy (like wind) into operational decisions underscores the complexity and interdependency