The energy transition is gaining momentum in the Netherlands, but not without consequences. Due to energy grid congestion, developments are on hold as they cannot be connected to the energy grid due to limited capacity. The ACM has revised electricity grid regulations to optimize grid efficiency, which increased the risk of congestion during peak load. This can be mitigated by using congestion management and battery energy storage (BES) can be the solution by storing surplus energy during peak periods and releasing it during periods of sufficient grid capacity, presenting an opportunity for Statkraft. This study analyses the effect of using battery energy storage systems for congestion management on the overall business case. The interactions between the battery and the energy markets is simulated using model predictive control. The business model of the battery consist of energy arbitrage and value stacking i.e. trading on multiple markets in order to generate revenue. This model uses real market data of four identified markets, aFRR, FCR, intraday and day ahead. The results of the BES simulation are used to build a business case for BES. The business case is comprised of a economic assessment, risk assessment and a sensitivity analysis. The business case for battery energy storage is positive and through research and modelling it can be concluded that the congestion management market is beneficial to the business case of the BES. Keywords: battery energy storage (BES), congestion management, simulation, model predictive control (MPC), business case.

In 2018, the European Union laid the foundation for a large-scale energy transition: away from fossil-based energy and towards renewable, sustainable energy solutions. The need for a transition is mainly accepted, but it is questioned whether all European Union citizens benefit from such a change. In fact, the greenhouse gas reduction will lead to a costly restructuring of carbon-intensive regions. Consequently, the European Union and its critics expect extreme job destruction and decreased economic activity in such areas. To cope with the ills that an energy transition brings, the Just Transition Fund is proposed. It serves as a financial buffer and provides strategic support for the successful energy transition to decrease injustices. Support for the most affected regions is undoubtedly necessary but is the Just Transition Fund increasing justice for these regions? The European Commission provided a similar strategic support program earlier with the Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition, which included providing support to apply for funding. As such, the question arises whether the Just Transition Fund increases justice when comparing to the predecessor programs. This master thesis serves as a first insight into the justness of the European Union’s proposed Just Transition Fund. To do so, several projects of the Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition are compared to the current setup of the fund. The data for the Just Transition Fund has been gathered in previous research while information on the Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition was acquired with an exploratory desk research approach. The gathered data was structured coherently by the creation of two main categories, the project and contextual factors. Each was complemented with subcategories allowing allowed the comparison of the projects. Ultimately, these findings could be evaluated with a transition justice framework that has been adapted to the research needs. It becomes clear that many injustice issues were present and often left unresolved in the assessed projects. Compared with the Just Transition Funds current criticism, many of these issues can be detected again. The most prominent justice issues found were of distributive nature due to scarce funding and a lack of stakeholder participation. The interplay of both problems leads to the desire to reach one goal: receiving as many funds as possible. As a result, the eligibility criteria seem to be seen as obstacles to overcome or boxes to tick leading to window dressing to meet imposed requirements. Implementing the same process kind for both programs is thus an inadequate path to take as the most critical justice issues stem from precisely this process. The inadequacy of some criteria leads to the conclusion that the Just Transition Fund merges indicators of funding needs with requiring solutions to grand societal problems. The European Union needs to reassess the posed criteria on their ends and make the said challenges a priority to be addressed during the energy transition. Furthermore, it becomes evident that the application process can lead to injustice due to a lack of capacities and political capabilities of the regions in need. With the current setup of the fund, transition justice can only increase to some extent. Still, there is potential for this program the first step is made towards a more holistic approach to coping with justice issues. The monetary aid, although insufficient now, can help the most affected if distributed and spend adequately. Besides, the fund serves as a symbol of solidarity with the most affected regions currently left behind. Policymaking is always a trial and error. Now, the identified shortcomings must be addressed to increase the fund’s impact.

Over the past few decades, new technology-based firms (NTBFs) have been considered an important engine of economic development. Consequently, a better understanding of the characteristics and attributes of these firms has become a primary goal for researchers and policy makers. While numerous studies found evidence of the relation between growth performance and strategy, clear methods and strategy formulation tools for NTBF managers are lacking. The main objective of this research is to offer guidance in formulating growth strategies for NTBFs, while considering their specific characteristics and environment. This research designs a solution for a large and complex contemporary socio-technical problem. In this, several contributions to technology entrepreneurship literature are made. Firstly, internal and external variables are identified that influence strategy making for NTBFs. Secondly, strategies and tactics that are applicable for NTBFs in specific situations and environments are defined. Thirdly, a conceptual framework that enables to select growth strategies for NTBFs by using an extensive “matchmaking” process is build and validated. This conceptual framework was built around three strategy management theories: Transaction Cost Economics (TCE), the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Contingency. Accordingly, this research investigates and reveals some theoretical implications for applying these theories to NTBFs specifically. The designed framework suggests that a strategy is subject to the internal and external environment, where the interpretation of this environment and the final decision is made by the management team of a NTBF. Feasible growth strategies for NTBFs are built around four regimes: Vertical Integration, Inter-firm Cooperation, Technology Transfer and System Integration. Two important clusters divide NTBFs and their suitable growth strategies; the ones with a strong financial position and the ones with a suitable situation for collaboration. When having a strong financial position, NTBFs can choose to vertically integrate or become a system integrator. Collaborative strategies can be subdivided in backward and/or forward strategic alliances, exclusivity agreements, equity strategic alliances, joint ventures and an IP-based technology transfer. NTBF founders use similar strategic tactics to deal with shared challenges. This research did not strive for prediction and certainty but strived to reduce the complexity for managers of NTBFs in choosing their growth strategy. Empirical findings and theoretical knowledge were bundled to understand the phenomenon, where this understanding is located on a higher level than the empirics itself. Especially since there will always be exceptions. Accordingly, the complexity of the research problem was reduced by using abstraction instead of generalisation. Generalisation was minimised where it is assumed that generalisation in NTBF growth strategies has significant shortcomings where too many variables interact. The art is within the clustering of variables, where these clusters are matched with a specific, optimal growth strategy on an abstract level. The multi-disciplinary abstraction approach of this research enabled to bridge the gap between research and practical execution. The designed conceptual framework is based on flexible conceptual terms rather than rigid theoretical variables and causal relations and aims to help to understand phenomena rather than to predict them. The input for the conceptual framework was holistic, using interviews and theory. In-depth interviews with founders of NTBFs were used to review the object of study from different, practical perspectives. Moreover, four theoretical viewpoints were used complementary: contingency, strategy, transactions (TCE) and resources (RBV). No attempt was made for theoretical integration or synthesis of theories. Rather, theories were combined in such a way as to enhance the qualities of each other. TCE theory was used for the identification of strategies, where RBV theory was used for the identification (or a lack) of resources, for which specific strategies and tactics can be executed. Contingency theory served as the overarching theme of the framework, where strategy forms the common thread in this research. An in-depth case study could be used to validate the conceptual framework by reflecting on a real-life case. A single case study was used, while context-dependent knowledge was assumed to be more valuable than predictive theories. The framework as designed in this research can be used for NTBFs when selecting their growth strategy. Further research is needed to examine the suitability of the framework for different NTBFs, where this research only validated the framework with a single case study. This can be done by executing several in-depth single case studies that lead to a more complete and usable framework. Data should not only be gathered from NTBFs but should also be gathered from researchers when it comes to the critical assessment of the used theories (RBV and TCE) and possible extensions of the conceptual framework.

This research explores the different envisioned roles of gas infrastructure for integrating offshore wind into the energy system of the North Sea Region (NSR). In this research, the NSR is defined as consisting of the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Norway, Denmark and the United Kingdom. The NSR is characterized by the increasing use of their considerable offshore wind potential, its current decommissioning developments of coal and nuclear energy, and its history in supplying, transporting and consuming natural gas. Within the NSR, there are different visions on how to integrate and leverage the full potential of offshore wind. This research focuses on how these coexisting visions can be made more compatible; by being able to exist or occur together without problems or conflict. Of particular interest to us due to its large economic benefit is the repurposing of gas infrastructure. Electricity and gas infrastructure are interrelated by electrolysers producing hydrogen gas using electricity and gas-­fueled power plants producing electricity. Focusing on the integration of offshore wind in the energy system and the envisioned role of gas infrastructure, this research initially identified several important themes in different energy visions, such as the locations envisioned for placing electrolysers. In short, these themes entail both technologies, infrastructure choices, socio­economic drivers, policies and regulations. Subsequently, this research concluded that some themes are envisioned differently by various actors. These differences lead to multiple types of (in)compatibility of the different envisioned future energy systems in the NSR. In order to answer our main research question, the current state of compatibility in the NSR is characterized. This is done by subdividing the different identified themes into four different groups with varying (in)compatibility levels termed ‘Group A. Celebrated themes’, ‘Group B. Themes where actors envision the same approach’, ‘Group C. Themes with competition between different types of approaches’ and ‘Group D. Themes where there is no co­existence possible’. This research concludes that there are differing visions of themes in the NSR, that for a large part are based on fixed underlying societal and geographical themes. It is therefore impossible for actors to collaboratively pursue one uniform compatible energy integration vision, with the exact same details envisioned by every actor in the NSR. Therefore, this research recommends collaborative futuring, defined as maintaining one’s vision whilst considering other existing visions within the relating geographical and dimensional (gas, electricity, hydrogen, offshore wind, etc.) scope. Considering the four previously mentioned groups, when one is ‘collaborative futuring’, one accepts that not every theme can develop into a group ‘A. Celebrated themes’, but that one must prevent themes developing into or being a group 'D. No co-existence' theme. In order to gain insight into how different themes can be collaborated upon, this research has designed a ‘collaboration framework’ to structure the (in)compatibility levels of different themes.

This thesis sets out to support decision-making processes throughout the Dutch urban heat transition. Over the last few years, calls from both academic literature and practise have emerged stating that participation throughout these processes is of utmost importance. Not only to gain acceptance for implementation plans in the making, but also to create a deeper comprehension of household’s values, stances and their role within their transition. As locals have been deemed key decision-makers, once’s that should be supported by policymakers. Inherently the qualities of participation should thus ensure a more optimal decision-making process towards a smooth roll-out of neighbourhood heat transitions. The problem identified however is that policymakers lack a comprehensive set of tools to engage in participation, better understand their stakeholders and thus better enable their decision-making within the local context of a neighbourhood transition. To address this problem a novel iteration of the IAD framework is designed, enhanced through value theories and a nested structure. To research whether this toolkit is fit-for-purpose, the design is operationalized on a case study. Namely, the neighbourhood heat transition of the KNSM-eiland in Amsterdam. It was found that the designed framework provides a structured lens through which the complex and dynamic heat transition can be dissected, unfolding insights that lead way towards more optimal processes. The IAD framework, nested and value enhanced, has served this research as a toolkit to guide decision-making across a neighbourhood heat transition. The design allowed the researcher to work beyond pitfalls of traditional participation and alongside novel standards. Leading to a tailor-made approach for engagement and decision-making, uncovering tension fields and misalignment in the process.

In this thesis the potential of demand response among households in The Netherlands is studied. The methodology is based on the conceptual design of an Agent-Based Model for the adoption of domestic demand response by households. From this model the subsequent flexibility in the electricity system will be brought forward. A review of the current literature has made apparent that the total potential of the flexibility in households is not clear. Previous research has studied the potential in some appliances to perform demand response actions and this has led to some insight in appliance performance as flexibility providers. Moreover, top-down system studies have looked at households consumption and have derived flexibility potential through this method. However, a bottom-up analysis of household potential for demand response has not been performed; let alone for the Dutch electricity system. Moreover, the willingness of households to adopt domestic demand response has not been researched. This is an important factor in determining the total flexibility that can become available to the system. The analysis provided some key findings. Firstly, there are at least 7 types of highly prevalent appliances in Dutch households that are suitable for providing flexibility to the grid. High consumption and continuously operating appliances offer the greatest potential in terms of all-time flexibility, but other appliances can still be very useful for peak mitigation. Especially with the low investment costs for "unlocking" the flexibility in these devices over time, a large set of appliances can provide useful flexibility. Moreover, household analysis showed that most clusters of households already have high importance for energy efficient behaviour and the spread of the number of appliances in households is low. Finally, the policy analysis provided insight in the types of policy measures that can be encountered in the future. Regulatory change that will make it easier for aggregators and utilities to provide ancillary services with aggregated loads will benefit the system, but are difficult to incorporate in the conceptual design of the model. Providing more insight for consumers into their own consumption and capacity subscriptions are other measures that could motivate households in one way or another to perform domestic demand response. Moreover, some form of mandatory offerings of 'smart' appliances could make sure households have demand response ready appliances in their homes. By reviewing the technology, policy and consumer behavior, the research has analysed the state of development of domestic demand response. The Diffusion of Innovations theory together with the archetype identification shows which archetypes are more likely to adopt and which archetypes are more likely to be considered opinion leaders. The influence of different policy measures is seen both in households themselves and their willingness to adopt as with the technologies that will enable providing flexibility.

The main objective of this study is to quantify interference effects between production and injection wells for geothermal projects that operate within the same reservoir. The secondary objective is to study the time it takes for the reservoir unit to thermally recharge after production has stopped. Two reservoir simulators are benchmarked to decide which one to use for reaching these objectives. The Ammerlaan, Duijvestijn and DAP doublets, all targeting the the Delft Sandstone Member in the West Netherlands Basin, serve as a case study. A literature review is presented to gain a better understanding of the geological history and the structural setting. A box-model of the study area is created and used to benchmark the two reservoir simulators. A static reservoir model is developed in Petrel through seismic interpretation, structural modelling, facies modelling and petrophysical modelling. Populating this static model with dynamic properties allows us to perform reservoir simulations in Eclipse100 and study the propagation of pressure and temperature. A discrete parameter analysis aims to capture the uncertainties that are associated with reservoir modelling and simulation. In this study, data is used from seismic surveys, wireline logs, core studies, a cuttings study and the monthly production volumes of the Ammerlaan and Duijvestijn doublets. It is shown that interference on temperature has a long term (20-30 years) effect on the Duijvestijn (positively) and the Ammerlaan and DAP doublets (negatively). The combined total energy production of the three doublets over 100 years is small with a decrease of 3% due to temperature interference, compared to when running the doublets in stand-alone configuration. Interference on pressure has a short term (days) effect on the achieved flow rate when the injection well cannot reach its target injection rate and is constraint on the maximum allowable pressure at which it is allowed to inject. This occurs under the low permeability scenarios and can be observed when the pressure wave arrives at the neighbouring injector. The Duijvestijn, Ammerlaan and DAP doublets all benefit from this through a combined increase in energy production of 8% over 100 years of production, averaged over all scenarios. During thermal recharge after production, the average reservoir temperature increases asymptotically. Temperature recharges to 96.1% to 97.4% of the initial reservoir temperature after 1000 years of recharging under different thickness and conductivity scenarios. The absence of a thermal influx at the bottom of the reservoir model is limiting the capacity of the reservoir to recharge to its initial average temperature. Interviews are conducted to investigate the implications that the findings of this research have on the policy measures for geothermal projects. Suggestions for changes in policy are made to optimize the recovery of heat in the subsurface.

As a move away from the natural gas based heating, the Dutch government identified district heating networks as most economical alternative to the natural gas. However, the future plans for the district heating sector have faced challenge on the question of the design of heat market and management of factors such as ownership, network access, tariffs and pricing. This thesis draws learning from the existing networks of Electricity, Gas, Water and Wastewater for formulating the design space of the heat network.

Blockchaintechnologyhasintroducedthepossibilitytoexchangevalueandinformationthroughtheinternet without the supervision or permission from any third party intermediary. While many private and public entities have seen this as a chance to increase their operational efficiency, other ventures have been utilizing this sameedgeasameantodevelopnewinstitutionalregimesgiventheimpactontransactioncostreduction, The theories central to institutional economics claim that transaction costs are the ultimate driver for shifts in institutional settings. The purpose of the following research was to investigate whether the reduction in transaction costs allowed by blockchain technology is effectively causing new forms of institutions to arise. Given that blockchain is still in its infancy, there is a current lack of academic literature addressing its governance edge. Furthermore, the few studies available adopt a comparative approach, hence failing to explore the entirety of new institutional possibilities. For this reason, the following research utilized the Institutional Analysis and development framework developed by Elinor Ostrom as a holistic and institutional agnostic methodofanalysis. The particular application analyzed was the one of financial product exchanges. Today, the exchange of financial products as securities, is coordinated by hierarchical organizations, namely firms. As a matter of fact, multiple different firms are involvedintheexchangeoftheseproducts. Exchangesareresponsibleformatching buyers and sellers, clearing houses assume counter party risks and make sure the trading parties can meet their obligations, and custodians and central security depositories are responsible for the final settlement of transactions. Furthermore, reconciliation costs are incurred by all participants when updating their respective databases. Given that blockchains are fundamentally public distributed records of transaction, they effectively undermine the economic efficiency and logic of the current systems of clearing, settlement andreconciliation. Decentralized exchanges are tackling these issues today. For the purpose of the analysis a total of three decentralized exchanges were shortlisted from the over 200 existing. The first filter of choice was to choose between exchanges native to the Ethereum blockchain. This because, being the oldest in the space, they present the most well developed and resilient communities apt for the analysis. Next, exchanges were further filtered by total liquidity in the protocol, or total value locked, and trading volume. The three exchanges selected for the analysis in the end were Uniswap, Sushiswap and Curve. Given that these protocols run on a public and permissionless blockchain, it was possible to retrieve large amounts of data on their relative performance. A number of data acquisition and analytics platforms were utilized for data analysis and visualization namely, Dune, Tally and Sybil

Interconnection with the internet is important for the business climate in a country. Therefore it is relevant for governments to understand the factors that influence the investments in submarine communication cables. However there is no singly comprehensive theory that explains the investments in this industry. Therefore the research question in this paper is: What factors explain the investment decisions in submarine communication cables? A pluralistic research framework is create based on three theories; resource-based view, transaction cost economics and transaction cost regulation. Analysis with help of this framework results in a list of factors that can explain the investments in submarine cables. These factors are used in a comparative qualitative case study between the Netherlands and Spain. In this way a first step is made to develop and validate an explanatory model for firm investment behaviour in submarine communication cables. Outcome of the analysis show that content and application providers and telecom operators have different investment strategies. Content and application providers invest in diverse connections between their datacentres as part of a vertical integration. Telecom providers connect regions which have high data transit demands.

Rapid intake of intermittent generation units, more decentralised production and electrification of demand impose serious challenges on transmission- and distribution electricity grids. Part of this challenge is an increasing amount of congestion on the grids. The Dutch redispatch market for congestion management needs to be adapted to include small-scale flexible assets in the electricity system for congestion remedial purposes. It is however unknown how the institutional configuration of this market-based congestion management system should be altered to facilitate small-scall flexible assets to provide their flexibility. To do suggestions to improve the current market design, this research combined an institutional analysis based on transaction cost theory with a market design approach. The research has looked at how the transaction from a congestion service provider is currently aligned with the current governance structure, such that possible misalignments could be found. Next, a design space was constructed indicating several choices leading to the eventual market design. By relating this design space to the earlier found problems, different means were found in- and outside the design space. This research has found two main issues that need to be solved. First, a solution needs to be sought regarding the relationship between a congestion service provider and a balancing responsible party. Secondly, it was found that the transaction of flexibility from a congestion service provider to a system operator is surrounded with too much uncertainty and asset specificity is too high. These characteristics of the transaction lead to transaction costs. Given the incentives that follow from the current market-based governance structure, these transaction costs are too high and hamper market parties in utilising their flexibility. The research thereafter has provided insights in means to lower transaction costs related to this uncertainty and asset specificity. Examples of these means are related to the information provision by system operators, defining capacity-based products and making changes to current product definitions. Further research is necessary to investigate the impact of the broad landscape of transactions in relation to the transaction that was examined in this research. Further research could also focus more on the relation between physical congestion and structural congestions, and relate congestion to other system services.

In the Netherlands more wind farms are constructed and energy is contracted in long-term Power Purchase Agreemenats (PPA) to guarantee a steady revenue stream for the wind farm owners. However, until now only large corporates closed PPA contracts to obtain the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from a wind farm and claim to be renewable. A new type of PPA is designed that has a direct link between the corporate and wind farm and transfers both power and the RECs. This direct trade PPA is analysed by applying an economic theory, the property rights theory, on the energy sector and by modelling the financial consequences. The result is a framework with the transactions, the risk allocation and the economic incentives of the actors involved. It shows more incentives to invest in renewable energy, moreover the corporate takes more volume risk on the energy production in order to obtain benefit which can be reduced by contracting a service provider. Furthermore, the financial model shows a significant financial benefit for a direct trade PPA compared to a traditional contract and shows a positive eect on the match between supply and demand. Moreover, the match and benefit can be increased by 25% by adding solar capacity in combination with wind energy. The next step is to further investigate this direct trade PPA and to promote this PPA type to corporates that want to invest in renewables and use this as a preferred contract type.

Achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement requires a significant transformation of current energy systems. The energy sector has hundreds of technologies and millions of actors working together to balance the system. Researchers are using computer-based models to understand the techno-economic impacts on the energy system due to changes in one or more energy system components. Modelling to generate alternative (MGA) is an energy system optimization method which generates hundreds of equally possible near-optimal energy system configurations. From the point of view of an analyst, it becomes difficult to provide in-depth analysis for future action due to the sheer amount of data generated by the MGA optimization method. In other words, while analyzing the results of the MGA-based model, one of its strengths becomes its weakness. This thesis aims to design a clustering-based analysis method and Python package (MGA analysis package) based on the designed method to analyze the results of the MGA based optimization model using machine learning algorithms. The package is developed for energy analysts and users of the MGA optimization method to simplify the analysis of results. MGA analysis package clusters the solution space and identifies representative solutions for each cluster. Along with that, it provides a regional equality index to assess the distribution of energy infrastructure. An interactive dashboard is designed to use the MGA analysis package with three to four user inputs and provides information graphically and in text format. The MGA analysis package is hosted on the git-hub (https://edu.nl/gmarp) for applications and further development.

Power-to-methanol (PtM) technologies have a potential to store excess renewable energy in methanol molecules. However, there is a lack of understanding about the role of these technologies in the course of energy transition. In this research, the influence of PtM technologies on power grid’s reliability and CO2 reduction are studied. An agent-based model is developed in order to explore possible future scenarios created by deployment of PtM technologies, in case green methanol is primarily supplied to the shipping sector as an alternative low-carbon fuel. The model outcomes are explored using two sets of experiments representing two hypothetical cases: "flexible grid" experiments in which the power grid is assumed to have several flexibility options, and "low flexibility" grid that the grid cannot easily adapt to high levels of renewable power production. The results show that deployment of PtM technologies can help with absorbing excess renewable energy and improving the reliability of the power grid. However, PtM alone is not sufficient to keep the grid reliable. PtM is shown to be successful in enabling high levels of CO2 reduction. The results obtained in this research can be used as the starting point to open up a discussion between system operator and policy makers in order to define a proper support plan for PtM or other Power-to-X (PtX) options.

The infrastructure gap is defined as the gap between investment requirements of infrastructure and the public funds available. Due to these gaps, not enough new infrastructure is developed and this puts a constraint on economic growth. This study looks at the impact that pension funds can have on closing this infrastructure gap, and thereby aid in an increased development of new infrastructure.

The situation of power system reforms in Africa displays incomplete reform steps and unfulfilled goals. The performance statistics of the power system are very low and tremendous efforts remain to be exerted to bridge the gap. Reforms in Africa were pursued with the end goal of creating an electricity market on both the national and the regional levels. While none of African countries’ experiences was successful in creating a national market, the regional efforts succeeded in creating a regional competitive market. Currently in Africa, five power pools are under development for creating regional markets that cover the entire continent of Africa. These power pools are in different stages of development and little attention has been given to study them. Our research aims to provide for the first time a thorough understanding of the function and the factors that shaped the development of African power pools. Through a comparative case study, we investigate the three biggest and most advanced power pools in Africa to answer the question of "How can the design of regional power pools in Africa be adapted to facilitate the sustainable energy transition, improve service quality and economic efficiency?". In this research, we provide a comprehensive understanding of African power pools by building on market design theory and integrating the theories of organization, capacity building, and regional integration. Based on theory and our empirical findings, we formulate a framework that explains the factors and dynamics of developing and designing regional power pools. The report concludes with a series of policy recommendations for the different actors and recommendations for further research.

Geothermal sources could provide society with clean and renewable energy nearly eternally. Geothermal district heating, in particular, could play a significant role in the energy transition. Although the application has been implemented to some extent, further upscaling is challenging due to various economic, technical and institutional conditions, resulting in barriers. This thesis presents a comparative, qualitative analysis of these barriers for three European countries (Germany, Hungary and The Netherlands). Through Energy statistics analysis, document analysis and interviews with experts in the field, these barriers are identified, decomposed, and their impact is analysed. It was found that barriers causing economic non-viability of geothermal district heating, poor insulation of buildings, and various regulatory and legal barriers are significant factors that prevent further upscaling. Finally, a set of policy recommendations is presented with the ambition to achieve a ten per cent share of geothermal district heating in the household, public and commercial services heat sector of these countries by 2030. To that end, European countries' governments are recommended: to restructure heat price regulation schemes; to reduce subsidies for conventional heating systems; to increase and reserve subsidies for geothermal district heating specifically; to provide attractive incentives for energy efficiency improvements in buildings; and to establish clear legal and regulatory arrangements for geothermal district heating systems.

Over the last 30 years, different technical and governmental developments have taken place in the Dutch hazardous materials pipeline infrastructure. These have changed the utilization and governance of the system, with the transport of natural gas being one of the most important during this timeframe. Due to the danger of the transported material, the integrity of the system is crucial for its operation and performance. But with trends like liberalization, aging, and the energy transition, it raises the question whether this integrity is maintained. Also with many researchers analyzing either technical or governmental development, the combination has not yet been studied. The following main research question was formulated: What insights do we take when reflecting on the influence of technical and institutional developments on the integrity of the natural gas system in the Netherlands? With the combination of desk research, interviews, and content analysis, the alignment between the technical and the governmental developments will be analyzed with the alignment perspective of Künneke, Groenewegen & Mènard. This information is then used to see if possible misalignments correspond to integrity perspective changes and issues of the infrastructure. Resulting eventually in insights into possible institutional or regulation deviations from what the system needed at that point in time.

A large part of the Dutch plastic waste is currently incinerated, with a high amount of greenhouse gas emissions as a consequence. If recycling is done efficiently, it could provide environmental benefit over energy recovery through incineration, especially in a low carbon economy where renewable energy generation becomes the new status quo. This study focusses on one of the most used types of plastic for packaging: flexible film. The aim of the research is estimating the degree of circularity in the flexible film supply chain from a systems perspective. Moreover, the focus is on discovering how the current techno-institutional regime involving the flexible film supply chain can be protected from techno-institutional lock-in: a situation where innovation towards a circular supply chain is opposed through reinforcing socio-economic, institutional and technical structures. To explore this, a mixed method approach is applied, covering several qualitative and quantitative research methods. First, the current flexible film supply chain is examined by means of desk research. This analysis indicates that it is economically more advantageous to incinerate than to recycle flexible films under current conditions. A material flow analysis is performed to uncover the current flexible film material flows in the Netherlands. It shows that the ratio between recycled and reapplied flexible film and the amount incinerated is different than expected. A much higher proportion seems to currently be incinerated than suggested by national statistics. Furthermore, the material flow analysis shows that much of the recycled content supply remains unused, as the demand for recycled flexible films is currently higher than demand. The main supply chain actors are interviewed for their perspective on the influential factors for innovation for circularity in the supply chain. The interviews are analysed by means of comparative cognitive mapping. Results showed that the actors perceived high dependency on governmental institutions for accelerating innovation, more so than interdependency within the supply chain. Furthermore, the demand for recycled flexible films seems to be one of the most crucial factors, with recycled flexible film quality as a close second. Aggregated institutional factors appear to have the most influence on the demand for recycled flexible films, compared to socio-economic and technical factors. The construction of the current techno-institutional regime visualizes the crucial role of the institutional system in initiating and accelerating circular innovation through governmental (policy) triggers. Desk research is done to discover trends for and relationships between the relevant factors mentioned by the supply chain actors. Subsequently, the flexible film supply chain and the relevant influential factors are simulated for different scenarios towards 2025 by means of dynamic modelling. The results show that only in the high scenario, demand exceeds supply, resulting in a positive stimulus for achieving more circularity within the supply chain. Moreover, in the high scenario, the reapplied recycled content increases significantly, which shows a positive development on the ratio between incinerated and reapplied recycled content. The same trend is visible in the low scenario, but to a much lower degree. Moreover, only the high scenarios display an eventual decrease in the accumulating stockpile of unused flexible film supply. Based on the results of the different methods, it can be concluded that the current flexible film supply chain shows less circularity than Dutch national reports suggest with their values for recycled content. Nonetheless, some positive trends are visible, that push the supply chain towards circularity. In the short term, institutional factors seem to be most important here, due to their influence on recycled flexible film demand. The government aims to achieve a 30% recycled content, compared to overall annual production, for each type of plastic in 2025. This can only be achieved when the influential factors develop as estimated in the simulated high scenarios, especially in terms of institutional factors. Due to the crucial role of institutional triggers and policy implementation in this context, it is strongly recommended that governmental action is taken for providing a level playing field within the plastic industry. This can, subsequently, break reinforcing technological and socio-economic loops and initiate change within these structures hindering innovation. In this way, the development towards a circular flexible film supply chain can be stimulated and a techno-institutional lock-in is avoided.

5GDHC has the potential to decarbonize our heating and cooling provision. However, the lack of existing project and thus knowlegde of its tariff design is hampering its roll-out. The aim of this research is to provide insight into 5GDHC tariff design and potential tariff structures to support 5GDHC roll-out and thus encourage the uptake of renewable energy in the DHC sector. The exploratory5GDHC tariff design in this study prioritised cost-reflectivity, efficiency and sustainability. Dynamic tariffs aimed at load shifting offer possibilities to promote these objectives. The proposed tariff structures contain a variable demand charge - based on subscription levels - an energy charge and fixed standing cost. Test indicated a significant improvement for cost-reflectivity and efficiency compared to a pure volumetric reference tariff. The sustainability component needs further review, as the results are not conclusive. The criteria that should be fulfilled by future 5GDHC systems are decisive for tariff design options. Moreover, factors influencing 5GDHC design - like role distribution, data security and transaction cost - are becoming increasingly important to consider. Not only do they raise social acceptance issues for the technology itself, they could have a significant impact on the criteria tariff design. The results of this thesis research show that a tariff structure containing a variable demand charge, an either flat or a TOU structured energy charge, and fixed standing cost can promote cost-reflective, economic efficient and sustainable heating and cooling for Dutch households by 5GDHC. Optionally, rebates to increase participation in automated operation can be included.