Energy Hubs in Area Development Projects
A Multi-Case Study of Implementation Barriers and Enablers under Grid Congestion in the Netherlands
L.A. Talsma (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
W.K. Korthals Altes – Mentor (TU Delft - Urban Development Management)
P. van den Bragt – Mentor (TU Delft - Practice Chair Urban Area Development)
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Abstract
The Netherlands is dealing with an urgent housing crisis compounded by electricity grid congestion which has created a critical bottleneck for new urban developments. This thesis explores whether implementing Energy Hubs (EHubs) in such projects can help overcome these constraints. EHubs are decentralized, multi-energy systems designed for local energy coordination; they integrate on-site renewable generation, energy storage, and flexible demand management through a shared infrastructure coordinated among multiple stakeholders. The research aims to clarify how EHubs are defined and implemented in area development projects facing grid congestion, and to identify the technical, legal, financial, and governance barriers and enablers that influence their implementation.
The study is grounded in the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) on socio-technical transitions, which conceptualizes EHubs as niche innovations navigating within and against the dominant energy regime amid broader pressures such as climate policy and infrastructure limitations. Methodologically, a qualitative multiple-case study was conducted on three Dutch pilot projects: Merwedekanaalzone, Schoonschip, and Republica. These pilots were used to examine EHub configurations in practice. Data was collected through desk research and semi-structured interviews with diverse stakeholders, including technical experts, policy advisors, and distribution system operators.
A cross-case thematic analysis revealed several recurring factors that can facilitate or hinder EHub implementation. Key enablers included early involvement of technical specialists in the planning process, regulatory flexibility (for instance, through experimental energy regulations), availability of public funding, and strong governance arrangements. Conversely, common barriers were a lack of technical standardization, fragmented institutional responsibilities, persistent legal uncertainties (since current regulations do not fully accommodate EHubs), and high financial risks due to unproven business models. Overall, the findings indicate that while EHubs hold transformative potential for sustainable urban development under grid constraints, scaling them from isolated pilots to mainstream solutions will require systemic support. Aligning policy frameworks, ensuring regulatory flexibility, and providing robust financial mechanisms will be essential to integrate these decentralized solutions into the mainstream energy system and build environemnt.