A redefined Energy Landscape in the Post-Petrol Era

Abstract

The importance of the energy transition is an emergent issue on a global scale. The United Nations, the European Union, the Dutch National government and the Province of South-Holland all have set clear and urgent goals. But still, it seems very hard to find the right strategy to tackle this challenge, together with a desired circular economy and without letting people behind. The Province of South Holland envisions sustaining the region with the port of Rotterdam as an important energy node for Europe and the region itself. Now, the port still relies heavily on petrol, which will become obsolete in this transition. Therefore, the petrol dependency endangers a sustainable and secure future for the port of Rotterdam region. The energy transition will be achieved through three phases from 2020, to 2030 and 2050 in an aim to gradually phase-out fossil fuels and phase-in renewable alternatives, together with increasing levels of circularity and social inclusion. Hence, this process revolves around the integration and intertwining of three main pillars that shape the framework of this project: Energy transition, Spatial justice, Circular economy.

In the post-petrol era of 2050, the region of Zuid Holland will embody a dynamic and adaptive energy landscape. This new energy landscape will become more resilient and autonomous. The landscape will consist of an interdependent and just network of actors and relies entirely on renewable energy sources.

In the future, the port of Rotterdam will be an important node on the global and regional scale. The futural port will be the core of the decentralized energy network in the region, consisting of several energy nodes that connect autonomous and self-sufficient energy regions. Besides, these nodes are serving as hubs for energy storage, raising awareness, education and other social activities. The port and the energy network will be opened up to the public to establish a new cultural relation between use and production of energy. Pernis-Botlek will be the strategic location where this comes together. The development strategy will reveal how individuals from all origins and walks of life will be included and can adapt to this change. Since, not only public actors have high interest to make this transition happen, private actors and citizens that have to change their business models and daily activities have to be considered. Therefore, the strategy also reveals how different stakeholders can work collaboratively and what actions are needed to combat the energy transition together. This will be shown with casestudies in Brielle, Delft and Westland. To maintain the economic importance in the energy sector of the port on a global scale, an invert of energy flow will be purposed, , from the import of Petrol to the export of hydrogen.