Towards a Just Energy Transition in Arnhem
Exploring the Role of the DSO in Achieving an Equitable Energy System
Y. Çelik (TU Delft - Technology, Policy and Management)
U Pesch – Mentor (TU Delft - Ethics & Philosophy of Technology)
A. Correljé – Mentor (TU Delft - Economics of Technology and Innovation)
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Abstract
The Netherlands strives to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, but the transition to renewable energy risks deepening existing social inequalities, particularly energy poverty. In 2021, over 600,000 Dutch households experienced energy poverty, struggling to afford clean energy due to high costs and systemic barriers. Arnhem, a mid-sized city in the eastern Netherlands, exemplifies these challenges. With a high proportion of outdated housing stock and marked socio-economic disparities across its neighborhoods, Arnhem is particularly vulnerable to the uneven impacts of the energy transition. This thesis investigates how a Distribution System Operator (DSO), specifically Alliander, can contribute to a more just and equitable energy transition in Arnhem. As the operator responsible for managing and expanding the regional electricity and gas infrastructure, Alliander plays a central role in enabling access to energy by facilitating the energy infrastructure and shaping the conditions and tariffs under regulatory oversight. This research therefore explores how Alliander, in collaboration with local stakeholders such as the municipality, regulators, and civil society organizations, can help ensure that the energy transition does not leave vulnerable groups behind...