RSM's role and the WP7 focus
Starting on 1 January 2025 and supported throughout this transformative project by a PhD student, Dr Ghiassi-Farrokhfal and his TOM colleague, Dr Sameer Mehta, will evaluate upcoming changes in the Dutch energy markets to devise solutions that can accommodate a high renewable energy intake from the North Sea. The team will also work to enhance market flexibility and sector integration.
In close cooperation with Dutch energy grid operator Stedin, a key responsibility for this team surrounds Work Package 7: designing the data layer within this ecosystem. Data is pivotal in energy market transitions, and Dr Ghiassi-Farrokhfal, Dr Mehta and their team seek to answer the critical questions:
- How can current trends in data collection, storage and sharing meet the rising demands of energy digitalisation? Moreover, is this data being used correctly in terms of fairness, privacy, security, values and regulatory aspects; and
- How can data availability and usage be improved to meet these objectives?
Transforming energy systems
The MODES project tackles crucial questions about the organisation of the Dutch energy market to support and sustain the energy transition. Additionally, it explores how the market will function post-transition. An interdisciplinary team – comprising stakeholders from government, industry, consumers, network companies and energy cooperatives – will collaborate to develop comprehensive solutions.
Collectively, the goal is to understand potential future market designs and conditions, which are intended to guide the creation of a CO2-neutral energy system by 2050. This endeavour includes redefining the balance between market forces and government regulations, integrating the roles of citizens within the energy system, and harmonising local and global energy markets.
Leadership and collaboration
In its entirety, this project is led by Prof. Laurens de Vries from TU Delft and it includes several well-known knowledge institutes and patrons. In addition to RSM and TU Delft, other participating universities include TU-Eindhoven, Tilburg, Twente and Utrecht, with patrons such as Stedin, Gemente Amsterdam, Vattenfall, RVO and Tennet.