This case looks at the challenges facing the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands in its transition towards becoming a sustainable and smart port. More specifically, it examines how smart energy grids and business applications (apps) could facilitate this shift. As the Port’s operations were mainly in CO2- and energy-intensive sectors, it had to find ways to reduce its greenhouse emissions and comply with the Paris Climate Agreement. Although the Port of Rotterdam and its industrial cluster had already taken steps in this direction, for example via a residual heat network and a hydrogen project, it still needed to investigate new ways to establish an efficient system of using energy and raw materials so that its existing activities would have a future and the industrial complex would remain a vibrant economic hub.
Digitisation was known to be one of the main pillars of future energy systems that could greatly help decarbonisation. Apps could be developed to facilitate the integration of decarbonisation and digitisation by better engaging end-users and other stakeholders. In order to develop the apps, business cases for them had to be identified, taking into account the needs and limitations of different stakeholders.
This case is part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) case series, developed by Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), Erasmus University. Focused on SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), it is also related to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals). Video learning materials and other resources about these SDGs are available at www.rsm.nl/sdgs.
1. Identify a problem related to sustainable energy that can be addressed by means of a business app;
2. Describe a plausible solution by considering costs, benefits and risks;
3. Evaluate the proposed solution’s contribution to the goal of SDG 7 by using measurable indicators; and
4. Discuss the different SDGs related to the energy transition and how they are linked.
This case is targeted at Master students (MSc or MBA) and executive students of business information management, operations management or sustainability-related studies with a strong emphasis on systems engineering.
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Kassiani Nikolopoulou
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Michelle van Koert
Port; Rotterdam; industry; clean energy; renewable energy; smart grid; energy transition; Paris Agreement; sustainability; zero emission; prosumer; software; app; business case
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