QuinteQ Webinars 2020: Microgrids
On September 15 and September 29, QuinteQ Energy, in close collaboration with key partners and contributors, organized and hosted a series of webinars around the topic of microgrids. The introduction event took place on September 15 and the Deeper Dive on September 29. Please see below for a recap, videos and supporting materials from these sessions.
Between both events, we were able to bring together a world-class audience of 300+ sustainable energy and energy transition supporters to learn from an international panel of experts about how to boost resilience through military & humanitarian, islands & remote and commercial & industrial microgrids.
Below is a summary of the events, with links to recordings of the webinars as well as to the presentations themselves. We hope you can use this information to get inspired and join us in developing a Microgrid Movement.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 – THE NEXT BIG THING IN ENERGY: HOW MICROGRIDS ARE TAKING OVER THE WORLD
On September 15, the event began with an opening by Margien Storm van Leeuwen, who was co-hosted by Michael Koenka. Then, the stage was set by QuinteQ CEO Paul Vosbeek.
Following introductions, the keynote was provided by Peter Asmus, an internationally renowned authority in the field of microgrids. Peter shared a global perspective on microgrids, recent developments, as well as future resource and deployment trends.
Peter Asmus: “Microgrids will be necessary to keep our business going. Microgrids benefit emergency systems and hospitals."
(Find his full presentation here)
Then, the session zoomed in on 3 distinct microgrid categories, each presented by subject matter experts in their respective fields:
I) Island & Remote Microgrids by Leon Pulles
Leon Pulles: “We need a system change. Investing in microgrids is complex because it is about a system.”
(Find his full presentation here)
II) Military & Humanitarian Microgrids by Lt. Col. Paul van der Heul
Lt. Col. Paul van der Heul: “Microgrids are not the silver bullet. You have to integrate them in the systems.”
(Find his full presentation here)
III) Commercial & Industrial Microgrids by Jillis Raadschelders
Jillis Raadschelders: “The ‘next-next’ big thing in energy are connected microgrids operating ogether. Energy hubs wille enable energy stabilization.”
(Find his full presentation here)
The event on this day was then closed by Margien, Michael, and Paul.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 – THE DEEPER DIVE: HOW MICROGRIDS ARE TAKING OVER THE WORLD
During the follow-up event on September 29th, we took an even deeper dive in sharing practical cases and hands-on experience from people involved in designing, developing and operating microgrids, as well as people creating the enabling conditions for microgrids to be deployed.
As with the first event, we began with an opening and stage setting by Margien and Paul, and then zoomed in on 3 distinct microgrid categories, each presented by an international panel in the respective fields:
I) Island & Remote Microgrids
Panel members:
Leon Pulles (panel leader and Managing Partner at Energy Investment Management)
Nikos Hatziargyriou (National Technical University of Athens)
Hans van Breugel (WES Wind Energy Services)
Atem S. Ramsundersingh (WEnergy Global)
Simon de Clercq (Clean Energy for EU Islands)
Yunizar Natanael Pragistio (Indonesian Energy Transition Network)
(Find the full presentation here)
II) Military & Humanitarian Microgrids
Panel members:
Lt. Col. Paul van der Heul (panel leader and Lt. Col. with the Royal Netherlands Army)
Kapitein Xander Beks (Ministry of Defence)
Roza Freriks (DCHI)
Pim Leltz (Ministery of Defence)
Richard Brewin (NATO HQ)
Martin Kegel (CanmetENERGY Natural Resources Canada)
(Find the full presentation here)
III) Commercial & Industrial Microgrids
Panel members:
Jillis Raadschelders (panel leader and Business Director Energy Transition, DNV-GL)
Rob Kreiter (TKI Energie en Industrie)
(Find the full presentation here)
We then held the closing comments with Margien Storm van Leeuwen, Leon Pulles, Lt. Col. Paul van der Heul, Jillis Raadschelders and Paul Vosbeek.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Join us in developing a Microgrid Movement
The comfort and assurance of a very stable grid on the European mainland has made us complacent and given us a false sense of energy security, assuming the power grid will always be on and will always work flawlessly. However, with the increasing penetration of renewables and continuous electrification of key-functions in society, serious grid congestion issues and resulting energy imbalances are increasing dramatically. Looking at countries with a less reliable grid, including islands nations and remote developing nations, can teach us what works and what doesn’t as the world shifts toward a more resilient and sustainable energy future via microgrids.
Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has also demonstrated that heavy reliance on centralized support systems leads to undesired interdependence and vulnerabilities in society’s key-functions and supply chains. Decentralized energy systems – such as microgrids – will help reduce such risks and improve the resilience of people and communities, both off-grid and grid-connected.
That’s why we will be working with the network created through these events to establish and build out a microgrid community. The goal is to continue to connect, share and expand the development and introduction of microgrids, across the globe. It was a fascinating process to bring together – in two online events – such renowned experts from Island & Remote, Military & Humanitarian and Commercial & Industrial microgrid backgrounds.
Please PM or ping Paul Vosbeek in case you want to contribute or have a specific opportunity we should focus on: Paul@quinteqenergy.com.
For now, a big thank you to all participating partners, panel leaders and panel members for supporting the effort and stay tuned for more movement!
The QuinteQ Team
