Results of non-regulated activities
Our focus is on good grid management and excellent service, which is why we are cautious about non-regulated activities. You can read more about our policy and choices for non-regulated activities in 'Stedin Group's activities'.
NetVerder
NetVerder continued its progress on the development of collective heat grids in 2021. At several places in Stedin's service area, we are developing open heat grids to which we will connect as many sources and users as possible over time. The first projects will be operational within a few years. The project Open Warmtenet Delft (Delft Open Heat Grid, OWD) is closest to completion. More information on the market regulation of heat grids is available in the section on Strategy.
The deployment of sustainable energy sources such as residual heat, geothermal energy and low-temperature sources (outside air, water) is continually growing in importance. We work for and with municipalities, project developers, housing associations and residents to enhance the sustainability of the built environment. While our focus is on the infrastructure, we consider the entire energy system, as well as the affordability of the various routes and their supply security.
In the WarmingUP collective, a national 3-year cooperation programme, we are working with 38 participants on developing usable knowledge, with the aim of achieving collective heating systems that are reliable, sustainable and affordable. This knowledge continually increases our ability to make responsible choices for the long term. This cooperation programme is now in its second year. Concrete intermediate and other results include the alpha release of a design toolkit for heating systems, an ongoing measurement campaign to establish necessary heating temperatures in existing buildings and a report on residents’ incentives and willingness to switch from natural gas to heat.
In 2021, Stedin, Alliander and Enexis invested in a ‘heat street’ in The Green Village on the campus of TU Delft.
NetVerder’s risk controls are fully in place as designed and operational. The risks of this business unit are periodically updated. Stedin Group's safety standards also apply to NetVerder. There are workplace inspections, we hold each other accountable on safety conduct, where necessary, and reporting concerns is also part of our safety policy.
The existing assets performed in line with expectations in 2021, without operational failures.
Sustainable heating in Delft
In Delft, NetVerder is collaborating with heating supplier Equans (formerly Engie), the housing associations Woonbron, Vestia, Vidomes and DUWO as well as with the municipality of Delft to create a heating network. Work progressed in 2021 on further developing the design of the heating grid. Progress was also made in the business cases. In 2021, we were granted a subsidy under the DEI (Demonstration Energy and climate Innovation) scheme. The municipal council of Delft adopted a resolution at the end of 2021 approving the decision to co-invest in a future-proof scenario. This means that, in addition to connecting roughly 7,000 homes of the housing associations, we are also undertaking work to prepare the grid for a further 10,000 homes. In doing so, we are paving the way for several suppliers to supply heat on the grid. This design necessitates the introduction of a second source besides the planned geothermal energy source. Together with the municipality, NetVerder is engaged in talks with Warmtelinq (Gasunie) to coordinate the future supply scenario.
The expected carbon savings are some 5.5 tonnes per year at the start of the project.
Rotterdam Botlek Steam Network
In 2021, NetVerder continued to safely and reliably perform the distribution of steam and condensate via the steam network in Rotterdam Botlek. Steam producers AVR (via two sources of steam) and Cabot sustainably supply steam to the customer Emerald Kalama Chemical. In 2021, 232,318 tonnes of steam in total were distributed using the Rotterdam Botlek Steam Network (2020: 251,433 tonnes; 2019: 223,000 tonnes). The plans to significantly expand the steam network are still in place. NetVerder continues to be engaged in extensive talks with the Port of Rotterdam Authority, local authorities and other parties in the Botlek area to execute this project jointly.
Borculo biogas network
Since 2017, NetVerder has handled the distribution of biogas from Groot Zevert Vergisting in Beltrum to Friesland Campina in Borculo. In 2021, 7.2 million m3 of biogas was transmitted to our gas grid without problems via this 5.4 km transmission pipeline (2020: 7 million m3; 2019: 1.5 million m3). As a result, Friesland Campina saves substantial volumes of natural gas at its production location.
DNWG Infra
Cooperation between DNWG Infra and Evides Waterbedrijf
On 1 January 2021, the cooperation agreement between DNWG Infra and Evides entered into force. This cooperation provides the framework for implementing the planning related to a multidisciplinary working approach for 2021 to the tune of €25 million. In 2021, significant progress was made towards further shaping the cooperation in a Multidisciplinary Organisation Initiative (Regie Organisatie Multidisciplinair, ROM), in which we work with deduplicated roles. The governance of this ROM and the desired financial transparency are important factors. A strong cooperative relationship with contractors lays the foundation for discussing changes in the chain. These changes include reallocating certain tasks (such as work preparation) to the contractor, for example. To avoid duplication of tasks, DNWG Infra and Evides submit work in the context of their cooperation on an equal basis.
High-voltage technology, new build HVS Terneuzen-Zuid
The High-voltage technology division is constructing a new 10 kV main distribution station commissioned by Enduris. We are building a new hall at HVS Terneuzen-Zuid, in which a new 10 kV facility will be placed at the end of 2020. We are also making preparations for the installation of an additional transformer. This is an existing transformer, which will come from HVS Kruiningen. The entire facility was tested and completed at the end of 2021.
DNWG Warmte – Ouverture
DNWG Warmte B.V. (DNWG Warmte) is part of DNWG and was established in order to facilitate heat projects. An example is the supply of heating and cooling in the Ouverture district of Goes. DNWG Warmte was incorporated into NetVerder with effect from 1 January 2022.
DNWG Meetdiensten
On 10 February 2021, Stedin Group and Censo signed the agreement for the sale of TUMS Meetdiensten. Under this agreement, Censo became the owner of TUMS on 1 January 2022. The sale was preceded by the establishment on 1 August 2021 of TUMS B.V., which brings together all the commercial electric, gas, water and heat metering services. The employees also transferred to TUMS B.V. from the same date.
Certification
The follow-up visits with external audits for the certifications of TUMS for ISO 14001, Certification Scheme for Cable Infrastructure and Pipe-Laying Companies (Certificatieregeling Kabelinfrastructuur and Buizenlegbedrijven, CKB) and ISO 27001 went well. Recertification took place in the context of ISO 9001 and VCA **, for which DNWG received a new certificate. DNWG Infra obtained certification for the Safety Culture Ladder, level 3, for the first time in 2021, joining the High-voltage technology division, which again renewed its certification for Safety Culture Ladder, level 3 last year. DNWG Infra is now also an approved heat metering company, in addition to being an ODA (independent service provider) and EMV (approved party responsible for metering) for gas and electricity metering systems.
