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 the ‘Stedin Group’s activities’ section.
NetVerder
NetVerder continued its progress on the development of collective heat grids in 2022. At several locations 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 Delft Open Heat Grid project, (Open Warmtenet Delft, OWD) is closest to completion, and is working towards an investment decision in 2023. We also expect an investment decision and the start of realisation of the expansion in the Rotterdam Botlek Steam Network in 2023.
Deployment of sustainable sources
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 meantime, we are preparing for a potentially larger role in heating in anticipation of a political decision on the Collective Heat Supply Act (Wet Collectieve Warmtevoorziening, WCW). More information on the market regulation of heat grids is available in the ‘Strategy’ section.
Green Village heat street
Work has begun on connecting the heat street in the Green Village on the Delft University of Technology campus to the university’s heat grid, whereafter the heating network can be taken into operation. Once in operation, the heat street will make it possible to test heating innovations and (in combination with the available hydrogen and electricity infrastructure) to do system integration studies. The heat street is the product of a cooperation with Alliander and Enexis, and is managed by NetVerder.
Heating system in Goes
In 2022, as a result of the merger of Stedin and DNWG, NetVerder took over the management of DNWG Warmte’s heating system in the Ouverture district of Goes. Five heat pumps were replaced in 2022 because they had reached the end of their useful lives. Unfortunately, we were unable to replace all the heat pumps in 2022 due to lengthier delivery times from suppliers.
The existing NetVerder assets performed in line with expectations in 2022, without operational failures.
Sustainable heating in Delft
In Delft, NetVerder is collaborating with heating supplier Equans (formerly Engie), the Geothermie Delft consortium (consisting of the Delft University of Technology, Shell, EBN and Aardyn), the housing associations Woonbron, Vestia, Vidomes and DUWO as well as the municipality of Delft to construct a heat grid In 2022, work proceeded on the further details of the design of the heat grid and the tender process for the realisation of the heat grid was started. In addition, the contractual agreements and the business case were further detailed. In 2022, the stakeholders involved took key steps towards obtaining certainty about the geothermal source, which has brought the realisation of the project a step closer. In 2022, we obtained allocation of a grant from the national growth fund through the New Heating Now! (Nieuwe Warmte Nu!) programme.
At the start of the project, the expected CO2 savings are some 4.6 tonnes per year.
Rotterdam Botlek Steam Network
In 2022, NetVerder once again safely and reliably transmitted steam and condensate via the steam network in Rotterdam Botlek. Via this network, steam producers AVR (which uses two steam sources) and Cabot supply the sustainable steam to Lanxess (formerly Emerald Kalama Chemical). Maintenance was carried out on the steam network in 2022 during a complete shutdown of Lanxess. In 2022, 203,057 tonnes of steam in total were transmitted via the Rotterdam Botlek Steam Network (2021: 232,318 tonnes). This led to a net reduction of CO2 emissions of approximately 20,000 tonnes. The plans to significantly expand the steam network have advanced. Key subsidies have been obtained for this from the province of Zuid-Holland (€ 2 million) and the municipality of Rotterdam (€ 0.7 million). NetVerder remains in intensive talks with the Port of Rotterdam Authority, local authorities and other parties in the Botlek area to jointly realise this project. Once the steam network has been expanded, the expected potential reduction in CO2 emissions from the entire steam network will be around 160,000 tonnes a year.
Borculo biogas network
Since 2017, NetVerder has handled the distribution of biogas from Groot Zevert Vergisting in Beltrum to Friesland Campina in Borculo. In 2022, 6.3 million m3 of biogas was transmitted via our gas grid without problems via this 5.4 km transmission pipeline (2021: 7.2 million m3). As a result, Friesland Campina saves substantial volumes of natural gas at its production location.
Risk controls
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 guidelines 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.
DNWG Infra
Stedin Group purchased DNWG Group of Zeeland in mid-2017. The grid managers and office staff of DNWG Group have been integrated with effect from 1 January 2022. The commercial activities (including TUMS meter services) of DNWG Group were sold or phased out in 2022, with the regulated tasks of TUMS incorporated into Stedin. As a result of these actions, DNWG now solely consists of a non-regulated business: DNWG Infra. The further integration of DNWG Infra into Stedin’s operations is currently being elaborated and will be given further shape in 2023.
Until that time, DNWG Infra is fully focused on its core task: the maintenance and management (including fixing failures and installation work) of the electricity/gas grids of Stedin Netbeheer and the water network of Evides in its service area of Zeeland and Goeree. The aim of this multidisciplinary cooperation is to work efficiently and cost-effectively and to minimise nuisance for residents and municipalities. The employees of DNWG Infra and Evides work closely together on this within the Multidisciplinary Organisation Initiative (Regie Organisatie Multidisciplinair, ROM). The frameworks for this cooperation are established in the cooperative agreement between DNWG Infra and Evides. For more information on multidisciplinary working, see the ‘Affordable and efficient services’ section.
