Two energy production units dating from the 1980s faced closure as part of the Agreement for Sustainable Growth (SER Energieakkoord) in the Netherlands. The units form part of a co-siting industrial cluster, which includes exchange of cooling water, steam condensate return and incineration of waste materials. The project involved unbundling and relocating the co-siting activities in a tight time frame and starting up a new direct-fired boiler for steam production.

Automated scenario evaluations analysed all possible situations

Our client asked us to provide advice on whether the extra power supply required for the new steam boiler could be met from the local power grid or whether it would need to be strengthened.

At this brownfield industrial site, the local grid needs capacity to cope with a wide variety of complex emergency scenarios. Using predictive tools, we incorporated such scenarios into capacity calculations for the auxiliary power supply to optimise the plan. Our automated scenario evaluations analysed all possible situations in three time windows: power production units in operation, power production units shut down and the transfer period.

We were able to conclude that it was not necessary to strengthen the local industrial power grid. This saved our client additional construction time, risks and costs and contributed to the success of the project. The co-siting processes were all disentangled and relocated in time and the two energy production units shut down ahead of the agreed milestone.

Project facts

  • Location
    the Netherlands
  • Challenge
    Advice on whether the extra power supply required for the new steam boiler could be met from the local power grid or whether it would need to be strengthened.
  • Solution
    Using simulations and predictive tools to evaluate power requirements under various scenarios, we were able to save our client unnecessary costs and delays associated with the switchover of energy production to more sustainable sources.