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Today several trends, such as liberalization, decarbonization, renewable energy sources (RES) growth, electrification, and digitalization, are putting more and more pressure on the way the energy sector operates. This has resulted in ongoing transformation into smart grids (SG) and spreading of energy communities (EC), making use of new digital technologies and renewable sources. Within this paper we aimed to compare the conceptual designs of EC energy market topologies with some of their practical applications in Europe. Although previous studies have already examined selected SG topologies, our work provides an umbrella view of all potential designs of energy market configuration in which a community plays an active role. In addition, we follow a pragmatic approach, comparing theory with practice, and showing how the theoretical EC concept is currently embedded in reality. This paper answers two research questions: (1) Which of the theoretical EC network topologies are currently used in practice (2) How and which network topologies of EC have the greatest chance for the implementation in the future projects? To answer these questions, we conduct a literature review together with a comparison analysis of three case studies from the Netherlands and Denmark. This comparison allowed us to formulate some observations and further recommendations on formal structure, communication, and management, which, in our opinion, are significant for organizations planning to set up their first smart EC initiative, especially in countries where the EC concept has not gained popularity yet. • Microgrid connection, centralized or decentralized business models of EC connection are the most common. • The participation of community members is crucial to succeed. • Technology advanced projects must focus on maintaining good relationship with the EC members. • Scrum framework may prove useful in the pursuit of designing tailor-made solutions. • The replication of the projects in another location is rather limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the current geopolitical situation, the EU and its Member States are accelerating efforts to reduce their dependency on fossil fuel imports, while simultaneously tackling the climate crisis. With heating in buildings accounting for a large share of the energy consumption in the EU, policies to phase-out fossil fuels for heating and to switch to renewables are key elements. In the context of the proposed actions to phase-out fossil fuels at EU level, this article provides a systematic analysis of current and planned phase-out regulations for fossil fuel boilers in the EU Member States. The paper quantifies the share of energy consumption for heating that is addressed by such regulations and finds that the current regulations only address about 10% of the total fossil energy consumption for heating in the EU. The share increases to almost 30% when considering the planned regulations, reflecting the fact that large energy consumers such as Germany and the Netherlands have announced such regulations. The analysis shows that several Member States with high energy consumption for heating have neither implemented nor announced plans to introduce phase-out regulations for fossil fuel heating. The study concludes that immediate policy action is needed both at EU and at Member State levels. At EU level, the proposed introduction of an end-date for stand-alone fossil fuel boilers needs to be substantiated and implemented into the legislative framework. At the national level, phase-out regulations for fossil fuel boilers need to be expanded both in quantity and scope. [Display omitted] • Systematic analysis of phase-out regulations for fossil fuel boilers in the EU. • Only 10% of the EU fossil energy used for heating is covered by phase-out regulations. • Including planned regulations, the share of heating energy covered by phase-out regulations increases to almost 30%. • Comparison of different approaches for implementing regulations for phasing out fossil fuel boilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to explore how actors in the offshore wind farm decommissioning supply chain collaborate to manage collective uncertainties—external supply chain uncertainties shared among several supply chain actors. Semi-structured expert interviews with ten companies active in five different segments of the decommissioning supply chain in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium are conducted. Businesses currently utilize collaborative communication, information sharing, and joint knowledge creation to mitigate the adverse effects of collective uncertainties. However, collaboration is severely impeded by the presence of barriers such as intellectual property or the lack of resources. Nevertheless, opportunities to lower these hurdles and improve collaboration across the supply chain exist. This study contributes to the literature on collective uncertainties and supply chain collaboration in offshore wind decommissioning. Additionally, this paper provides practitioner-oriented insights to leverage supply chain collaboration in dealing with the decommissioning challenge. • Identifies collective uncertainties in the offshore wind farm decommissioning chain. • High uncertainty impedes decommissioning planning and preparation. • Several collaboration practices help in managing uncertainty. • Barriers to supply chain collaboration exist. • Finds a need for regulation and that uncertainty trickles down the supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents two different scenarios for the energy system of the Netherlands that achieve the Dutch government's national target of near net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050. Using the system optimisation model OPERA, the authors have analysed the technology, sector and cost implications of the assumptions underlying these scenarios. While the roles of a number of key energy technology and emission mitigation options are strongly dependent on the scenario and cost assumptions, the analysis yields several common elements that appear in both scenarios and that consistently appear under differing cost assumptions. For example, one of the main options for the decarbonisation of the Dutch energy system is electrification of energy use in end-use sectors and for the production of renewable hydrogen with electrolysers. As a result the level of electricity generation in 2050 will be three to four times higher than present generation levels. Ultimately, renewable energy – particularly from wind turbines and solar panels – is projected to account for the vast majority of electricity generation, around 99% in 2050. Imbalances between supply and demand resulting from this variable renewable electricity production can be managed via flexibility options, including demand response and energy storage. Hydrogen also becomes an important energy carrier, notably for transportation and in industry. If import prices are lower than costs of domestic production from natural gas with CCS or through electrolysis from renewable electricity (2.4–2.7 €/kgH 2), the use of hydrogen increases, especially in the built environment. • We explore two scenarios for a near climate-neutral energy system in the Netherlands. • With the OPERA model we determine their technology, sector and cost implications. • The electricity share in primary energy increases from 19% today to 41–71% in 2050. • Hydrogen becomes another important energy carrier, notably in transport and industry. • Biomass use increases, mostly as fuel in transport and industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents two different scenarios for the energy system of the Netherlands that achieve the Dutch government's national target of near net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050. Using the system optimisation model OPERA, the authors have analysed the technology, sector and cost implications of the assumptions underlying these scenarios. While the roles of a number of key energy technology and emission mitigation options are strongly dependent on the scenario and cost assumptions, the analysis yields several common elements that appear in both scenarios and that consistently appear under differing cost assumptions. For example, one of the main options for the decarbonisation of the Dutch energy system is electrification of energy use in end-use sectors and for the production of renewable hydrogen with electrolysers. As a result the level of electricity generation in 2050 will be three to four times higher than present generation levels. Ultimately, renewable energy – particularly from wind turbines and solar panels – is projected to account for the vast majority of electricity generation, around 99% in 2050. Imbalances between supply and demand resulting from this variable renewable electricity production can be managed via flexibility options, including demand response and energy storage. Hydrogen also becomes an important energy carrier, notably for transportation and in industry. If import prices are lower than costs of domestic production from natural gas with CCS or through electrolysis from renewable electricity (2.4–2.7 €/kgH 2), the use of hydrogen increases, especially in the built environment. • We explore two scenarios for a near climate-neutral energy system in the Netherlands. • With the OPERA model we determine their technology, sector and cost implications. • The electricity share in primary energy increases from 19% today to 41–71% in 2050. • Hydrogen becomes another important energy carrier, notably in transport and industry. • Biomass use increases, mostly as fuel in transport and industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past years, a new technology has emerged in the solar photovoltaics market: building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). Even though this technology has a lot of potential, the diffusion of BIPV has remained rather limited, globally and also in the Netherlands. In this paper, the Technological Innovation System (TIS) approach is used to analyze the historical development of the Dutch BIPV innovation system and to provide a comprehensive overview of the systemic problems that hamper further diffusion of BIPV in the Netherlands. Several systemic problems are identified, including 1) lack of policy support for the industrialization and commercialization of BIPV, 2) the absence of large firms from the construction industry resulting in the lacking industrial capacities of the BIPV innovation system, and 3) the limited value chain coordination and collaboration to help improve the compatibility and complementarity of BIPV with traditional building components and (electrical) installations. To overcome these systemic problems and enable the Dutch BIPV innovation system to move from the present niche market phase to the commercial growth phase, multiple recommendations are provided to both policymakers and value chain actors. • We use the TIS approach to analyze the Dutch BIPV innovation system. • Both the historical development and current state are considered. • Systemic problems are identified that hamper diffusion of BIPV in the Netherlands. • Policy support should promote the build-up of industrial capacities. • Value chain coordination and collaboration can improve the diffusion of BIPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]