How Enexis works with nlmtd to make medium-voltage energy transition a reality

Energy

Strategy

Challenge

The medium-voltage grid requires customization: manual calculations per customer are time-consuming and not scalable. Enexis wants proactive insight into grid capacity and future investments.

This requires network architects and IT to work closely together to develop and adopt a new, more efficient way of working. This involves network architects and IT working closely together to create and adopt a new, more efficient approach.

Result

The approach creates a faster, data-driven way of working. Grid architects work proactively, there is an attractive vision for investment plans, and collaboration with IT and external parties has been strengthened.

Customer

Enexis manages the electricity grid in the north, east, and south of the Netherlands and works to create a reliable, sustainable, and smart energy system.

In brief

Following an earlier collaboration on low-voltage networks, Enexis approached nlmtd again. This time with a follow-up question: How can we make the energy transition at the medium-voltage level concrete and transparent?

For the low-voltage grid, in cooperation with Enexis, we had already developed tooling to gain insight into the grid proactively. This tooling enabled the identification of time bottlenecks and the development of appropriate solutions. Based on this work package, the large-scale neighborhood approach could be started. There was a similar demand for the medium-voltage grid, but the work was fundamentally different. Fewer standard calculations were possible, which required more customization.

Together, we developed the program Meters Maken op Middenspanning (Making Progress on Medium Voltage), a new method, vision, and set of tools. The result? Faster insight, standardized policy, and a solid foundation for a future-proof electricity grid.

Km of cable until 2032

New buildings until 2032

Billion in investments

The first calculations provided important insight for Enexis. Thanks to the insights gained from these analyses, it became clear how significant the energy transition would be and that it could no longer be done the old way.

- Thijs Derksen (Manager Grid and Capacity Management)

Challenge

From reactive to proactive

The load on the medium-voltage network was previously calculated manually, with high precision, by network architects for each customer demand. This required a significant workforce, time, and money. Given the pace of the energy transition and the enormous increase in power demand, such a reactive approach was no longer tenable. The need arose to monitor developments in the local electricity grid proactively and to make large-scale, future-proof investments in the medium-voltage networks. So that grid expansions and acquisitions could be initiated more effectively and efficiently.

A new way of working

On the one hand, this requires a new way of working: architects must be able to trust the forecasts and tooling and cooperate intensively with IT. On the other hand, the project acts as a catalyst for change within the department.

Process

In collaboration with Manager Net & Capacity Management MS/LS Thijs Derksen and his core team, a clear mission and vision for the department was established. A roadmap was then used to clarify what was needed to realize that mission. Making it concrete made it clear how extensive the project would be and that a new approach was required.

Enexis’ mission is to obtain up-to-date insights into the medium-voltage grid, assess the impact of developments, and develop proactive, multi-year work packages. To achieve this, enmtd set up the Making Progress on Medium Voltage program. Significant attention was also paid to change management. Teams have been tasked with defining their own grid vision, ensuring ownership, commitment, and accountability.

In consultation with the teams involved, a new 10-year vision for medium-voltage was developed: strong in terms of content, visually appealing, and elaborated for each grid area. This network vision provides direction and foundation for future investment decisions.

Deepdive in the process

New tooling
In collaboration with Enexis ICT’s development teams, we began designing new tooling. By having network architects work directly with ICT, both domain knowledge and mutual trust grew. The tooling was developed by Enexis ICT, in collaboration with regular suppliers. An automated flow replaced manual calculations. This increased awareness of grid capacity and bottlenecks led to faster, better-informed decisions.

Proactive role for network architects
For network architects, the new tooling means a significant change. Manual calculations disappear, raising questions such as: What should we focus on? What work is falling away? What do we need to keep up with this new way of working?
Together with Enexis, we opened communication channels with other departments, organized webinars on the grid vision, and set up an internal roadshow. In this way, the energy transition was widely supported within the organization. This helped architects adopt a proactive role towards their colleagues.

Data-driven work
Based on data-driven future projections, investments are now being made in robust solutions. No longer reactive, but proactive. This saves time, prevents fragmentation, and improves decision-making for network architects and the rest of the organization.

Standardized policies
Combining innovative tooling with streamlined policies has also improved the way we work. Where previously different approaches existed, and no standard cable was used, the same cable is now proposed in 90% of cases. This accelerates decision-making, simplifies calculations, and makes procurement more efficient.
In short: data-driven work with a high degree of automation and standardization.

Result

The approach led to a new way of working, with a strong focus on automation and data-driven decision-making. This also required a cultural shift, both internally and externally, including the political environment.

Specifically, the approach yielded.

Time savings: What used to require two months of manual calculations per network architect has now been reduced to a single person, who gains quick insights through the tooling.
Net vision realized: A substantively strong and visually appealing vision provides direction and rationale for investment decisions.
More concrete conversations with governments: Thanks to the tooling and data insights, Enexis is stronger in discussions with municipalities and provinces. For example, about land purchases and required energy infrastructure in their areas (Programming and Prioritizing LAN)
From reactive to proactive: The Net & Capacity Management Department now anticipates future capacity needs rather than responding reactively.
Support and cooperation have increased: Network architects used to work primarily independently at branch offices; there is now closer national cooperation with IT.

Catalyst of the energy transition
By standardizing solutions and investments and due to the large volume, Enexis was able to redesign the way of execution completely:

Multi-year planned grid investments and insight into the multi-year investment volume ensure that the organization, implementation partners, and stakeholders are included in this early and can anticipate on time.
Separate production lines, established within the domain of the Operations on implementation organization, with external parties and new tenders.
Standardization of Transportation Distribution Stations, prefabricated and placed on site within three days, instead of customization with months-long lead time.
Good strategic and tactical discussions with municipalities, as we can address the overall planning for the energy transition rather than permitting or land acquisition for individual projects.

Insights and Learning Points

As with any change process, valuable lessons were learned:

Involve IT from the beginning. Dependence on IT was high, but initially underestimated. Therefore, involve them from day one.
Focus on the right network segment. The tooling was first built for medium-voltage transmission – the “highways” – but would have delivered value faster if it had started with medium-voltage distribution, the neighborhoods. After all, that segment has a much larger volume.
Learning ability is essential. By providing room for growth and advancing insight, the team was able to adapt and improve quickly. This aligns with both nlmtd’s working method and Enexis’s dynamic environment.

Conclusion

A future-proof energy system

Although the medium-voltage program has now been completed, cooperation with Enexis continues on a new trajectory. The next step is to connect grid insights, departments, and strategies to enable joint dynamic system management. In short, the foundation for a future-proof energy system has been laid and is now being built on.