{"id":42407,"date":"2025-12-04T09:28:59","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T08:28:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/inspiration\/the-energy-transition-from-urgent-problem-to-collaborative-breakthrough\/"},"modified":"2025-12-04T10:39:19","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T09:39:19","slug":"the-energy-transition-from-urgent-problem-to-collaborative-breakthrough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/inspiration\/the-energy-transition-from-urgent-problem-to-collaborative-breakthrough\/","title":{"rendered":"The energy transition: turning an urgent problem into a collaborative breakthrough"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"42407\" class=\"elementor elementor-42407 elementor-42105\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-top elementor-element elementor-element-49cd3cf e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"49cd3cf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d75bcb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3d75bcb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-075cb6b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"075cb6b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a11245 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9a11245\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1707\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Thomas-te-Lintelo-1-1-scaled-e1764241688423.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-42109\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7555210 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7555210\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71b9d59 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"71b9d59\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Thomas te Lintelo<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fd69a1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7fd69a1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Consultant<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad00709 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad00709\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #484f56;\">Thomas is a passionate and curious team player with a keen interest in sustainability, the energy transition, and the circular economy, sectors to which he wants to contribute positively. Drawing on his diverse experience, he has technical and analytical skills, and, with a pragmatic approach, he focuses on achieving concrete, effective results. With a down-to-earth but cheerful attitude, he steers organizations towards improvement. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2fa1fe9 elementor-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"2fa1fe9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"mailto:%20willem@nlmtd.com\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Get in touch<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65b7759 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"65b7759\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41cd161 elementor-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"41cd161\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-9725cf6\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>December 4, 2025<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7db67eb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7db67eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Share this article<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3362ff elementor-widget elementor-widget-reycore-social-sharing\" data-id=\"c3362ff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"reycore-social-sharing.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"rey-element rey-elSharing\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<ul class=\"rey-postSocialShare --minimal\">\n\t\t\t\t<li class=\"rey-shareItem--facebook-f\"><a 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M17.199,18.602c-0.349,0.262-0.763,0.4-1.199,0.4c-0.436,0-0.851-0.139-1.2-0.4L10.665,15.5l-0.833-0.625L2,9.001V9  c0-1.103,0.897-2,2-2h24c1.102,0,2,0.897,2,2L17.199,18.602z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/li>\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<!-- .rey-postSocialShare -->\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6c652d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d6c652d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cbc9538 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cbc9538\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How three energy leaders analyze the puzzle of our future energy system during WTC 40hrs  <\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54a9586 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"54a9586\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The transition from a fossil-driven energy system to a renewable system is not an abstract vision of the future; it is the task that is currently unfolding at full speed, in Europe and beyond. Access to clean energy for everyone requires new solutions as well as a robust distribution network capable of carrying these ambitions. That we are facing a challenge of unprecedented complexity, and that we must look for new solutions, the audience at WTC 40hrs was unanimous on that. <\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">During a panel discussion hosted by <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Korik Alons<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, Co-Founder &amp; Energy Transition Lead at nlmtd, three leaders took the stage: <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mick Valentin<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> (Investment Associate at Rockstart), <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Arash Azami<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> (Founder of Unify.Energy), and <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Roel van Diepen<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> (Investment Director Benelux &amp; UK at InnoEnergy).<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Their shared mission: to unravel the &#8220;wicked problems&#8221; of the energy transition and outline possible breakthroughs.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e92edc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7e92edc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A transition that will never truly be 'finished'  <\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dbcfda3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dbcfda3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">All three guests have been looking under the hood of the energy system for years. Looking at current problems yields one crucial conclusion: the energy transition is not a project with an end date. According to Azami, <em>&#8220;we will always be in transition&#8221;<\/em> because technology, politics, and societal dynamics are constantly changing. <\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Yet the urgency is greater than ever. Because, as Mick Valentin emphasizes, we have an excellent foundation for renewable energy production, but without a solution to grid congestion, the system will grind to a halt. The grid is already at its limits, creating a bottleneck for further green growth. <\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\" lang=\"NL-NL\" xml:lang=\"NL-NL\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\">Roel van Diepen <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\">card in addition to a <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\">different challenge<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\">: Europe is <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\">in its <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\">energy <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW121637766 BCX8\">supply<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\"> chain <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\">too dependent on <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\">imports,<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\"> first from fossil resources, now increasingly from electrification technologies such as chips, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\">batteries,<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\"> and<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\"> other<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\"> electronic<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\">components. <em>&#8220;Without European manufacturing, we remain vulnerable,&#8221;<\/em> he argues. The recent example of <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW121637766 BCX8\">Nexperia<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\">,<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\"> and the Chinese grip on critical technology<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\">,<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121637766 BCX8\"> shows that clearly.<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6bc1418 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6bc1418\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51b6886 elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"51b6886\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-quote-left\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0dc8bff e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0dc8bff\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f414f7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3f414f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>&#8220;Without European manufacturing, we remain vulnerable&#8221;.<\/p><p><span style=\"color: #0c969a; font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold; white-space-collapse: preserve;\">Roel van Diepen, <\/span><span style=\"color: #0c969a; font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold; white-space-collapse: preserve;\" data-contrast=\"auto\"> Benelux &amp; UK at InnoEnergy<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d3e94b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4d3e94b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/54938189825_b44c7ab11b_b-e1764247265806.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-42121\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ebc3bfd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ebc3bfd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Breakthroughs: technology, people, and ecosystems <\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bcc492a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bcc492a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When the conversation shifts to solutions, people see an opportunity in energy becoming increasingly local. Where centralized generation and large-scale distribution were the norm for decades, new energy communities, local storage, and decentralized markets are now emerging.<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">But according to Azami, part of the key also lies in digitization:<\/span> <em>&#8220;Electricity is not only hardware, but it is also software. We can solve problems with cables, but also with smart algorithms.&#8221;<\/em><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">That combination means going back to the drawing board, not only technically, but especially socially. Because new systems require a different way of thinking, acting, approaching things, and working together. When someone in the audience asks whether it is a matter of technology or implementation, the panelists recognize that many solutions already exist. Still, too few people understand how the system works, let alone how to influence it. <\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Consequently, when Korik asks what it takes for true breakthrough innovation, all the panelists point to the same foundation: <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">people<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Arash Azami describes how Unify. Energy organizes festivals as accelerators for innovation. Precisely such a free environment, with new rules (or the temporary lack thereof), can generate speed and create the right dynamics to achieve breakthroughs. Roel van Diepen adds that people need to take a holistic view and that successful ventures succeed only when the whole ecosystem is considered. You don&#8217;t just build a battery factory; you also need land, permits, customers, and capital. And that capital is far from always there, even when the innovation and demand are clear. Mick also addresses the daring of looking ahead by investing before markets exist. Examples range from startups in rare-earth materials to energy-efficient cloud computing, sectors that are currently in their infancy but will most likely grow, driven by the huge Electricity and materials demand that AI creates. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33d4d1d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"33d4d1d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Challenging bureaucratic obstacles  <\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1774842 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1774842\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mick also sees a cultural challenge: The Netherlands excels in rules, on top of regulations. Sometimes necessary, but too often a brake on entrepreneurship. Roel confirms that many industrial projects therefore shift to other countries, where the conviction and willingness of political leadership is higher. <\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When panelists are asked how we can overcome significant systemic barriers, Europe comes to mind. Arash&#8217;s plea: create a pan-European investment environment that focuses on the desired outcome rather than the process in between. Now, countries make their own rules to manage risk, but in doing so, complexity increases and speed decreases. Roel also sees multi-level integration as inevitable: if Europe is to remain an industrial bloc, energy transition must also be organized across borders. <\/span><\/p><p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">Someone in the audience wonders what our leaders must unlearn to make this possible. <em>&#8220;Prejudices and dogma that we are not aware of,&#8221;<\/em> indicates Arash. According to Arash Azami, we need to distinguish between what is a &#8216;given&#8217; and what is a choice. Phasing out fossil energy is no longer a choice. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f314d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4f314d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/54937003262_bb5d02ef98_b.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-42124\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/54937003262_bb5d02ef98_b.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/54937003262_bb5d02ef98_b-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/54937003262_bb5d02ef98_b-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e199c20 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e199c20\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The hacker mindset  <\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02a0bb0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"02a0bb0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\" lang=\"NL-NL\" xml:lang=\"NL-NL\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Despite difficult-to-influence challenges, a wait-and-see attitude and finger-pointing appeals to no one. <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\">Mick<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\"> emphasizes that change starts with ourselves: <em>&#8220;A stable political environment with clear <\/em><\/span><em><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\">long-term<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\"> visions<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\"> is crucial. It starts in your own country<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\">, and there <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\">you can vote in certain sizes<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\">.&#8221;<\/span><\/em> He further states that we must continue to address our critical selves: <em>&#8220;Be aware, but trade there also on an individual level.&#8221;<\/em><\/span><span class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW104408833 BCX8\"><br class=\"SCXW104408833 BCX8\" \/><\/span><span class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW104408833 BCX8\"> <br class=\"SCXW104408833 BCX8\" \/><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\" lang=\"NL-NL\" xml:lang=\"NL-NL\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\">Azami<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\">also looks at the role<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\">\u00a0of citizens<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\">. <em>&#8220;We are users, and users have a lot more influence than they think.&#8221;<\/em><\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\">He advocates a <\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\" lang=\"NL-NL\" xml:lang=\"NL-NL\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\">hacker&#8217;s <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW104408833 BCX8\">mindset<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\" lang=\"NL-NL\" xml:lang=\"NL-NL\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\">: <em>&#8220;Not waiting for the system to change, but <\/em><\/span><em><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\">themselves <\/span><\/em><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW104408833 BCX8\"><em>put to work.&#8221;<\/em> This can be done, for example, by getting started locally, using storage, shared generation, and collaboration.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49c27e4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"49c27e4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8164ce elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"e8164ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-quote-left\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-902309b e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"902309b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f46b878 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f46b878\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/54938083663_fbf6c99379_b-e1764246448659.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-42130\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-620e238 elementor-blockquote--skin-clean elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"620e238\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\tWe are users, and users hold more influence than they realize.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-q-footer\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<cite class=\"elementor-blockquote__author\">Arash Azami - Unify.energy<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6bf6d99 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6bf6d99\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Hopeful undercurrent  <\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da79d69 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"da79d69\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Toward the end of the conversation, Azami zooms out. He sees an undercurrent of cooperation that extends beyond competition, and that very thing makes him optimistic: <\/span><\/p><p><em>&#8220;We should not only look at the foam on the waves while reading the news, but also look at the undercurrent, that is precisely where a lot of great things are happening.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b04414d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b04414d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"756\" height=\"562\" src=\"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/54938083643_a5665220ce_b.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-42150\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/54938083643_a5665220ce_b.jpg 756w, https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/54938083643_a5665220ce_b-300x223.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 756px) 100vw, 756px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b226df1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b226df1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The panel discussion showed above all how complex the energy transition is, but also how great the scope for innovation and cooperation is. A future with affordable, sustainable, and reliable energy requires a new way of thinking: local and European, technological and social, individual and collective. <\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What became clear: the breakthrough does not start with one technology, company, or government. It begins with their connection. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"e-con-top elementor-element elementor-element-519cee6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"519cee6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"e-con-top elementor-element elementor-element-7d1dae4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7d1dae4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"e-con-top elementor-element elementor-element-263f272 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"263f272\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"e-con-top elementor-element elementor-element-7dcf740 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7dcf740\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"e-con-top elementor-element elementor-element-eb0fd8e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"eb0fd8e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"e-con-top elementor-element elementor-element-19bc2fe e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"19bc2fe\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thomas te Lintelo Consultant Thomas is a passionate and curious team player with a keen interest in sustainability, the energy transition, and the circular economy, sectors to which he wants to contribute positively. Drawing on his diverse experience, he has technical and analytical skills, and, with a pragmatic approach, he focuses on achieving concrete, effective [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":42150,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[63],"tags":[573,722,602,675],"class_list":["post-42407","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inspiration","tag-energie-en","tag-grid-congestion","tag-transitie-en","tag-wtc-40-hrs-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42407"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42407\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42470,"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42407\/revisions\/42470"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42150"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42407"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42407"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nlmtd.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}