The Energy Transition Challenge
The energy transition presents the Netherlands with a massive challenge, both financially and spatially. Estimates indicate a doubling of the number of electricity stations and large-scale excavation work affecting one-third to half of the streets in the next eight years.
For grid operators such as Enexis, Alliander, and Stedin, this means an intensive construction program. The challenge lies in integrating new infrastructure into society and urban spaces in close collaboration with governments and residents. Accurate and up-to-date data on the local situation is essential to accomplish this task as smoothly as possible. Better insight into the surroundings leads to better integration of construction plans and facilitates dialogue with stakeholders.
Successful Collaboration with StellaSpark
In early 2024, Enexis launched a pilot with StellaSpark for the managed procurement of relevant external geodata. StellaSpark’s digital twin service, Nexus, provides access to and updates hundreds of data sources. Enexis contributed to the expansion of these data sources. Following the successful completion of the pilot, the data is now being utilized for spatial planning processes. The diverse data sources include:
- Spatial plans and public law restrictions
- National Nature Network and Aerius nitrogen sensitivity
- Energy labels and wind turbines
- National road network
- TenneT network and Pipelines with hazardous contents
- Water board boundaries and protection zones
A Single Source of Truth
This new approach partially replaces the previously ad hoc downloaded data and introduces new sources. It creates a single reliable source for external georeferenced data, supplying various internal systems and analyst groups within Enexis with crucial information.
Positive Experiences and Future Prospects
Enexis has described its collaboration with StellaSpark as highly positive, thanks to direct communication and swift action. Data engineers linked new data sources to Nexus within weeks, and additional attributes are quickly integrated. The data is easy to process and immediately applicable. Enexis therefore considers StellaSpark a valuable partner in the energy transition and recommends using Nexus for better and more reliable insights into the environment, which are crucial for the successful realization of the energy transition.