Over the past four years, LIFE has explored ways to optimize Amsterdam Southeast's increasingly congested electricity grid. The project has now delivered valuable insights and solutions for a more sustainable energy future.
The power of the collective: faster alone, further together
In a broad collaboration between businesses, governments, and knowledge institutions, the LIFE project has taken a pioneering step in tackling grid congestion in Amsterdam Southeast. By leveraging existing battery capacity—such as that of the Johan Cruijff ArenA—and developing innovative data tools, the project has paved the way for a more efficient use of the electricity grid. These advancements will enable sustainable urban development to continue in the region.
While grid congestion has led to construction halts in many parts of the Netherlands, the LIFE project has identified several strategies to overcome these barriers and support sustainable urban growth.
Grid congestion is a pressing issue both nationally and in Amsterdam Southeast. Many businesses in the area aim to expand sustainably but face limitations due to a lack of grid capacity. Seeking individual solutions is often expensive and inefficient. The LIFE project has demonstrated that a collective approach—utilizing shared resources like the battery capacity at the Johan Cruijff ArenA—can significantly reduce peak energy demand on the local grid. This not only stabilizes the regional power supply but also contributes to the resilience of the national electricity grid.
Data-driven insight for a smarter energy grid
Another key achievement of the LIFE project is the development of a data tool that enables external stakeholders, such as the Municipality of Amsterdam, to better understand the grid's capacity. This allows the municipality to take a more informed approach when collaborating with businesses, helping assess the feasibility of development plans and ensuring they align with sustainability goals.
Key tools developed include:
- Alliander’s Energie Buurtscantool: A detailed platform that helps businesses identify opportunities for collaboration to optimize energy use and prevent grid congestion.
- TU Delft’s Digital Twin Model: A highly accurate simulation of Amsterdam Southeast’s power grid, enabling researchers and policymakers to explore sustainable urbanization strategies.
Engaging local communities
LIFE is committed to ensuring that residents also benefit from and participate in the project. The long-term goal is for everyone to contribute to and reap the rewards of a stable and sustainable electricity grid.
A key initiative is the planned establishment of a local energy cooperative, where residents and businesses can invest in renewable energy solutions such as solar panels. This cooperative model could help alleviate grid congestion and ensure that the financial and environmental benefits of sustainable energy are shared across the community.
A model for the future
The LIFE project has demonstrated that sustainable grid management is possible while actively addressing congestion challenges. Its insights provide a roadmap for other regions facing similar issues to develop tailored solutions for their local energy systems.
Moreover, investing in a smarter electricity grid will allow Amsterdam Southeast to continue growing sustainably—benefiting businesses, the municipality, and residents alike.
Project Partners: Johan Cruijff ArenA, Municipality of Amsterdam, Spectral, AMS Institute, CoForce, TU Delft, Alliander, EnerTrans, Amsterdam Energy ArenA, Hedgehog Applications, Utrecht University, and the Municipality of Rotterdam.
Want to learn more? Visit the LIFE project page: Life ArenAPoort - Energie Lab Zuidoost