Arnhem - DNV KEMA, Liander, TSO TenneT and real estate developer TCN opened the smart grid inspiration and demonstration centre; Watt Connects.

The goal of Watt Connects is to inform businesses, governments and research institutions in an interactive way about intelligent energy networks - also called smart grids - and to connect these parties in an inspiring environment. These intelligent energy networks are essential for our energy future because they make it possible to integrate on large-scale renewable and locally generated electricity. Watt Connects is located on Energy Business Park “Arnhems Buiten” in the electricity city; Arnhem. This initiative is sponsored by the Municipality of Arnhem and funding from the Province of Gelderland. Annemieke Slow, deputy for the Province of Gelderland and responsible for environment, climate, energy, and innovation: "The opening of Watts Connects gives a boost to the numerous initiatives for local power generation in Gelderland and promotes innovation to realise the necessary energy transition! "

"I am proud of this innovative demonstration centre," says Margreet van Gastel, alderman in Arnhem responsible for environment. "Arnhem has always been a city with organisations leading in electricity such as DNV KEMA, Liander and TenneT. With this centre the city of Arnhem justifies that it is the “Electric City” giving explicit attention to the electricity future and the associated innovations. "

According to Frits Verheij, Chairman of the Steering Committee of Watt Connects; “The Netherlands is one of the world’s front runners if it comes to intelligent energy networks, with our knowledge and demonstration capabilities. The creation of Watt Connects is an important step not only to maintain but also to strengthen this position. We are delighted that energy is declared one of the priority sectors by the Dutch government in which smart grids play an important role."

Simulation and demonstration

Watt Connects will support  the development of smaller scale intelligent energy networks by simulating the construction and operation in practical situations of these energy networks, so without major investment and performance risks. In the centre, new technologies, services and applications will be demonstrated and visitors can make use of the simulation tools. Furthermore workshops, lunch-lectures, presentations, and networking events will be organised. In the centre stakeholders can gather experience how their future intelligent and sustainable energy network will behave in practical operation and discover the benefits, such as a better integration of renewable energy, smarter use of energy and a future-proof and cost-effective construction of the energy infrastructure.

Consolidating and strengthening the knowledge and development

Watt Connects strengthens the knowledge and development of their partners on the subject of big interest; “Smart Grids”.  The partners seek explicitly cooperation with others. The centre focuses particularly on people who professionally are engaged with energy, such as local, regional or national authorities, policymakers, experts from energy companies, companies delivering or producing intelligent energy services or products or to make, and students. Watt Connects facilitates and promotes a network for these professionals and it wants to be an incubator for start-ups. Its ambition is to become an international knowledge centre for energy transition.