From the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) there are two research groups active in the MEGAMIND Programme: The Electrical Energy Systems (EES) group at the Electrical Engineering department and the Data Mining (DM) group at the department of Mathematics and Computer Science. The EES group serves as a hub in the program, as this group has prior collaborations with all other research partners, either formally or informally. Further, this group has strong ties with relevant sector partners as employees of four of the project’s sector partners serve as part-time staff in this group. EES has a long-standing track record in intelligent systems for smart grids, an interdisciplinary subject in itself. The DM group brings in advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning knowledge into the programme.

The Decentralized Energy Management group of the University of Twente (UT) is an interdisciplinary research group consisting of researchers with backgrounds in Mathematics, Computer Science/Embedded Systems and Electrical Engineering. Research focus is on energy management for smart grids. Current research directions include the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence in smart grids, distributed coordination, and cyber-security of smart grids.

The Intelligent Electrical Power Grid (IEPG) Section and Delft AI Energy Lab of the Electrical Sustainable Energy Department perform research to speed-up the energy transition. The goal is to generate, transmit, distribute, and adaptively manage the deployment of electrical energy in a highly reliable, efficient, stable, clean, affordable, and safe way. IEPG contributes with expertise and development of advanced concepts and tools for intelligent and effective stability assessment of variable operating conditions affecting the coordination between electric transmission and distribution systems. The Delft AI Energy Lab contributes to the MEGAMIND Programme with expertise in data processing, advanced analysis, and the corresponding machine learning of models for the dynamic real-time operation of transmission and distribution systems.

The Tilburg Institute of Law Technology and Society (TILT) is among the leading European research institutes in the area of technology regulation. TILT’s expertise covers wide-ranging domains, technologies, and topics and a key feature of TILT’s research programme is the mutual shaping of regulation, technology, and normative outlooks. In the most recent five-year research assessment, the Institute received 4.75 out of 5, ranking second (with seven others) out of 60 Dutch research programmes. Tilburg Law School was assessed the best Dutch law faculty, averaging 4.47 out of 5. TILT’s research is mainly performed within large international (EU-funded) and national projects (publicly-privately funded or funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research – NWO).

The Energy Transition Studies group of the Energy Transition Unit of TNO focuses on the political, economic, and social aspects of energy technology implementation. it possesses a broad range of different modelling tools, mostly developed in-house. These include e.g. simulation, optimization, and management models. Its NL and EU models cover electricity markets, renewables, power generation, and fossil fuels, and enable investigating a broad range of scenarios and policy instruments, among which GHG emissions trading. The Energy Transition Unit of TNO has two missions: to accelerate the energy transition and to strengthen the competitive position of the Netherlands. TNO Energy Transition conducts independent and internationally leading research and stands for an agenda-setting, initiating and supporting role for government, industry and NGOs.

Enexis Holding N.V. is an organization of almost 4,500 motivated employees that is dedicated to the reliability and affordability of the energy distribution systems and to the future of our energy supply. Through distribution system operator Enexis Netbeheer, by far the biggest subsidiary of the Enexis Holding, they distribute electricity and natural gas to customers in the Dutch provinces of Groningen, Drenthe, Overijssel, North Brabant and Limburg. Enexis Holding is responsible for constructing, servicing, developing and operating the electricity and gas distribution grids in these regions. Enexis Holding encourages, coordinates, facilitates, and finances initiatives, working partnerships, innovative strength and knowledge in order to drive forward a sustainable energy transition.

Enexis’ interest in the MEGAMIND Programme lies in the research on the potential and application of digital technologies for (automated) distribution management. Furthermore, since data is becoming a more instrumental resource for systems operation, they regard research on data governance and its regulatory aspects as increasingly relevant for their business.

Liander stands for an energy supply that gives everyone equal access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy. That is what Liander is working on every day. By continuously improving their network, Liander is preparing ourselves for the future. A future in which everyone can use, produce and share sustainable energy.

Alliander develops and manages energy networks. Over three million Dutch households and businesses receive electricity, gas and heat through their cables and pipelines. Alliander manages more than 90,000 km of electricity and 40,000 km of gas networks and is proud that their networks are among the most reliable in the world. 7,000 Liander employees ensure that the lights are on, the houses are warm and the businesses are running. Alliander does this out of the social interest of keeping energy reliable, affordable and accessible for everyone.

Alliander’s main interest is in research on decentral autonomous distribution grid control. Furthermore, Alliander regards research regulatory and privacy aspects of data and cyber security increasingly relevant in their business. Alliander expects the project will result in knowledge they could use to improve the operation of their networks by means of applying smart methodologies and control algorithms.

More than 2.3 million private and business customers rely on Stedin Group for their energy supply, day and night. Stedin manages and maintains the energy grids in a large part of the Randstad conurbation as well as the provinces of Utrecht and Zeeland. Their service area is home to roughly 5.5 million people and covers three of the four largest cities in the Netherlands, the Port of Rotterdam and the Port of Zeeland, as well as large industrial and greenhouse horticulture regions. Parts of the provinces of North Holland and Friesland also fall within this area.

Stedin’s customers are increasingly generating sustainable energy themselves, which they return to their electricity grid. As a result, we are all part of a far-reaching societal shift to a clean economy based on renewable sources.

Stedin Group is a public organisation whose shares are held by 44 municipalities. Stedin carries out regulated activities as a grid manager, and also performs a number of nonregulated activities closely related to the energy infrastructure as a group. Stedin Group operates and has its registered office in the Netherlands.

TenneT designs, develops, and operates the electricity transmission systems in The Netherlands and part of Germany, connecting the North Sea with the Alpes. TenneT has a clear vision on modular design of future grid and brings in knowledge and experiences on reliable grid operation, DSO-TSO coordination, integration of (renewable) power sources, and techno-economic design of (multi-)energy markets. TenneT joined the MEGAMIND programme to co-create with stakeholders new solutions to safeguard the reliable grid operation by increasing utilisation of the grid flexibility. TenneT’s main aim is to improve estimation and prediction of the available grid power reserve in the long to short time frames by closer DSO-TSO cooperation and interaction, both operationally and technically.

Through innovation that matters, IBM changes how the world works. IBM employs over 282,000 IBMers, serving clients in 175 countries.

With over 3000 researchers in 12 labs, IBM Research is pioneering the most promising and disruptive technologies that will transform industries and society, including the future of AI, blockchain and quantum computing.

With over 140.000 consultants, IBM Consulting brings comprehensive capabilities across both business and technology transformation to apply these technologies.

In MEGAMIND, IBM Consulting brings the capacity to inject business knowledge, regulatory development insights and experience, together with their IT expertise on applying Data Analytics, AI, Edge computing and Hybrid cloud. Together they create new ecosystems and markets around decentralized energy systems leveraging these technological developments and data.

Smart State Technology provides advanced measurement-, control- and technological solutions for grid monitoring and handling net congestion challenges. Their LV Sensors generate highly synchronized high-resolution measurements. With the OpenPlatform, innovative smart grid algorithms and applications can be easily analysed, simulated, and developed. Such algorithms can be used to measure and control a large fleet of distributed DER. Typical examples are advanced power quality algorithms, real-time state estimation using synchro phasors, and research on innovative protection algorithms such as setting-less protection. The real-time and collected historical measurements from multiple locations provide accurate insight into the dynamics of the grid. The developed solutions were used in Dutch subsidized projects ORTEP and FairPlay, H2020 United-Grid and future research projects. The sensors, OpenPlatform, and historical as well as real-time data will be used within the MEGAMIND Programme.

The energy transition demands cooperation between parties from the public and private sector, start-ups, scale-ups and well-established names. PwC has oversight over this entire field and can bring you into contact with relevant partners, even across sectoral and national borders. PwC contributes with their knowledge of the energy sector and data analytics to this programme in order to develop the necessary technology and the appropriate regulations, and in doing so help take concrete steps to achieve the climate agreement goals.

Smart use of energy is crucial in making mobility more sustainable. Transdev (Connexion Netherlands B.V.) is focused on the use and development of smart, efficient, zero emission and circular E-mobility through the operation of zero emission vehicles and related charging infrastructure. They will bring in user requirements and dynamics of 24/7 public transportation operations at the end of the grid on a low-voltage level. Because of their competitive market exposure and collection of consumer data, they also face GDPR data constraints. With MEGAMIND, Transdev takes responsibility as a leading mobility company to contribute to a smarter interpretation of the challenges the mobility sector faces on its way to zero emission.

Equans is the new name for the energy services organisation of ENGIE. Equans is active in 17 countries and has 5.500 employees in The Netherlands. As an energy services supplier the company is highly involved in the realization of grid reinforcements and developing various smart grid solutions. Next to that, Equans supplies businesses and industries with solutions for their sustainability goals as well as providing grid congestion solutions.