Expert profile: Dr. Marten van der Laan
Dr. Marten van der Laan is an experienced energy professional and expert in renewable energy, distributed energy resources, smart grids, demand-side management, and energy communities. He has participated in the USEF Foundation, focusing on demand-side flexibility market organization across Europe. With a background in information technology, consumer electronics, and research spanning over 20 years, he is currently a professor in system integration, conducting research on hybrid energy systems, conversion and storage, flexibility, the heat transition, and the role of energy communities. Dr. van der Laan is also involved in the H2020 Making City project, establishing PED districts in Groningen.
PED Expertise
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Definition of PEDs: Dr. van der Laan focuses on system boundaries, where local energy systems interact with those at higher levels and scales. He highlights how local balancing can positively impact energy infrastructure, supported by energy regulations such as incentives, tax schemes, P2P markets, and flexibility markets.
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Mapping of PEDs: He works on developing clear models to reveal local energy demand and generation profiles using open data and smart meter data. These models help determine local energy balances, transport, and storage needs for all commodities, including electricity, gases, and heat.
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PED Toolbox: Dr. van der Laan has developed energy tariff schemes, incentive schemes, and flexibility markets. He has also worked on establishing KPIs for local balance, utilization of flexibility, and energy generation, conversion, and infrastructure.
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Explication of PEDs: The ongoing research in the Making City project, focused on scaling up from PEDs to a city approach, provides valuable insights. Lessons learned from this project can be directly applied to other areas.
Expert profile: Dr. David Maya-Drysdale
Dr. David Maya-Drysdale specializes in energy system analysis for 100% renewable energy at the national level, focusing on integrating electricity, heating & cooling, transport, and industry within Smart Energy Systems. He works on local energy planning development and integrating energy scenarios into urban planning processes, bridging technical energy data and institutional planning. Dr. Maya-Drysdale is currently involved in the H2020 Seenergies project, assessing the "energy efficiency first" principle for each European country from a smart energy system perspective.
PED Expertise
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Definition of PEDs: Dr. Maya-Drysdale emphasizes the system boundaries of PEDs and their integration into regional and national energy systems. He highlights the implications for urban planning requirements and the role of local energy policy, which can be informed by the interplay and balancing of the energy system through flexibility.
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PED Toolbox: He has developed tools for technical energy system balancing and addressing urban governance issues. Dr. Maya-Drysdale also works with both quantitative and qualitative KPIs for assessing energy system feasibility at various scales.