North Sea as an Energy Region
The North Sea plays an important role in the energy transition for both the Netherlands and Western Europe. The growing importance of the North Sea as an energy region is reflected in the development of several national and international research and innovation programs and agendas in this area.
In the last few years, several important developments with regards to energy in the North Sea can be discerned, for example:
- the large-scale development of offshore sustainable energy production, in particular offshore wind capacity;
- changes in terms of conversion, transport, potential storage, and the landing of offshore generated energy;
- the re-use and decommissioning of oil- and gas platforms.
Large-scale energy production in the North Sea poses a substantial number of social, economic and legal challenges that go beyond the boundaries of the North Sea, which means they have a direct impact on the land and extend across national borders. Because of this, a system approach is required, similar to New Energy Coalition’s approach. Specifically, these challenges require an analysis of interactions and relationships between different:
- forms of offshore energy production;
- technologies;
- Sectors;
- ecosystems;
- scales.
Through this approach we will conduct research into feasible transition paths towards a balanced and integrated energy system in the North Sea.
Below you can see an overview of the several meetings that took place in order to complete the research agenda on the topic North Sea as an Energy Region.