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GEMS (Green Energy Management Systems for Business Parks)

Program: Interreg North-West EuropeDuration: January 2025 – December 2027ERDF contribution: €3,078,718Total project budget: €5,131,197Lead Partner: Oost NL

Project Details

Business parks account for more than 30% of energy consumption in Northwest Europe and are therefore indispensable to a successful energy transition. Through the Interreg NWE project GEMS (Green Energy Management Systems for Business Parks), 14 European partners at 6 pilot sites are collaborating on innovative solutions that enable business parks to generate, store, share, and use renewable energy more efficiently. <h2>Why is this important?</h2>The shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, is causing a sharp increase in electricity consumption. As a result, the power grid is reaching its limits in more and more places. Businesses are unable to expand or become more sustainable, and the construction of new homes is also stagnating. Without appropriate measures, businesses risk relocating elsewhere.Expanding the power grid takes years and requires major investments. The solution therefore lies not only in expanding the grid, but also in using the available energy more intelligently. With smart Energy Management Systems (EMS), GEMS supports business parks in generating, storing, sharing, and utilizing renewable energy more efficiently. This gives businesses greater control over their energy supply right now, while simultaneously reducing the strain on the power grid. This creates room for further sustainability efforts and sustainable economic growth.<h2>Who is GEMS for?</h2>GEMS focuses on medium-sized business parks with an electricity demand between 1 and 20 MW. The solutions developed are intended for:<ul><li data-list-item-id="e588e771aa981af3699d671cfe1b61557">business parks and park management organizations; </li><li data-list-item-id="e3e880423f0adc28566746af6103aec6b">businesses located in industrial parks; </li><li data-list-item-id="e8dca760f5a1e4a6d6608871f35af45d5">governments and policymakers working on the energy transition.</li></ul><h2>What are the benefits of GEMS? </h2>Within the project, smart, scalable, and financially viable Energy Management Systems are being developed and tested in real-world conditions. Using Digital Twin technology, various energy scenarios are simulated in advance to ensure the systems are optimally tailored to the local situation.The project will deliver:<ul><li data-list-item-id="e0c6383ffe53ab5348809fb92f956b635">4 transferable Energy Management System configurations; </li><li data-list-item-id="e8823578ad44cb70d2cf1352d65530c46">6 field pilots at business parks in five European countries; </li><li data-list-item-id="e2eecb1fe0c8f01738c4c810bdafc90c5">1 joint European approach to smart energy management in business parks; </li><li data-list-item-id="e2dd65ce246220dabd889c4a705e1542e">1 international training program for at least 50 employees of regional development organizations and business support organizations. </li></ul>Once the project is completed, the solutions developed can also be applied to other business parks in Europe. Benefits for businesses:<ul><li data-list-item-id="e027c66f3b6ece4ec4ab6238e541372f0">smarter energy use and reduced peak loads;</li><li data-list-item-id="e10ff6e89e0e6c52d657a14aae629c6ca">lower energy costs through more efficient energy consumption;</li><li data-list-item-id="e6108814180f59f720b8811215a50d8fe">optimal use of locally generated renewable energy;</li><li data-list-item-id="e050c345b047fc5c79ab475f418b4883e">less dependence on an overloaded power grid;</li><li data-list-item-id="ed8d399e7e46018e84f1a141016d15082">more room for sustainable growth.</li></ul>

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The Laarberg Business Park in the eastern Netherlands is one of six European pilot sites within GEMS. Here, an advanced Energy Management System is being developed that allows participating companies to monitor their energy consumption in real time, store locally generated solar energy, and coordinate energy flows among themselves. <blockquote>By joining forces, companies at Laarberg are demonstrating what is possible when you take control of your own energy future. Together, we are not only solving today’s energy problems, but also laying the foundation for a resilient and sustainable Europe.</blockquote>Jeroen Mol, Laarberg Energy Project Leader.

Real-World Example

<h2>Which partners are involved?</h2>GEMS brings together 14 partners from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, and Ireland. Universities, regional development agencies, innovation organizations, and companies are pooling their expertise to develop smart energy management systems that can be widely applied.Project partners• Oost NL• POMOV (Development Agency East Flanders)&nbsp; •&nbsp; Flux50• Ghent University• aBN (agence Bretagne Next) • EO Concept • University of Twente• Area Enterprise Laarberg BV•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Transition Makers • TU Darmstadt• Economic Development Region Kassel GmbH• House of Energy e. v. • University of Galway• Medtronic Mervue&nbsp;<h2>Interested in the project?</h2>The solutions developed within GEMS can be applied to other business parks. In addition, a training program will be launched to enable entrepreneurs and park managers to implement energy management themselves. Interested in the project’s results? Please contact Sem van der Linden.&nbsp;Contact person:&nbsp;Sem van der Linden Energy Project Manager, Oost NL +31 6 48 50 97 46 <a href="mailto:sem.vanderlinden@oostnl.nl">sem.vanderlinden@oostnl.nl</a>&nbsp;<img class="image_resized" style="width:91.07%;" src="https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/Logo_GEMS_26d6a384c1.png?token=w0s_18p7Ju7NshdBznAO1mtxCnNsQH5XLZgatHyuZ4c&amp;expires=1785326613" alt="Logo-GEMS.png" srcset="https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/thumbnail_Logo_GEMS_26d6a384c1.png?token=W1PmFa1kUgJ3cbtb-xwExyEajxWawG3Mm2wzs1AWMwM&amp;expires=1785326613 245w, https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/small_Logo_GEMS_26d6a384c1.png?token=kaQge2pfD3kXq8BjURdQcI_AUYnGtsR_Ogj70NLJZoQ&amp;expires=1785326613 500w, https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/medium_Logo_GEMS_26d6a384c1.png?token=78cfXghfwJAILcdz7u37XZUCSr08CaAtWvVpbaO3YmU&amp;expires=1785326613 750w, https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/large_Logo_GEMS_26d6a384c1.png?token=K5ZCbvKf5ryamTEt25SfurRo9Dr8QZWuRMIGnJ3-mTM&amp;expires=1785326613 1000w" sizes="100vw" width="1000">

GEMS

Through the Interreg North-West Europe project GEMS (Green Energy Management Systems for Business Parks), entrepreneurs, research institutions, and development agencies are collaborating to promote smarter, cleaner, and more affordable energy use in business parks.