Trade-off methodology for locating spatial claimants for the energy transition

Commissioned by the municipality of Arnhem, Iv has developed a new trade-off methodology for determining the most suitable location for the spatial claimants required for the energy transition. The municipality of Arnhem expects that approximately 600 new transformer stations and 300 new Heat Transfer Stations (WOS) will be needed to reinforce the energy network sufficiently. Due to the enormous demand for space in an already fully occupied public space, a trade-off methodology is required to arrive at the most appropriate choice of location for each spatial claimant. Iv has established this method for the municipality and organised several workshops with employees from various disciplines to test and improve the method.

To arrive at an integral trade-off methodology, many disciplines need to be brought together, from public space via cultural history, archaeology, cables and pipes to mobility. One of the challenges was to achieve alignment between all the disciplines. In addition, the placement of a spatial claimant almost always impacts a space negatively, so the challenge is to minimise the negative impact and, where possible, use opportunities to accommodate the spatial claimant in a way that positively contributes to the public space.

The new trade-off methodology significantly accelerates the process of choosing a location for a spatial claimant. The developed checklist clearly identifies the bottlenecks, advantages, and disadvantages of the intended placement locations, meaning that not every discipline needs to be present at every meeting. The trade-off methodology, therefore, significantly contributes to accelerating the energy transition in Arnhem. The methodology also contributes to the spatial quality in Arnhem, as it helps to place the spatial entities in the most suitable location.