SGRESmart Grid and Renewable Energy2151-481XScientific Research Publishing10.4236/sgre.2016.71001SGRE-62847ArticlesEarth&Environmental Sciences Engineering Insights from Stakeholders of Five Residential Smart Grid Pilot Projects in the Netherlands chechiObinna1PeterJoore2LindaWauben3AngeleReinders4Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam, The NetherlandsDelft University of Technology, Delft, The NetherlandsNHL University of Applied Sciences, Leeuwarden, The NetherlandsUniversity of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands1901201607011158 November 2015accepted 16 January 19 January 2016© Copyright 2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. 2014This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This paper presents insights and perceptions of stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of residential smart grid pilot projects in the Netherlands, adding to the limited information that is currently available in this area, while expectations about the potential benefits of smart grids are high. The main research questions of this study are: (1) How have some typical residential smart grid pilots in the Netherlands been set up? (2) Which stakeholders are involved in these pilots in the year 2014? (3) What are their views and perceptions with regards to the development and performance of residential smart grids? and (4) What do these stakeholders think about the products and services that may support an active participation of end-users in a smart energy home? To obtain information, we evaluated five residential smart grid pilot projects where smart energy products and services have been implemented. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine stakeholders involved in these projects. The Strategic Niche management framework was used to identify the present state of development and implementation of smart grid pilots. Our study shows that in the Netherlands residential smart grid pilots have been set-up and funded mainly by the government and grid operators. Other stakeholders involved include energy suppliers, end-users (as an energy cooperative or individual household), product and service suppliers, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies, and knowledge institutes. Currently a technology-push approach exists which barely includes an integrated approach towards smart grids products and services development. To the opinion of the interviewed stakeholders, current products and services offered in residential smart grid pilots are functionally attractive, but often too technically complex for the understanding of end-users. Hence, the general view held by respondents is that end-users should be the starting point in the development of smart grid products and services at the residential areas.

Smart Grid Strategic Niche Management Products and Services Stakeholders Residential Areas End-User1. Introduction

Our energy provision system is changing by a continued increase in energy demand, scarcity of fossil fuels and calls for climate change mitigation [1] . At the moment a transition is taking place from centralized electricity generation, to more decentralized and flexible electricity generation mainly based on renewable energy sources [2] [3] . Smart grids are considered a promising solution that will support this paradigm shift, and a key to demand and supply-side management of energy systems [4] [5] .

In the last few years, smart grid initiatives with various aims and results have been growing in number and scope all over Europe [6] - [9] . In 2014, there have been about 250 smart grid pilot and demonstration projects in Europe [9] . In the Netherlands, an increase in the number of smart grid pilot projects has been witnessed since 2008. Currently, there are about 30 Dutch pilot projects being carried out [6] [10] . More than half of these projects are taking place at the low voltage residential areas [10] . It is assumed that this focus is as a result of increased small-scale distributed energy systems in and around homes and neighborhoods, which are expected to become a common feature in future electricity systems. In this regard, end-users are expected to become important actors in sustainable energy management [2] [4] [11] .

Smart grids development has resulted in various new energy-related products and services, such as smart meters, smart appliances, micro-generators, storage systems, and energy monitoring and control systems [12] . However, information about the implementation and use of smart energy products and services in smart grid pilots is lacking.

With this study we would therefore like to collect more information from the field regarding the development and implementation smart grid pilots and related products and services.

The main research questions of this study are therefore: (1) How have some typical residential smart grid pilots in the Netherlands been set up? (2) Which stakeholders are involved in these pilots in the year 2014? (3) What are their views and perceptions with regards to the development and performance of residential smart grids? and (4) What do these stakeholders think about products and services that may support an active participation of end-users in a smart energy home?

We have chosen to explore these questions because smart energy products and services are currently being implemented in residential smart grid initiatives, with the expectation that it will support households to improve their energy efficiency, contribute to a more sustainable energy production, and take part in the management of the electricity system [12] [13] .

With regards to these products and services, evaluative reports on smart grid developments have highlighted the importance of products and services that meet end-users’ needs [4] [7] . We therefore assume that in addition to the development of technological products, emphasis was placed on how these technologies are adapted and domesticated by end-users.

Whilst the views and perceptions of end-users participating in smart grid initiatives have been the basis for these insights, there are still limited insights and reflection from other stakeholders (e.g. grid operators, smart grid project developers and managers, local energy cooperatives) involved in the development and implementation of these initiatives. This will be significant information because these stakeholders have a major influence on the set-up of new smart grid pilots and the selection of smart energy products used in these pilots. Therefore, insights from stakeholders from residential smart grid initiatives could support future implementation, and could also help to generate ideas for future development of smart grid related products and services that match end- user expectations. It could add to the limited knowledge and experience in practice from smart grid initiatives, which are considered a first step in large-scale implementation of smart grids [4] [8] .

To explore our research questions this paper is structured as follows. Section 2 discusses the theoretical and methodological part of our research, including a brief description of the smart grid initiatives where the interviewees have been involved in. Next, the outcome of the stakeholder interviews will be presented in Section 3, followed by discussion and conclusions in Section 4.

2. Research Method2.1. Methodology

This research draws upon the theoretical framework of Strategic Niche management (SNM). SNM assumes that promising new sustainable technologies can be promoted by actively shaping technological niches, i.e. protected spaces that allow experimentation with the co-evolution of technology, user practices, and regulatory structures [14] [15] . SNM focuses on processes that are internal to the niche development, and is useful for generating learning about needs, technology imperfections and strategies to overcome these [15] [16] .

SNM has identified three interrelated processes that are important for the successful development of innovations. These include: articulation of expectations and visions, building of social networks, learning processes [15] [17] [18] .

Articulation of expectations and visions, relate to how niches are presented to the public and whether they live up to the promises they make about performance and effectiveness. Expectations provide direction to the technology development, influence design choices, and attract resources as well as new actors. It ensures that outsiders are not excluded from the transition experiment [15] .

Building of social networks focuses on the composition of the network and alignment of the actors within it in order to assess their influence on the development of the niche [19] . This process is considered successful when the network is broad, including complementary technologies and infrastructure, and a wide range of representative actors or potential adopters [20] [21] .

Learning processes is considered an important issue with regards to the introduction of new technologies. Learning from stakeholders in practice facilitates adjustments in technology and social embedding to increase chances on successful diffusion [15] .

Learning processes involve “First-order” and “second-order” learning. “First-order” learning involves lessons about projects and experiences and improving performance.

Second-order learning emphasizes that learning for innovations should extend from technology development to testing actual changes in user practices [15] [22] .

Smart grid initiatives, which aim to facilitate sustainable transition to a low carbon electricity regime, qualify as a “niche”, and hence can be analyzed using SNM [23] .

With regards to smart grids development, the first process in the SNM framework, articulation of expectations and visions has been applied to analyze practices and perceptions of smart grid stakeholders on including users in smart grids experiments in the Netherlands [23] .

In this study, we will explore and evaluate building of social networks and learning processes in residential smart grids.

2.2. Study Design

The Netherlands was chosen as a location for this research since it provides a growing number of smart grid pilot and demonstration projects.

This study used a qualitative approach and is explorative in nature. It is based on semi-structured face-to-face interviews with nine stakeholders involved in the set-up and implementation of five different Dutch residential smart grid pilot projects (see Table 1). The semi-structured interviews were used because smart grids are still are the early developmental stages, hence the need to get more insights from stakeholders involved in the development. The open and informal style of semi-structured interviews supported the respondents to express their views and opinions in their own terms, while also having the flexibility to provide more details when required. It also allowed the drafting of topics that served as a guideline in exploring the views of the stakeholders.

From the about 30 smart grid pilot projects taking place in the Netherlands in 2014 [10] , we selected those pilot projects that incorporate social (user aspects) in their implementation, and have implemented almost the same kind of products and services. Another important consideration in selecting these pilot projects was the ease of getting access to the stakeholders, and the willingness of the stakeholders to participate in the interviews.

List of stakeholders interviewed
StakeholderRole of StakeholderProject
1. ConsultantProject management/Energy consultancyPowerMatching City I and II Groningen
2. Project leaderProject management/Energy consultancyPowerMatching City I and II Groningen
3. Project developerProject managementPowerMatching City I and II Groningen
4. ParticipantEnd-userPowerMatching City I and II Groningen
5. Reseacher/developerGrid operatorYour Energy Moment Breda and Zwolle
6. Technical project leaderProject managementReturns for Everybody Amersfoort and Utrecht
7. Project coordinatorLocal energy cooperativeCloud Power Texel
8. Project leaderLocal energy cooperativeSmart Grids Lochem
9. Project managerGrid operatorSmart Grids Lochem

The stakeholder selection process started with the consultation of known experts in the field of smart grids. Further stakeholders were found using “snow-balling” as a method. This resulted in about twenty (20) stakeholders from eight smart grid projects in the Netherlands, who were subsequently contacted by phone to take part in the interviews. In the end, nine stakeholders, from five different projects agreed to take part in the interviews. The stakeholders interviewed in this study (n = 9) can be considered to be statistically low. This is due to the fact that there are currently not a lot of people working in the area of smart grids development at the residential areas. Also, smart grids are not commercially installed or implemented yet. Therefore, we consider the sample size, which represents about 50 percent of the smart grid stakeholders, as being quite representative.

Emails were thereafter sent to the respondents to provide more details about the objectives of the study and to schedule appointments for the interviews. The interviews were subsequently conducted individually with the stakeholders, at the locations of the pilot projects and consisted mainly of open-ended questions. The interviews took place between May and September 2014, and lasted between 1 and 1.5 hours.

The five smart grid pilot projects selected included:

1) The “PowerMatching City” project (phases I and II) in Groningen;

2) “Your Energy Moment” projects in Breda and Zwolle;

3) “Cloud Power Texel” project in Texel;

4) “Returns for Everybody” projects in Amersfoort and Utrecht;

5) “Smart Grids Lochem” project in Lochem.

The research in each of the pilot projects is different in terms of the technologies, involvement of end-users and research questions and approaches. However, the aim of this study is however not to compare these projects, but to gather insights from a broader range of stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of residential smart grid initiatives.

The selected smart grid pilot projects are described in more details below. Table 2 provides a summary of the selected projects and Figure 1 shows the locations of the various projects in the Netherlands.

2.1.1. PowerMatching City I and II in Groningen

This smart grid pilot project is one of the first projects where smart energy technologies were implemented in homes connected through a smart grid [24] [25] . DNV GL (a Dutch Energy Consultancy company), together with five other project partners (Enexis, Essent, Gas union, ICT automation, TNO research institute) and three knowledge institutes (Hanze polytechnic Groningen, Delft University of Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology), run the project. The project focused on attaining optimum capacity management in a smart grid, and matching energy services with the demands and wishes of end-users [26] .

The project was carried out in two phases. Phase one started in 2007 with the realization of a local smart grid with 22 homes. An additional 18 homes were added in 2011 to bring the total number of homes to 40. The homes were equipped with a micro-cogeneration unit, a hybrid heat pump and hot water tanks, smart appliances such as smart dishwashers and washing machines, and in-home displays (Energy monitor). Also, the homes generated energy through solar photovoltaics installed on their roofs and the roof of other partners. An agent- based algorithm called the ‘Power Matcher’ manages the energy flows in the local smart grid. This controls the

Summary of the smart grid pilot projects included
ProjectTechnologies usedNumber of homesTimelineStakeholders
1) PowerMatching City I and II GroningenElectric vehicles, hybrid heat pumps, in-home energy displays, PowerMatcher software, photovoltaic systems, smart meters and appliances (washing machine, freezer, dishwasher), smart thermostats, micro-combined heat and power (CHP) systems, wind turbine, mini gas turbines, electricity storage, automated meter reading402007-2015Grid operator, knowledge institutes, energy consulting company, ICT software company, gas company, service provider, energy supplier, individual end-users
2,3) Your Energy Moment Zwolle and BredaSmart grid, photovoltaic systems, smart appliances (washing machines, dryers)2502012-2015Grid operator, knowledge institute, product and service suppliers, housing company, energy supplier, local energy cooperative (end-users)
4,5) Returns for Everybody Amersfoort and UtrechtHeat pumps, electric vehicles, in-home electricity storage2002012-2015Grid operator, knowledge institutes, product and service suppliers, sustainable energy supplier, local energy cooperative (end-users)
6) Cloud Power TexelSmart meters, cloud power (energy matching software), wind turbines, photovoltaic systems3002012-2014Grid operator, project developer, ICT company, product and service supplier, sustainable energy supplier, local energy cooperative (end-users)
7) Smart Grids LochemPhotovoltaic systems, electric vehicles, smart meters1302012-2015Grid operator, knowledge institute, product and service suppliers, energy supplier, sustainable energy supplier, local energy cooperative (end-users)

switching on and off of smart appliances, heat pumps, and micro-cogeneration units based on market mechanisms and user settings.

PowerMatching City phase one was finalized in 2011, while phase two finished in 2014. A detailed of PowerMatching City is described by [24] .

2.1.2. Your Energy Moment in Zwolle and Breda

This smart grid pilot project [27] is run by Enexis (a Dutch major utility company). Other partners in the project include housing corporation SWZ (Samenwerkende Woon-en Zorgvoorzieningen in Dutch), Dong Energy (energy supplier), Consultants to Government and Industry (CGI) Logica (Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Company), Flexicontrol (product and service supplier) and a knowledge institute (Eindhoven University of Technology). The Your Energy Moment project focuses on acquiring more experience with technical, economic and social options for creating flexibility and increased sustainability in the energy consumption of consumers, in a realistic and practical environment. The participants in the pilot project also receive dynamic prices. The objective is to investigate if households are able and willing to adapt their demand to times on which supply is abundant.

It consists of 250 homes equipped with a smart grid, solar panels, home energy management systems, smart washing machines and dryers. The pilot in Zwolle started in 2012 and consists of 100 homes. The pilot in Breda started in 2013 and consists of 150 homes. Both projects of Your Energy Moment will run till 2015.

2.1.3. Returns for Everybody in Amersfoort and Utrecht

This smart grid pilot project, known as “Rendement Voor Iedereen” in Dutch, is sponsored by the province of Utrecht, and the municipalities of Utrecht and Amersfoort [28] . Other partners involved in this project include Stedin (grid operator), DNV GL, Capgemini (product and service supplier), knowledge institutes (Universities of Groningen and Utrecht, Utrecht polytechnic), Ecofys (renewable energy supplier), Lomboxnet (ICT company),

Location of smart grid pilots in the Netherlands

Eemflow (local energy cooperative), Icasus (citizen’s initiative), and innovation taskforce Utrecht region [28] . Returns for everybody develops and tests various new smart grid services related to the future electricity network. It consists of 100 homes in Amersfoort and Utrecht, where eight new smart grid service concepts are being developed and tested. These services focus on energy savings and optimal use of locally produced solar energy. The homes consist of an energy management system, solar photovoltaics, and smart meters. Both pilots of Returns for Everybody were carried out between 2012 and 2014.

2.1.4. Cloud Power Texel in Texel

Cloud Power Texel is a bottom-up experiment initiated by a community of energy users that individually and collectively try to make their energy use more sustainable and be energy independent with renewable energy sources [23] . It was started by TexelEnergie (a local energy cooperative with more than 3000 members [29] and two other partners, Alliander (grid operator) and Capgemini (product and service supplier). The Cloud Power Texel smart grid pilot project explores how a community can provide its own energy needs, by stimulating energy efficiency and behavioural change. The project was carried out in Texel (an island in the Netherlands) and included 300 homes [30] . Technologies implemented in this project include smart meters, an in-home energy display called “Kiek” that gives insight in energy use and generation, home energy management systems and distributed generation units connected to the grid. The Cloud Power Texel project was carried out between 2012 and 2014.

2.1.5. Smart Grids Lochem in Lochem

Smart Grids Lochem is a bottom-up initiative set up by a local energy cooperative, LochemEnergie. Other partners involved in this smart grid pilot project include Locamation and Eaton industries (product and service suppliers), Alliander (grid operator) and University of Twente. This project takes place in an existing residential area, where participants (members of the local energy cooperative) are equipped with a smart meter called “Mpare”, solar photovoltaics on their own roofs and roofs of other public buildings [31] . Smart Grids Lochem explores how to involve and stimulate residential end-users to reduce their energy consumption, make use of renewable energy, and help in aligning energy demand and supply. Also, experimenting with electric vehicle (load technics and behaviour) is part of this project. The Smart Grids Lochem project started in 2011 and will be completed in 2015.

2.2. Interviews

The questions for the interviews were grouped into three main themes. These include:

1) Stakeholders’ involvement in the project’s preparation phase;

2) Stakeholders’ perception of products and services for smart grid pilots;

3) Requirements for future products and service development.

2.2.1 Theme 1. Stakeholders’ Involvement in the Project’s Preparation Phase

The questions under this theme mainly focused on identification of stakeholders involved in the development of residential smart grid pilot projects:

・ their respective roles in the realization of the projects;

・ the estimated costs of setting up the projects and the funding sources;

・ the major expenditures involved;

・ the stakeholder considered the most important in the realization of residential smart grid projects.

2.2.2. Theme 2. Stakeholders’ Perception of Products and Services for Smart Grid Pilots

The questions under this theme mainly focused on exploring current products and services offered in the projects, and the perception of smart grid stakeholders on:

・ the current approaches used in developing these products and services;

・ the performance of smart grid products and services;

・ the role of various stakeholders (including end-users) in the development process.

2.2.3. Theme 3. Requirements for Future Products and Service Development

The questions under this theme mainly focused on exploring stakeholders’ views on potential smart grid products and services:

・ the functions these products and services are expected to perform;

・ current and future demands with regards to product and service development for residential smart grids.

2.3. Data Analysis

The data gathered from the interviews was analyzed manually. First the interviews were digitally recorded using a voice recorder and were transcribed verbatim as a word document. Then, the main views and perspectives were identified and discussed with the authors. After consensus, these main views and perspectives became the basis for further analysis.

Validation of the information by respondents is an important aspect of ensuring the accuracy of data collected through unstructured interviews [32] . In order to increase completeness and reduce inconsistencies, the results of this study were checked by two of the respondents (a grid operator and a project manager of a local energy cooperative). These respondents provided useful comments to refine the results.

 3. Results

This study explored the views and perceptions of nine stakeholders involved in residential smart grid pilot projects, with regards to the implementation of these projects and the development and performance of products and services. The following section presents the findings from the interviews. An overview of the findings is presented in Table 3.

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