GEMS

A cleaner, more reliable and affordable energy supply: that is the aim of GEMS (Green Energy Management Systems for business parks). This European initiative helps entrepreneurs on business parks manage their energy consumption more intelligently.

GEMS focuses on developing and testing energy management systems (EMS) on business parks in five countries: The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France and Ireland. Consider sites with a connection between 1 and 20 MW, where several companies - often SMEs - operate. By fine-tuning their energy consumption to sustainable generation and smart distribution, entrepreneurs can save on costs and contribute to the energy transition.

The bigger goal here is to strengthen European industrial competitiveness by stimulating green growth that allows companies to grow and scale up without weakening their economic position.

Opportunity for entrepreneurs: lower costs and more sustainability

For entrepreneurs, GEMS offers many advantages:

• Smart energy use: with an EMS, companies can better manage peaks in their consumption and avoid waste.
• Access to technology and knowledge: through regional partners, entrepreneurs receive guidance on applying new solutions.
• Less reliance on overloaded grids: by making the best use of locally generated energy, bottlenecks in the electricity grid are reduced.
• Strengthening competitive position: by participating in pilots or using the knowledge from the project, companies can strengthen their competitive position.

Innovation on business parks

The project is supported by universities, regional development agencies and technical experts. In Germany, for example, a pilot is starting at the start-up site FiDT in Kassel. Digital twins of business parks are also being developed: virtual models that allow entrepreneurs to simulate and optimise their energy infrastructure.

‘For business parks with a mix of manufacturing and office space, this is a huge opportunity to map energy losses and make more targeted investments,’ said Prof Dr Peter Birkner of Germany's House of Energy.

Transfer and training

The solutions developed within GEMS are transferable to other business parks. There will also be a training programme that will enable entrepreneurs and park managers to get started with energy management themselves.

Would you like to stay informed about the opportunities GEMS offers Dutch entrepreneurs? Or are you interested in joining with your business park? Then contact Sem van der Linden: sem.vanderlinden@oostnl.nl.