The transition from fossil-based resources to more sustainable forms of energy like electricity, heating and cooling, is overdue to best preserve our environment. Therefore, Amsterdam has the ambition to reduce CO2 emission by 55% in 2030 and 95% in 2050. This requires a major transformation of our current energy systems. How can ensure the energy use in urban areas will remain reliable, sustainable and affordable?
Energy is both a social and a technical challenge
Cities depend on their surrounding areas for energy production, because the total amount of required energy cannot be generated within city limits. Amsterdam must explore how to generate reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy at the metropolitan level.
This energy transition is both a technical and social challenge. One of the social challenges is the adjustment or change that need to be made by citizens. This includes for example uncertainty about the costs of sustainable solutions. Technical challenges stem from constraints like Amsterdam being an old city with a historic city center. This thus puts certain constraints on how new infrastructure can be built.
How do we work on the topic of Urban Energy?
AMS Institute complements the initiatives of the city of Amsterdam. It contributes technological and scientific expertise in the field of urban energy and partnerships with energy providers that add the long-term perspective beyond council terms. Researchers have good insight on early-stage developments with potential and on their best fit with the urban energy challenges.
Research projects target different levels for investigation such as interventions at household, building, neighborhood, community, or city and regional level. In addition, research projects also distinguish between different types of energy such as electricity, heating, and cooling. Within the various research projects, there is also a strong focus on the social and societal challenges of the energy transition.
Wider impact
While AMS Institute seeks to improve local or urban energy challenges, the long-term goal is to make an impact beyond its city limits. Ideally, local solutions support the global energy transition by translating findings for other cities, countries and continents.
