Discover how behavioural change can help shape tomorrow’s energy system
At TNO, accelerating the energy transition is not only about developing technological solutions such as green hydrogen or energy storage. The way people live their lives is equally important for achieving climate goals. That is why our behavioural scientists continuously investigate, from a human-centred perspective, how lifestyle changes can contribute to the transition and how such changes can be effectively encouraged. By combining expertise from different disciplines, we work towards a resilient society and an affordable energy transition for everyone.
International research shows that behavioural change, sustainable transport and more efficient use of appliances can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by several tens of per cent. This highlights the significant climate benefits that can be achieved. Consuming less and consuming differently not only reduces emissions but also lowers demand for raw materials and resources. A double benefit.
We seek answers to questions that help policymakers encourage more conscious energy use. While our technical experts focus on decarbonising the supply side of the energy transition – such as solar and wind energy, hydrogen and energy storage – our behavioural research focuses on the demand side. In addition to government measures, role models, better information and public engagement are essential for increasing support for policy measures. Above all, system change is needed to enable different behaviours, with consumers and businesses taking ownership of the transition.
Putting human behaviour at the centre
All our research focuses on people’s behaviour: what motivates them and what barriers they encounter when adopting more sustainable practices. What makes TNO unique is the close collaboration between our behavioural scientists and experts in energy, ICT, economics, the built environment, mobility and other disciplines. This ensures that our research is always viewed in a broader context. Working together with governments, businesses and societal organisations enables us to develop interventions that are scientifically substantiated, practical and scalable.
Who we work for:
- Government: Ministries, Provinces, Local Authorities, Municipalities, European Commission
- Business: Energy companies, SMEs, Manufacturers, Trade associations, Business organisations
- Societal organisations: Network operators, Housing associations, Energy communities
Energy poverty research programme
TNO continuously explores emerging developments that can provide new perspectives for policymakers and businesses. For many years, we have conducted research into energy poverty, recognising that many households struggle to pay their energy bills, let alone invest in home insulation or heat pumps. Increasing opportunities for households to make their homes more energy efficient is essential to structurally reduce energy consumption and vulnerability.
TNO initiated the National Energy Poverty Research Programme together with ministries, provinces, municipalities, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and Statistics Netherlands (CBS). The programme aimed to provide detailed insight into where energy poverty occurs, its scale and how households can best be supported in reducing energy consumption.
To monitor energy poverty on an ongoing basis, the ministries of KGG, VRO and SZW, together with TNO and RVO, established the National Energy Poverty Observatory (NEO). Energy poverty should not become a barrier to the energy transition.
An inclusive and just energy transition
We are developing a similar programme in the field of energy justice. Energy justice seeks to ensure the fairest possible distribution of the costs and benefits associated with achieving climate goals. It is essential for maintaining public support for the energy transition.
Questions of justice include: Who bears the consequences of policy measures? Who participates in decision-making? Whose concerns are recognised and reflected in policy?
We support governments in identifying fair policy choices and embedding these in policymaking. Our analyses help policymakers translate the principles of a just energy transition into practice.
A successful energy transition depends on public support, which can only be achieved by actively involving people in policy development and implementation. This is why we conduct extensive research into citizen participation. We have provided ministries, municipalities and other stakeholders with new insights and recommendations for policies that take local needs and interests into account.
Together with partners, we developed the BuurtWarmteWijzer, an approach that helps municipalities engage residents in the heat transition.
A widely proposed solution to pressures on the electricity grid, known as grid congestion, is grid reinforcement. However, this requires significant time and investment. TNO research shows that the grid can often be relieved more effectively and cost-efficiently through demand-side management and consumer flexibility. This reduces grid loads, improves the utilisation of locally generated renewable energy and lowers vulnerability to price and geopolitical shocks.
Consumers themselves have an important role to play, for example by participating in flexibility services. This includes making more effective use of solar panels, home batteries, heat pumps and electric vehicle charging. TNO research shows that more than 80 per cent of consumers are willing to do so.
Local and regional energy communities, long a focus of TNO research and now formally recognised in legislation, are becoming important players in the energy system. These initiatives bring citizens together to actively contribute to the energy transition. The Netherlands already has around 700 energy cooperatives and at least 1,000 community initiatives.
These initiatives generate and supply renewable energy locally, helping to reduce pressure on the electricity grid. Local cooperatives not only increase renewable energy production but also strengthen social cohesion and quality of life within communities. These two outcomes reinforce one another.
SMEs can collaborate in a similar way to reduce emissions and ease pressure on the electricity grid. We have investigated the potential of energy hubs on business parks. By coordinating energy generation, storage and consumption, and by making agreements with network operators and energy suppliers, substantial benefits can be achieved.
Through the National Grid Congestion Action Plan, we work with governments and market parties on solutions to grid congestion. In a consortium with universities and industry partners, we are developing smart flexibility services for the built environment (GO-e).
For hospitality SMEs operating from rented premises with poor energy performance ratings, sustainability improvements can be particularly challenging. We have investigated which policy measures can help overcome these barriers.
Climate policy often focuses on companies’ direct emissions, while indirect emissions throughout the value chain can account for a significant share of total emissions. However, businesses have several opportunities to influence these so-called Scope 3 emissions. These options are explored in our study Options for Scope 3 Policy in the Netherlands.
TNO supports governments in developing an inclusive energy transition. We provide research that helps reduce energy vulnerability and strengthen resilience to price-related and geopolitical shocks. By combining socio-economic insights with technology and market design, we enable policymakers to make well-informed decisions.
Lifestyle change through system change
Most people are willing to adjust their consumption patterns in support of climate goals and a healthy living environment. However, barriers must first be removed to make this possible. How can we make consuming less – and consuming differently – attractive and achievable for large groups of people? TNO conducts research to answer this question.
System change is needed to create social and physical environments that encourage different behaviours. We therefore explore whether, and how, our economic system can be transformed to facilitate this shift. Are alternative systems conceivable? Could post-growth models and other paradigms provide solutions?
We have translated existing concepts into four future scenarios for a sustainable and prosperous society:
- Green Growth
- Mission Economy
- Post Growth
- Great Mindshift
Society faces major challenges, including climate targets, geopolitical tensions, changing markets and evolving societal expectations. These developments call for forward-looking strategies. TNO supports organisations through workshops and other activities that test existing strategies against these four future scenarios.
Contact us
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Nicole de Koning
Functie:Program manager, Consultant-
Standplaats:Den Haag - New Babylon
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Email:Email Nicole
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Energy communities: from neighbourhood initiative to a key link in the energy transition
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Local authorities see energy support as a key transition enabler in tackling energy poverty
