Discover your pathway to tomorrow’s energy system today

In many cases, our expertise is unavailable elsewhere. We provide concrete policy options and assess their implications through structured analytical approaches. This gives our clients clear and actionable insights.

We carefully define the research question and are equally willing to draw on existing knowledge and studies when these can effectively meet a client’s needs.

Our advanced models provide integrated, quantitative insights into transition pathways, costs and price impacts. Examples include the OPERA model (developed with PBL), electricity market models, and international energy system models such as TIAM-ECN and TIMES.

Our experts interpret the quantitative outcomes generated by these models, including both certainties and uncertainties. We translate these findings into scenarios and transition pathways that enable clients to develop concrete policy options and business strategies.

We foster strong partnerships between governments, knowledge institutes, investors and businesses. By bringing stakeholders together in national and international consortia and networks, we create the synergies needed to accelerate innovation.

As a client, you benefit from the collaboration between TNO teams with complementary areas of expertise. This integrated approach delivers new perspectives and unique innovations.

What will the future costs of the energy transition be, and how will they be distributed?

Together with PBL, CPB, CBS and RVO, TNO is building knowledge on these questions through the Integrated Cost Assessment of the Energy Transition (EIK) programme.

By analysing the energy system, the economy and associated costs in an integrated way, we provide insight into the effects of different transition pathways. This enables the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth (KGG) and other stakeholders to respond quickly to policy questions and make scientifically informed decisions.

Energy scenarios help policymakers make informed decisions about the energy transition.

Using the OPERA model, TNO develops scenarios extending to 2050. The ADAPT scenario follows a more moderate pathway with continued fossil fuel use, while the TRANSFORM scenario emphasises energy efficiency, behavioural change and large-scale deployment of wind energy.

The analysis shows that energy-intensive industry and international fuel production are major drivers of future energy demand. Electrification and green hydrogen lead to strong growth in electricity demand, while nuclear energy can complement wind and solar power within the future energy mix.

Through various projects, TNO works with organisations to strengthen security of supply and European strategic autonomy in critical raw materials.

We do this by mapping material flows, developing recycling technologies and providing policy advice. In this way, we support industry and government in making strategic decisions regarding the recycling of batteries, printed circuit boards and solar panels.

TNO is a knowledge partner in the Cluster Energy Strategy (CES) Rotterdam–Moerdijk.

Through a four-pillar strategy, the cluster is working towards an industrial system based on circular value chains by the middle of this century. TNO supports this process with future scenarios and quantitative analyses of material flows and the energy transition.

These analyses have been used to prioritise the energy infrastructure projects required for the future.

The CES also addresses bottlenecks, opportunities and policy actions, while recognising the strategic role of Rotterdam–Moerdijk as an energy hub for North-West Europe, with a strong focus on security of supply.