Circular Energy Grid

The energy transition calls for an expansion of the energy infrastructure, as well as a different way of working with materials. Around 50,000 new transformer substations will be needed over the coming years to support the electrification of the Netherlands. Alliander is therefore exploring how this infrastructure can be designed circularly and adapted to future change. Central to this is the medium-voltage room (MV room), the transformer substation of the energy network.

How can the MV room be designed to be modular, flexible, reusable and future-proof? And how can circularity become a natural starting point within the design and development process? The designers are exploring not only material use, but also systems, processes and the way different stakeholders collaborate.

During Dutch Design Week 2025, the designers and Alliander's team explored the challenge together. Alliander's experts shared knowledge on circularity, the workings and modular structure of the MV room, and the challenges of grid reinforcement in urban areas. ProRail also shared an approach to modular and circular construction. In a joint working session, the designers and Alliander explored initial ideas for a circular and modular MV room.

Alliander and Dutch Design Foundation selected Lilian van Daal, npk design and Rademacher de Vries Architects. They are exploring the challenge from different disciplines: biomimicry, industrial design and architecture.