The Circular Mainframe is a design exploration into a possible future vision of a robust and efficient energy and resource system in 2050, developed from spatial considerations and system logic.
StudioMarcoVermeulen conducted this research on behalf of the Ministries of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK) and the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK). Since the Climate Agreement in 2018, Studio Marco Vermeulen has been working on this issue. The Climate Agreement represents one of the biggest challenges for spatial planning in the coming decades, and we contributed to a coherent spatial elaboration of the results from the Industrial Climate Table.
StudioMarcoVermeulen conducted this research on behalf of the Ministries of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK) and the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK). Since the Climate Agreement in 2018, Studio Marco Vermeulen has been working on this issue. The Climate Agreement represents one of the biggest challenges for spatial planning in the coming decades, and we contributed to a coherent spatial elaboration of the results from the Industrial Climate Table.
2021
Research by design
client
Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties, Ministerie van Economische Zaken en Klimaat , Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Milieu
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Resource Transition
The transition to a sustainable energy system has long been on our radar, but the transition from fossil to renewable resources is often overlooked. However, the issue of resources significantly impacts the system choices that must be made in other transition tasks. How we replace fossil resources, where these renewable resources will come from, and how we can use them efficiently are questions that need to be considered together for an integrated assessment.
The Circular Mainframe aims to provide an overview and insight into the complex world of networks and systems. This vision is not intended as a blueprint but offers a clear picture of the ‘metabolism’ of the future Netherlands and potential focal points in the different networks.
The Circular Mainframe aims to provide an overview and insight into the complex world of networks and systems. This vision is not intended as a blueprint but offers a clear picture of the ‘metabolism’ of the future Netherlands and potential focal points in the different networks.
The Netherlands, Flanders, and the rest of Europe are highly dependent on third countries for resources, making us vulnerable.
Resources and Goods Flows in 2020
The necessity of establishing a circular economy arises from the convergence of three developments: the impact on the climate, the decreased availability of resources, and dependence on other countries. Looking at the location of the remaining resources, we see that supplies in Europe have largely disappeared. As a result, the Netherlands, Flanders, and the rest of Europe are highly dependent on third countries for resources. Much natural gas is extracted from fields in the North Sea near Norway, but most natural gas comes from Russia and is transported to Europe via five pipelines. The extensive oil network also demonstrates our dependence on fossil resources. Long pipelines transport oil from Siberia deep into Western Europe.
Nodes in the System
There is a continuous exchange of products, semi-finished products, raw materials, and energy worldwide. Goods, oil, biomass, heat, hydrogen, water, electrons, CO2, etc., are transported over short and long distances via roads, water, air, rail, cables, and pipelines.
Deep-sea ports are a crucial link in this system. Each has its own mix of transshipment typologies, varying port depths, and different transport possibilities. Moreover, the context in which they are located varies—some deep-sea ports are directly adjacent to or within the city, while others are more in agricultural areas. Even in the biobased economy, these sea ports will remain important international hubs.
Deep-sea ports are a crucial link in this system. Each has its own mix of transshipment typologies, varying port depths, and different transport possibilities. Moreover, the context in which they are located varies—some deep-sea ports are directly adjacent to or within the city, while others are more in agricultural areas. Even in the biobased economy, these sea ports will remain important international hubs.
In the biobased economy, deep-sea ports with their port-industrial complexes will continue to be key nodes for hydrocarbon flows and hydrocarbon conversion.
System Architecture of the Future
The infrastructure along which these flows run often meets a direct need for a specific connection between point A and point B. Simultaneously, the presence of infrastructure will also spur future developments along the route from A to B. Just as the first trading settlements arose at crossroads of roads and waterways, all forms of infrastructure will create certain settlement conditions that make one location more attractive for specific activities than others.
Much infrastructure is designed to meet the energy and resource needs of existing industrial clusters and cities as efficiently as possible. At the same time, there are many locations where these infrastructures converge that are not yet developed. In the coming years, many new infrastructures will be added, for example, to facilitate the energy transition and the need for natural resources.
Much infrastructure is designed to meet the energy and resource needs of existing industrial clusters and cities as efficiently as possible. At the same time, there are many locations where these infrastructures converge that are not yet developed. In the coming years, many new infrastructures will be added, for example, to facilitate the energy transition and the need for natural resources.
From a Line to a Network
These new connections are initially built only where there is concrete demand. This seems logical, but it leads to networks formed by the sum of individual initiatives for connections, which does not immediately result in the best-functioning network. Often, it takes time to develop a logical hierarchy in the system. For comparison, the national highway network now runs between cities rather than from city center to city center.
These new connections are initially built only where there is concrete demand. This seems logical, but it leads to networks formed by the sum of individual initiatives for connections, which does not immediately result in the best-functioning network. Often, it takes time to develop a logical hierarchy in the system. For comparison, the national highway network now runs between cities rather than from city center to city center.
Backbone
The Circular Mainframe presents a future vision (2050) where networks for electricity, heat, CO2, hydrogen, and biomass are much more complete than they are today. In this proposal, we position the new main infrastructures (backbones) as much as possible in plausible locations, such as existing pipeline corridors, and link them to industrial clusters expected to play a significant role in 2050.
The various energy and resource flows are broken down into four sub-diagrams. For each flow, the main components and their location relative to the pipeline corridor and each other are illustrated. The loop in the middle of the diagrams represents the pipeline corridor, the backbone.
The Circular Mainframe presents a future vision (2050) where networks for electricity, heat, CO2, hydrogen, and biomass are much more complete than they are today. In this proposal, we position the new main infrastructures (backbones) as much as possible in plausible locations, such as existing pipeline corridors, and link them to industrial clusters expected to play a significant role in 2050.
The various energy and resource flows are broken down into four sub-diagrams. For each flow, the main components and their location relative to the pipeline corridor and each other are illustrated. The loop in the middle of the diagrams represents the pipeline corridor, the backbone.
The various energy and resource flows are broken down into four sub-diagrams. For each flow, the main components and their location relative to the pipeline corridor and each other are illustrated.
The Circular Mainframe
At first glance, the main infrastructure for the transport of hydrogen and heat is clearly visible, forming the backbone of the system. This backbone is supplemented where necessary with a CO2 pipeline. Transport corridors such as rivers or railways that intersect the backbone present opportunities for the development of biobased industries, as large quantities of biomass can be easily transported there. New hydrogen bunkering stations, charging stations, and battery transfer points can also provide fuel for inland shipping. Where the electricity grid intersects the backbone, transfer and exchange between different energy flows occur, allowing for conversion between various energy carriers.
Nine Nodes
Where different (underground) energy flows converge, new industrial clusters emerge, or existing ones are strengthened. The map highlights nine key nodes. The deep-sea ports examined, with their port-industrial complexes, will remain important hubs for hydrocarbon flows and hydrocarbon conversion. However, some port-industrial clusters are geographically better positioned to accommodate specific activities. Regional differences will also arise due to the availability of raw materials in the (immediate) vicinity.
Biobased harbor cluster
The Port of Rotterdam, with its largest facilities, harbor depth, and available space, is likely to transform into the biobased cluster for processing bulk raw materials such as seaweed. The North Sea Canal area, surrounded by the food industry in the Zaan region and the urban area, will receive a different mix of raw materials and thus develop a different biobased industry. Due to the variety of raw and residual materials from agriculture in Zeeland and Flanders, North Sea Ports can distinguish itself in fine biobased chemistry.
Nine Nodes
Where different (underground) energy flows converge, new industrial clusters emerge, or existing ones are strengthened. The map highlights nine key nodes. The deep-sea ports examined, with their port-industrial complexes, will remain important hubs for hydrocarbon flows and hydrocarbon conversion. However, some port-industrial clusters are geographically better positioned to accommodate specific activities. Regional differences will also arise due to the availability of raw materials in the (immediate) vicinity.
Biobased harbor cluster
The Port of Rotterdam, with its largest facilities, harbor depth, and available space, is likely to transform into the biobased cluster for processing bulk raw materials such as seaweed. The North Sea Canal area, surrounded by the food industry in the Zaan region and the urban area, will receive a different mix of raw materials and thus develop a different biobased industry. Due to the variety of raw and residual materials from agriculture in Zeeland and Flanders, North Sea Ports can distinguish itself in fine biobased chemistry.
Electrolyse
Clusters where large amounts of sustainable electricity will land in the future are ideal locations for producing sustainable hydrogen through electrolysis. This presents opportunities particularly for the Port of Rotterdam, Groninger Seaports, and the North Sea Canal area. Additionally, both Rotterdam and the North Sea Canal area have CO2 capture and storage facilities. Hydrogen is a crucial raw material in the biobased economy and will be essential in biorefining, along with the supply of green raw materials.
Raw materials cluster
Where transport and energy flows intersect, significant hubs for goods transfer emerge. The Arnhem – Nijmegen cluster, and to a lesser extent Venlo, Liège, or Hannover, are such hubs in the Circular Mainframe. Here, hydrogen and electricity infrastructure converge to provide inland shipping with sustainable energy. Moreover, CO2 from local industry can be captured and transported by ship to the ports of Rotterdam or the North Sea Canal area for storage in empty gas fields under the North Sea.
In the Circular Mainframe, we position new main infrastructures (backbones) as much as possible in plausible locations, such as existing pipeline routes, and link them to industrial clusters expected to play a significant role in 2050.
Clusters where large amounts of sustainable electricity will land in the future are ideal locations for producing sustainable hydrogen through electrolysis. This presents opportunities particularly for the Port of Rotterdam, Groninger Seaports, and the North Sea Canal area. Additionally, both Rotterdam and the North Sea Canal area have CO2 capture and storage facilities. Hydrogen is a crucial raw material in the biobased economy and will be essential in biorefining, along with the supply of green raw materials.
Raw materials cluster
Where transport and energy flows intersect, significant hubs for goods transfer emerge. The Arnhem – Nijmegen cluster, and to a lesser extent Venlo, Liège, or Hannover, are such hubs in the Circular Mainframe. Here, hydrogen and electricity infrastructure converge to provide inland shipping with sustainable energy. Moreover, CO2 from local industry can be captured and transported by ship to the ports of Rotterdam or the North Sea Canal area for storage in empty gas fields under the North Sea.
In the Circular Mainframe, we position new main infrastructures (backbones) as much as possible in plausible locations, such as existing pipeline routes, and link them to industrial clusters expected to play a significant role in 2050.
Connecting Makes Robust
To ensure a reliable energy and raw material system in the future, sufficient buffer capacity must be built into the network. For many systems, scaling up leads to a more robust and efficient system (economy of scale). This requires a certain level of overcapacity in the production of sustainable energy, as well as storage facilities. Optimal international connectivity serves as a measure to address the periodicity of energy sources. Consider the supply security during a ‘dunkelflaute,’ a period with little wind and sun, or disruptive situations like the oil crisis in 1973 or the current conflict in Ukraine.
From Local Clusters to a Cross-Border Circular Mainframe
A large-scale network for multiple energy and raw material flows is not built in a day. Strategic and proactive management of the realization of this Circular Mainframe is necessary. This requires strong planning and coordination at the national level in the short term. Compare it to the construction of the national highway network. In 1935, the first highways from city to city were built. This was later expanded into a network of highways that anticipated mass motorization. Eventually, this network grew into a nationwide, open-access highway network, resulting in an attractive business climate. A crucial difference with the highway network is that we do not have 100 years for realization and organic growth.
To ensure a reliable energy and raw material system in the future, sufficient buffer capacity must be built into the network. For many systems, scaling up leads to a more robust and efficient system (economy of scale). This requires a certain level of overcapacity in the production of sustainable energy, as well as storage facilities. Optimal international connectivity serves as a measure to address the periodicity of energy sources. Consider the supply security during a ‘dunkelflaute,’ a period with little wind and sun, or disruptive situations like the oil crisis in 1973 or the current conflict in Ukraine.
From Local Clusters to a Cross-Border Circular Mainframe
A large-scale network for multiple energy and raw material flows is not built in a day. Strategic and proactive management of the realization of this Circular Mainframe is necessary. This requires strong planning and coordination at the national level in the short term. Compare it to the construction of the national highway network. In 1935, the first highways from city to city were built. This was later expanded into a network of highways that anticipated mass motorization. Eventually, this network grew into a nationwide, open-access highway network, resulting in an attractive business climate. A crucial difference with the highway network is that we do not have 100 years for realization and organic growth.
Not a Blueprint
This vision is not intended as a blueprint but provides a clear picture of the 'metabolism' of future Netherlands and the potential focal points in the different networks. It can serve as a basis for discussions about the networks themselves and the various conditions shaped by the presence or absence of certain infrastructure. Therefore, it can also be an important basis for spatial planning issues.
We hope that the Circular Mainframe provides clarity and insight into the complex world of networks and systems and the possibilities it offers for better managing the layout of the Netherlands. These insights may be relevant in the short term and help in making choices in the near future.
This vision is not intended as a blueprint but provides a clear picture of the 'metabolism' of future Netherlands and the potential focal points in the different networks. It can serve as a basis for discussions about the networks themselves and the various conditions shaped by the presence or absence of certain infrastructure. Therefore, it can also be an important basis for spatial planning issues.
We hope that the Circular Mainframe provides clarity and insight into the complex world of networks and systems and the possibilities it offers for better managing the layout of the Netherlands. These insights may be relevant in the short term and help in making choices in the near future.