Date and location
Thursday, 30 October 2025 – Electricity Campus, Arnhem

Introduction
With the growing need to reduce pressure on the electricity grid, collective heating networks are increasingly being considered instead of individual solutions. But do they really help, or could they shift the problem elsewhere? During this meeting, two specialists with different perspectives will share their views, followed by a panel discussion with the audience.

What participants will gain
This community aims to move beyond viewing net-conscious neighborhoods from separate technical silos such as heat or electricity, and instead look at the energy system as an integrated whole. The session focuses on how to design such environments and what connections are needed. Participants will leave with concrete insights, practical ideas, and guidance for next steps. The discussion is intended to be hands-on, focusing on current developments and the choices required to create future-proof neighborhoods.

Program

• 09:15 – Opening and welcome by community manager Dick Klaassen
• 09:30–10:30 – Presentations by Roald Arkesteijn (Eneco) and Joëll Franken (Linthorst)
• 10:45–11:30 – Panel discussion with audience interaction
• 11:30–11:45 – Closing
• 11:45 – Lunch

Speakers

• Roald Arkesteijn (Eneco) – Works in Analysis and Strategy and has been active in the heat sector since 2017, focusing on developing source strategies such as geothermal. He co-authored a widely discussed article questioning the benefits of collective heat networks for grid congestion.
• Joëll Franken (Linthorst) – Represents a company that develops, realizes, and operates complete sustainable energy projects, including collective heating networks, and will share practical experience on their advantages.
• Runa Lentz (Merosch) – Advises municipalities and developers on the energy transition and provides insights into the trade-offs between heat networks and individual solutions.
• Mark Elbers (Municipality of Lingewaard) – Project leader for the heat transition within the Climate, Energy and Circularity program, working in spatial policy.

Who should attend?
The meeting is intended for property developers and municipal officials planning new neighborhoods, builders and installers working on technical solutions for grid-conscious districts, and companies offering (partial) solutions for the energy market. The goal is to bring together solutions and stakeholders to develop an integrated approach.

Registration
Interested participants can register via the event page.