Gerard previously stood at the forefront of the transition to clean energy solutions as Manager of Sustainable Equipment at GMB and is active in networks such as the Emission-Free Infrastructure Network (ENI). He is also secretary of the KOMAT advisory group at Bouwend Nederland and a practor at the SOMA College, where he works on embedding knowledge in education. Time, therefore, for a closer introduction, ahead of the TES community meeting on 5 November.

A technician with a mission

“I’m a real technician, but above all a ‘stacker,’” Gerard says with a smile. “I started at the LTS in motor vehicles, continued via the MTS in mechanical engineering, and later graduated as a Technical Business Engineer from the Hogeschool Utrecht. My heart has been with equipment for 26 years. In recent years I’ve increasingly focused on the sustainability and innovation of equipment and technologies. Together with frontrunners in the chain, I work on smart solutions that not only fit within the technological transition but also contribute to the broader energy transition. That combination of technology, collaboration, and innovation is exactly what drives me.”

Focus on smart energy management

Through his involvement in projects with temporary energy systems, Gerard knows the challenges of this sector like no other. “The biggest issues lie in energy distribution and the efficient operation of equipment, especially around Total Cost of Ownership (TCO),” he explains. “A key question is: how do we translate this into a fair price per kWh for the end user, and how does that compare to alternative solutions? For me, smart control of energy and assets is therefore the central theme for the meeting on 5 November. That’s where technology, collaboration, and practical knowledge come together naturally.”

Creating value by sharing knowledge

According to Gerard, the strength of the TES community lies in sharing experiences. “Only when knowledge and practical examples are translated into concrete best practices does real value emerge,” he says. “We also need to ensure that members who cannot attend still benefit. We can achieve this by sharing knowledge documents or making insights available online. I strongly believe in open innovation: learning together, reducing transition costs, and ensuring that ‘learning costs’ only have to be paid once. That way we accelerate innovation together.”

New opportunities for temporary energy

One of the projects Gerard is particularly enthusiastic about revolves around King’s Day 2026. “The goal is to organize this event completely emission-free. That’s not only a technically challenging project but also a great opportunity to bundle knowledge and experience and share it more widely. I also see great potential in smart energy management systems. These can help deal better with the imbalance between generation and consumption of temporary energy, especially with fluctuating power demand and grid constraints.”

Looking ahead to the community meeting

During the community meeting on 5 November, collaboration with technology partners will be central. “We’ve invited an innovative supplier of Energy Management Systems (EMS) to present their approach,” Gerard explains. “After that, we’ll dive deeper into the theme of interoperability—how different assets and systems can better connect with each other. That’s crucial in temporary and dynamic energy systems.”

Accelerating together

Finally, Gerard emphasizes the importance of collaboration: “It’s essential that we know where developments are taking place and that community members actively connect to them. Each company is a frontrunner in its own field, but together we form an ecosystem that can truly accelerate the transition. For me, that is the greatest strength of the community: we ensure that the knowledge and progress of one party benefits the entire sector.”

Would you like to attend the next community meeting on 5 November? Register via this link.