April 14, 2025 · 6 min read
Smarter operations: the engine powering the energy transition
The Dutch energy industry stands at a defining crossroads. A complex mix of geopolitical tensions, ambitious EU and national climate goals, and unprecedented infrastructure demands is placing a unique strain on operations teams. As the transition toward sustainable energy accelerates, it’s clear that managing this transformation is just as critical as achieving it.
A shifting landscape with higher stakes
The energy transition in the EU - and particularly in the Netherlands - has long been a priority. Yet the current geopolitical situation has significantly changed the playing field. Global instability, supply chain disruptions, and mounting inflation are placing extra pressure on energy - intensive industries to adapt at speed and scale.
This evolution is not purely about replacing fossil fuels with renewables. It’s about navigating an entirely new energy ecosystem: one that is larger, more diversified, and more volatile. The traditional grid is becoming a complex patchwork of wind farms, solar parks, heat networks, and battery storage systems. In the Netherlands, this means increasing demand for infrastructure development - at a time when asset prices are surging and skilled labor is scarce.
Karen de Lathouder, COO Asset at Eneco, discussed this challenge in a recent episode of BNR’s Duurzaam podcast. She emphasized that the transition requires more than just technological change - it demands organizational reinvention.1
'We’re not just dealing with a transition of energy sources, but a transition of systems and people.'
Operations under pressure
Behind the scenes, operations teams are feeling the weight of this transformation. They’re tasked with maintaining uptime, managing performance, and resolving issues across a growing web of interconnected assets - all while handling the nuances of both electricity and heat production.
Several pressing issues are shaping their day-to-day:
- Asset Landscape: Wind turbines, battery storage, solar installations - each new asset introduces monitoring, maintenance, and coordination needs.
- System Complexity: Integrating disparate systems - often in real-time - creates data chaos and room for error.
- Talent Gap: With the rapid pace of expansion, there’s simply not enough time to grow expert teams at the same rate.
- Workforce Evolution: The system is not just expanding – it is evolving. Operations teams need to adapt their skills, mindsets, and tools to manage a radically different infrastructure.
The rise of smarter, data-driven operations
To rise to the occasion, Dutch energy companies are moving toward smart data-driven operations. This isn’t a luxury - it’s becoming a necessity.
In practice, insight - driven operations rely on several pillars:
- Centralized and Structured Data: All operational data must be captured and organized in a unified environment.
- Real-Time Visualization: Teams need to see what’s happening - live and in context - to prevent issues rather than just respond.
- Context-Aware Analytics: Raw data isn’t enough. Analytical tooling needs to interpret and contextualize the data for it to be truly actionable.
- Alarming and Automation: Smart alarms and automated workflows reduce the time between insight and response.
- Predictive Power: The use of Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI is enabling forward - looking analytics - allowing teams to anticipate rather than react.
This new mode of operation doesn’t just streamline performance - it fundamentally changes how organizations respond to volatility.
Partnering for progress
At Blockbax, we see this evolution every day and we are proud to support organizations like Eneco and Firan, a part of Alliander, in their ambitions towards the energy transition, where operational excellence is being redefined through data and technology. Across our customer base, we help operations teams transform how they monitor infrastructure, identify root causes, and act on insights.
Companies must mature their operations across multiple axes - from data infrastructure and analytics capabilities to internal workflows and talent strategies. Our role at Blockbax is to support every step of that journey, ensuring that operations teams move with speed, clarity, and confidence.
The path forward
The urgency of the energy transition is clear. But without equipping operations teams with the tools, data, and intelligence they need, progress will be limited.
Resilient operations now depend on real-time awareness, automation, and predictive capabilities. Blockbax supports teams in building this foundation - helping them stay ahead of complexity and lead with confidence.
Are you ready to empower your operations teams for the future? Let’s start the journey toward smarter data-driven operations together. 👉 Contact our team to learn more about how Blockbax can support your energy transition.
Sources
- Karen de Lathouder, COO Asset at Eneco, in BNR Duurzaam - Zo jaagt Eneco de energietransitie aan - Listen here
About Blockbax
Blockbax provides a user-friendly, configurable platform for monitoring and controlling critical assets. By unifying access to all systems and data in one platform, Blockbax reduces complexity and empowers asset experts to make data-driven decisions. With custom business rules and real-time insights, experts can quickly respond to events and continuously improve operations, proactively preventing future incidents.
Trusted by organizations like Croonwolter&dros, Bredenoord, and Eneco, Blockbax supports smarter asset management, reducing downtime and enhancing the operational efficiency of their workforce. Explore more at www.blockbax.com.
