From today (Monday), the Netherlands is launching an "energy weather report" every week to let residents know when energy can be saved or when is the best time to turn on the dishwasher or washing machine, for example.
The energy weather bulletin will be presented by Dutch weather reporter Helga van Leur, and is an initiative of the sector organisation Nederlandse Vereniging Duurzame Energie (NVDE - Dutch Renewable Energy Association) and the grid operators Gasunie and TenneT, with weather data coming from the Dutch weather service KNMI.
"Opening the curtains to let in solar heat and turning on the washing machine when it is windy outside: these kinds of tips help save on heating and make full use of renewable energy from the sun and wind," NVDE chair Olof van der Gaag said in a press release. "By using green power at times when it is plentiful, gas power plants do not have to be turned on as often. That is gain for the climate and so we are less dependent on foreign countries."
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The energy reports will help people get through the coming winter more sustainably and affordably and allows the public to get used to the idea that electricity is not always available in the same amount and as sustainably. Additionally, congestion on electricity grids can be reduced if green electricity is used at times when the wind is blowing strongly or the sun is shining, said Manon van Beek of TenneT.
"If we can follow the peaks and troughs in sustainably generated electricity in our electricity consumption, we will also need less electricity infrastructure," she said. "This energy weather report is going to help us use electricity grids more efficiently."
