Our research contributes to SDG7 by reducing the costs of energy transport, and therefore making renewable energy more affordable and accessible. With government bodies, asset owners, engineering firms and contractors, we are improving the design and installation of electricity cables, heating and hydrogen networks while keeping a carbon-free built environment in mind.

Cables and pipelines have typically been installed in open trenches, an approach that leads to disruption above the ground. Trenchless technologies can help. Deltares is therefore working with contractors and asset owners to design and test new trenchless installation techniques. With a ploughing technique for example, or a tunnelling technique, pipelines can be installed at shallow depths. The fast installation process with these techniques is needed to meet the requirements for the energy transition. Trenchless installation at shallow depths also makes access to the pipeline or cables easier when maintenance or repair is required, making the infrastructure system more resilient. For example, with our partner Kouwenberg Infra we developed a new method for connecting homes faster and more economically to a heating network and making them gas-free. This technique eliminates the need to dig trenches and there is less damage to the environment.