Directeur van het TNO-segment Digital Systems
Harry van der Velde
Consultant
A value proposition for Systems Engineering in Energy
15:00 – 16:30
Abstract
How can we use Systems Engineering to improve collaboration in energy infrastructure?
The energy transition demands unprecedented acceleration of the electricity grid: thousands of kilometers of cables and pipelines, hundreds of new substations. This is a complex task in which collaboration between grid operators, suppliers, and contractors is crucial.
In collaboration with TNO-ESI, the INCOSE-NL SIG Energy Transition is organizing an interactive workshop to bridge the gap between Systems Engineering and the practical application of energy infrastructure. During the INCOSE International Workshop 2025 in Seville, three urgent bottlenecks were identified:
- Major risks for contractors due to unclear responsibilities
- Increasingly detailed (overly) specific requirements being pushed down the supply chain
- Procurement processes that hinder rather than promote collaborationBased on the FuESSE study by TNO (TNO 2025 R10501), four concrete recommendations were formulated:
- Further strengthen and harmonize modular construction in conjunction with the supply chain
- Accelerate digitalization and standardization within the supply chain
- Implement early validation and robust quality management
- Further invest in the systems competencies of personnel
This workshop marks the next step:
➡️ How can we use Systems Engineering to improve collaboration throughout the supply chain – from grid operator to contractor?
During the workshop, participants will explore how a standardized SE approach can strengthen collaboration, increase efficiency, and enable a fairer distribution of risks and rewards. We explicitly invite both experienced Systems Engineers and professionals from the energy sector (such as project managers, engineers, and suppliers). The strength of this workshop lies in bringing together different perspectives.
What are the benefits of participating?
- 🔧 For SE professionals: insight into the practicalities and challenges of energy infrastructure
- ⚡ For energy experts: tools to manage complexity and improve collaboration
- 🤝 For everyone: concrete insights and a network to accelerate the energy transition together
Bring your experience and SE expertise to this workshop and actively contribute to better collaboration in the energy chain.
Bio Wouter Leibbrandt
Wouter is directeur van het TNO-segment Digital Systems. Digital Systems onderzoekt en innoveert methodologieën voor systeemengineering om complexe cyberfysische systemen te beheren die een digitale transitie ondergaan. Het snelst groeiende programma binnen dit segment richt zich op de energietransitie. Dit programma zorgt ervoor dat de digitalisering van het energiesysteem in transitie snel én goed verloopt, rekening houdend met relevante systeemaspecten zoals schaalbaarheid, veerkracht, beveiliging en toekomstbestendigheid. Dit gebeurt in nauwe samenwerking met alle stakeholders in de gehele waardeketen.
Voordat Wouter in 2016 bij TNO in dienst trad, werkte hij 10 jaar bij NXP Semiconductors en daarvoor 14 jaar bij Philips Research, waar hij diverse functies bekleedde in onderzoeks- en innovatiemanagement.
Van 2004 tot 2006 woonde en werkte hij in China, in de laboratoria van Philips Research in Shanghai.
Hij is lid van stuurgroepen en adviesraden van diverse industriële, overheids- en academische initiatieven.
Wouter is gepromoveerd in de natuurkunde aan de Universiteit Utrecht.
Bio Harry van der Velde
Harry van der Velde began his career at Shell over 25 years ago as a process engineer, with early highlights including commissioning the Shearwater platform in the North Sea. In 2001, he moved to Malaysia to support upstream gas facilities supplying Malaysia LNG in Bintulu. He later became Lead Systems Engineer for the Gumusut Floating Production System, overseeing integrated design across topsides, hull, and subsea systems.
In 2007, Harry was seconded to ENI in Kazakhstan as Senior Project Engineer for the Kashagan offshore development. He joined Shell’s Floating LNG team in 2010 as Engineering Manager, contributing to projects such as Prelude, Abadi, and Browse. From 2016 to 2020, he served as Audit Manager in Shell Internal Audit, providing assurance across LNG, GTL, and New Energies portfolios.
Returning to Shell Projects & Technology in 2021, Harry led the implementation of Systems Engineering in capital projects and served as global community lead for Engineering Management. In 2025, he joined Dutch Boosting Group as a consultant, supporting SE adoption across various organizations.
Harry holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA in Sustainability. He served as President of the INCOSE Netherlands Chapter from 2021 to 2025