Jan Middelhuis

Senior Beleidsadviseur

One challenge, one direction: Accelerating the
energy transition through collaboration, standardization, and
systems engineering

Bio.
Naam: Jan Middelhuis
Huidige functie: Senior Beleidsadviseur
Organisatie en afdeling: Alliander afdeling Modulair Bouwen
Sinds wanneer werkzaam in deze functie: 2022
Eerdere relevante functies: Lead engineer en technisch manager elektrotechniek
Opleidingen en certificeringen: HTS-elektrotechniek en HTS-werktuigbouwkunde

Jan Middelhuis is Senior beleidsadviseur bij Alliander en richt zich op de verdere ontwikkeling en implementatie van Systems Engineering binnen de organisatie. Zijn aandachtsgebieden zijn onder andere de organisatie rondom digitaal eisenmanagement, informatiemodellering en standaardisatie.

In zijn rol stuurt hij een team dat werkt aan de verbinding tussen beleid, normen, eisen en projectuitvoering, de ontwikkeling van de centrale eisenbibliotheek, de informatiemoddelen en gestandaardiseerde informatie- en projectprocessen.

Samen met Stedin wordt er gewerkt aan een meer uniforme werkwijzen en aanpak van standaardisatie en systems engineering binnen de energiesector.

Abstract.

Key Message
Alliander and Stedin believe that the greatest acceleration in the energy transition will not come from making improvements in isolation. Instead, it will be achieved by standardizing jointly and developing a Systems Engineering approach that connects organizations, projects, and supply chain partners.
Stedin and Alliander are doing this by collaborating on three fundamental building blocks for the further professionalization of the energy sector:
1. A shared SE maturity model outlining a growth path from document-driven workflows to Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
2. A joint ‘W-model’ that integrally links product development, project realization, verification & validation, and lifecycle management.
3. A common standardization approach, including standard packages, a product catalog, definitions, building blocks, modules, components, and tooling.
This advances both organizations, ensures uniformity in dealings with contractors, suppliers, and other supply chain partners, and guarantees the responsible use of public funds.
How are they laying these fundamental building blocks, and what challenges are they encountering?

Summary
The energy transition demands an unprecedented acceleration in the realization of energy infrastructure. Grid operators face the same challenges: a growing project portfolio, increasing system complexity, a shortage of expertise, and an implementation chain requiring increasingly intensive collaboration between client, contractor, and supplier.
Stedin and Alliander have therefore decided to invest jointly—rather than separately—in the further development of Systems Engineering and standardization. Based on the principle that the sector benefits more from harmonization than from individual optimization, both organizations are working as allies to establish a common foundation for systems, processes, and collaboration.
In this presentation, we demonstrate how this collaboration takes shape through three interconnected initiatives.
First, we are jointly developing a Systems Engineering Maturity Model that outlines a growth path from document-driven workflows to integrated information management and, ultimately, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). This model provides direction for both organizational development and the digitalization of the value chain.
In addition, we are introducing a jointly developed “W-model”—a linked double V-model that connects the entire chain of system definition, product development, project realization, verification & validation, and operations/maintenance. This establishes an explicit link between standardization, product development, and project execution.
Finally, we address the joint development of standards, products, processes, definitions, and tooling. Central to this is the use of standardized building blocks, modules, and components managed within a standards package and product catalog, enabling projects to increasingly rely on configuration rather than engineering.
The ambition of this collaboration is not only to advance both organizations but also to foster greater uniformity in dealings with contractors, suppliers, and other supply chain partners. When clients speak the same language, employ comparable processes, and apply the same fundamental principles, it results in greater predictability, higher quality, and enhanced execution capability across the entire energy sector.