Enexis Netbeheer BV

Their core work

Enexis Netbeheer is one of the largest electricity and gas distribution system operators (DSOs) in the Netherlands, managing the grid infrastructure that delivers energy to millions of homes and businesses. In H2020, they contributed real-world grid infrastructure and operational expertise to projects tackling flexibility markets, renewable energy integration, smart grid cyber-physical systems, and electric vehicle fast charging. Their role is that of an infrastructure owner testing and validating research innovations on their actual distribution network — making them a critical bridge between laboratory research and large-scale deployment.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

All four H2020 projects started in the same year (2017), so there is no meaningful chronological evolution to track. However, the project portfolio reveals a coherent strategy: Enexis entered H2020 exploring multiple dimensions of grid modernization simultaneously — from flexibility markets and renewables integration to EV charging and smart appliances. The keyword data from ASSURED (fast charging, electric buses/trucks, charging management) suggests that electrified transport infrastructure became a concrete area of engagement alongside their core grid operations.

Enexis is expanding from traditional grid management into the electrification of transport and demand-side flexibility — areas where DSOs become active orchestrators rather than passive infrastructure owners.

How they like to work

Enexis participates exclusively as a partner, never as coordinator — consistent with a large infrastructure operator that provides real-world testbeds and operational data rather than leading research agendas. With 111 unique partners across 14 countries from just 4 projects, they operate in large, diverse consortia typical of Innovation Actions and major research projects. This makes them an accessible partner: they are accustomed to working with many different organizations and bring infrastructure assets rather than competing on research turf.

Despite only 4 projects, Enexis has built a broad network of 111 partners across 14 European countries, reflecting the large consortium sizes of their Innovation Action and ECSEL projects. Their reach spans much of the EU, with no narrow geographic dependency.

What sets them apart

As a major Dutch DSO, Enexis offers something most research partners cannot: access to a real, operational electricity distribution network serving millions of connections. This makes them invaluable for any project that needs to validate grid-related innovations beyond simulation — from flexibility trading platforms to EV charging load management. For consortium builders, partnering with Enexis means your technology gets tested in conditions that matter for market adoption.

Highlights from their portfolio

• InterFlex
  Largest project by funding (EUR 1.2M to Enexis) — a flagship Innovation Action on grid flexibility and automated energy market interactions.
• ASSURED
  Addressed fast charging for heavy-duty urban electric vehicles (buses, trucks, vans) — a rapidly growing infrastructure challenge directly relevant to DSOs.
• UNITED-GRID
  Combined smart grid technology with cyber-physical security for high-renewables distribution networks — bridging energy and digital security domains.