Stuck in Gridlock: Trial versionGrid Congestion, Flexibility, TransitionTrial

This role-play addresses key issues and challenges in the energy transition, with a focus on electric vehicles (EVs) and power grid management. Each of the six roles is a key stakeholder and decision maker that contributes to and/or can improve grid management. Over the course of the negotiations, stakeholders try to find common ground on four key decision variables: charging stations, grid upgrades, flexibility options, and grid operator direct control. The case is set in 2024, shortly after Sam Towns, the program coordinator of charging infrastructure at the Rotterdam Municipality was hit with shocking news: the regional grid operator announced it wanted to turn off all public EV charging stations during peak hours in the afternoon and evening, due to lack of capacity in the electricity grid. Sam knew that the grid could not handle much more load, but this decision would make collaborations on improving grid management even harder. She called an emergency meeting with key stakeholders and decision makers related to EV charging and its impact on the grid.