Accelerating the Energy Transition with Modular Building (PLE)

To meet the goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the Netherlands must scale its electricity grid by a factor of five. Limited building space, a lengthy process to obtain building permits and shortage of skilled labor pose a major constraint. This paper explores how modular building, embedded within a Systems Engineering (SE) and Product Line Engineering (PLE) approach, can help accelerate electricity grid extension, and, ultimately, the energy transition. In national collaboration between the Dutch applied research organization TNO and major Dutch grid operators, we analyze how modular building supports scalable infrastructure development by enabling reuse and reducing complexity. We first compare the maturity of modular building practices across grid operators and then contrast them with mature PLE strategies from the high-tech sector.