"Playing Powerplay is more fun than reading a report” - Rob van der Rijt
“Powerplay is More Fun Than Reading a Report”
“We are often too quick to assume that installing an offshore wind farm will solve the climate problem. But there are so many factors involved: grid congestion, affordability, security of supply, and the weather. Powerplay demonstrates just how complex the energy system really is. It is much more fun than reading a report! And as Minister for Energy, you are the one in control.”
Speaking is Rob van der Rijt, founder of Klimaatplein and author of the book CO₂-Neutral Business – How to Do It. Together with experts, Rob also works on a variety of studies exploring how the climate transition can be broadened and accelerated in a fair and equitable way.
“Twelve years ago, I founded Klimaatplein, an online platform designed to inform and inspire entrepreneurs on how they can make their businesses more sustainable. We offer a range of online tools that provide practical guidance, and our news blog is filled with concrete case studies and inspiring perspectives.”
Understanding the Bigger Picture
Powerplay can also be found on the website. “We support and endorse Powerplay because the game aligns perfectly with our vision. We want entrepreneurs to understand how the entire energy system works. Knowledge provides a solid foundation for making informed decisions. For example, how can an small//medium entrepreneur become more sustainable? How can they reduce their emissions and make better use of renewable energy?
Part of the answer lies in smart collaboration. Businesses can, for instance, use surplus heat from a neighbouring company’s production process to heat their own premises. They can coordinate their energy consumption to avoid peak demand, or work together to create an energy hub on an industrial estate. The game illustrates these interconnections extremely well.”
The Impact on Nature
Van der Rijt has been passionate about nature from a young age. “We can clearly see the effects that global warming is having on the planet. There is a loss of biodiversity, increasing migration flows, and certain plants and trees are no longer able to thrive because the climate is changing. Besides causing social hardship, these developments also result in economic damage. Consider the impact of extreme weather on property, agricultural yields, and business continuity, as well as its effect on insurance premiums.”
Thinking Circularly
Although he is enthusiastic about Powerplay, he believes there is still one important aspect that deserves attention. “How sustainable are the materials we use to generate renewable energy? I am referring to the raw materials required for solar panels, batteries, and wind turbines. It would be valuable to see this included in the game as well. We need to adopt a circular mindset. A thousand years from now, these raw materials should still be capable of being reused in an affordable and clean energy system.”
A Shift in Awareness
“There are limits to growth,” Rob explains. “That also applies to sustainability. Technologically, almost anything is possible, but are we truly willing to change the way we live? We need to be cautious of the ‘rebound effect’. A greater availability of renewable energy should not result in us simply consuming more energy. Over the coming years, our greatest challenge lies in raising societal awareness. That is where a significant shift is needed.
Fortunately, through my work as a researcher, I can see that this change has already begun. There is a growing movement of remarkable citizen-led initiatives in which people share resources such as cars, energy, and tools. Ultimately, we need to consume less, produce high-quality products that are easy to repair and share, and reduce our overall energy consumption.”
