Minutes of the sounding board meeting of the EMV knowledge platform

Introduction

This year, as an association, we have again been invited to the annual sounding board meeting of the EMV Knowledge Platform (knowledgeplatform.nlThe platform aims to make scientific knowledge about electromagnetic fields (EMF) and health understandable and accessible to a wide audience.

Our participation in the sounding board group has two goals:

1. Member Information: Many of our members, through their work with EMC issues, also receive questions about exposure to electromagnetic fields. By sharing knowledge and developments from the platform with you, we aim to contribute to providing well-founded, accessible, and scientifically sound answers.
2. Contributing to substantive discussions: With our technical expertise in measurement methods and mitigation of electromagnetic fields and grid pollution, we contribute to a balanced and factual dialogue within the sounding board group.

The meeting was attended by a wide range of organizations, including DNV, Antennebureau, TenneT, Stralingsbewust, UMC Utrecht, Stichting EHS, RIVM, Alliander, GGD, and the Ministries of EZK, VWS, I&W, and Defense.

An important development shared during the meeting is that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W) will now take on a coordinating role regarding electromagnetic fields. This should lead to clearer communication from the government on this topic.

Think tanks

Think Tank on Network Pollution

The meeting began with an update from the Grid Pollution Think Group. Within this group, there is a reasonable consensus on the causes of grid pollution. However, differences of opinion regarding solutions remain, particularly between electrosensitive participants and technically oriented parties. Despite these differences, the collaboration is perceived as open and constructive.

Work is underway to add a series of Q&As on grid pollution to the website of the knowledge platform. Eindhoven University of Technology will also contribute through additional research.

New think tanks

Due to the positive experiences with the Network Pollution Think Group, new think groups are being considered. The following criteria have been established for this purpose:

1. The topic fits within the mission and vision of the knowledge platform.
2. The right parties want to participate, so that a workable course of action can be created.
3. The participants have a constructive attitude.

Suggestions for new think tanks include:

• Energy hubs and smart grids
• Inclusion of people with EHS (for example in relation to household electrification and mobility)
• Stray currents and grounding problems

Presentations

Nick van den Broek (TenneT) – Energy transition and magnetic fields

Nick presented an overview of the current situation in the Dutch high-voltage grid:

• Approximately 25,000 companies and institutions are on the waiting list for grid connection.
• The average waiting time has now increased to two years or longer, with expectations that it will continue to rise.

To expand and strengthen the high-voltage grid without exposing the population to excessive magnetic fields, smart configurations of high-voltage lines on the pylons are being used. Simulations are being performed to calculate magnetic field contours and to take the limit value based on an annual average of 0.4 μT into account in spatial planning.

In addition, the network is split into smaller 'pockets', which improves robustness.

Fred Woudenberg (GGD Amsterdam) – Spatial integration of substations

Fred discussed how the municipality of Amsterdam handles the placement of substations and transformer stations. A key component of this is calculating the 0.4 μT contours and organizing public consultation meetings, where local residents are informed about the precautions and, where necessary, reassured with measurement data. The government discourages performing such calculations around high- and medium-voltage substations, but Amsterdam is successfully building support this way. This approach, however, raises many questions and debates across the country.

Rob van der Boom (EHS Foundation) – Health risks according to the EHS Foundation

The final presentation was given by Rob van der Boom of the EHS Foundation. In his presentation, he criticized government policy regarding emerging health risks and questioned the generally accepted exposure limits.

Although this presentation sparked discussion, it was ultimately concluded that consensus was not within reach. Therefore, a call was made for joint solutions, such as establishing "white zones": areas with very low levels of electromagnetic fields.