Energy Transition
Another development is the increasing digital transformation in the energy transition. Although digital transformation makes a vital contribution to accelerating the energy transition, it also comes with increased cybersecurity risks. This requires a robust and trusted infrastructure. The power grid must be capable of adequately handling decentralised power generation, withstanding peak and off-peak loads, and be robustly protected against digital crime. Smart equipment used in the energy transition (EV charging stations, heat pumps, solar panel inverters and domestic use batteries) must also be digitally secured. This requires communications and devices that are digitally secure.
Cloud providers
Many applications these days run in the cloud. But the cloud infrastructure on which they run is not always located in Europe. This poses a risk to the digital sovereignty of Europe in general and the Netherlands in particular. This is especially important when it concerns critical infrastructure, such as telecommunications and energy networks.
Digitally secure equipment
Given the surge in the number of smart devices connected to the Internet, the risk of cybersecurity incidents will continue to increase. Unfortunately, many smart devices, such as doorbells and security cameras, are inadequately secured. This can lead to hacking, and DDOS attacks, exposing the entire digital infrastructure to an elevated security risk.
Dynamic spectrum use
RDI predicts that the use of the frequency space will become more efficient through the use of intelligent software. This is important because space in the crowded frequency spectrum is becoming increasingly scarce. Using visible light for wireless connectivity may ease some pressure on the available frequency space in the future.
Trend Radar
RDI has worked with economic operators and government agencies to identify developments that will become socially relevant in the short term. These developments have been discussed and assessed based on their relevance and breakthrough moment. The results have been set out in RDI's Trend Radar 2023.
Several organisations participated in the discussions, including: the Ministry of Economic Affairs (EZK), the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Natural Science Research (TNO), Top Sector Energy, the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP), the Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM), the Dutch National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Platform for the Information Society (ECP), NL Digital, Stratix, SIDN, Strict and DEI.