Working on a sustainable world on a massive scale

Edwin Postma, Enterprise Architect

After some time doing development work in the Philippines, Edwin Postma knew for certain: he wanted to do more with sustainability. So his job at Eneco was the perfect step. It allows him to combine his two main passions, as he explains in this blog. ‘The great thing about our data is that it has a relationship with the physical world.’

I work as an Enterprise Architect at Eneco. I convert the company’s strategy into tangible products and programs for the next few years. When we want to go international, I come up with a system that works in multiple countries. And when we launch a new product, I make it all possible.

One great example is when we helped set up a project in Belgium. The idea was to make maximum use of private solar panel generation for the smart charging of electric cars. That places less of a burden on the grid, increases self-consumption, and lowers energy bills. So it’s a project that creates a lot of satisfaction. Together with the team, I worked out the concept and created all of the technical preconditions to make the project a success.

A lot of architects work for banks or government agencies and focus on administrative processes. What I like most about my work is that data relates to the physical world, like windmills producing energy at sea. Something actually happens as a result of my work. I think it’s unique how Eneco is one of the few companies that produces, sells, and delivers energy itself. As an Enterprise Architect, I’m involved in all of the links in the chain. One day I’ll meet with Marketing and Sales to talk about how the customer experiences the product, and an hour later I’ll help optimize the control system for a new industrial battery. I talk about the company’s strategy and the issues affecting operations. That makes the work both abstract and concrete.

Sustainability isn’t just a marketing slogan here. We make choices that are good for the planet. And I’m proud of that. If you want to work to build a more sustainable world, then you can really make a difference at Eneco. We don’t just think about the future; we’ve actually started down the path of change. We do it today, and we do it together. I hope to be able to introduce even more great innovations over the next few years. My main motivation is to keep sustainable energy accessible for everyone. Sustainable energy shouldn’t just be environmentally friendly, but also socially just. Only then will the energy transition be truly successful.