The European decision-making on the deregulation of the energy market was driven primarily by economic motives. Now, it is becoming increasingly clearer that the environment and security of supply are at least every bit as important. In order to formulate an integrated long-term energy and environmental policy, politicians have to set clearly defined goals which strike an even balance between the environment, the economy and security of supply — within, of course, the technological parameters of the system. But this, in turn, calls for insight into the various value chains in the electricity and heat/cold supply systems, including the interplay between them and demand-side savings options. These value chains are technological, energetic, economic and political in nature. If they are implemented on a true level playing field in Europe, both the Netherlands and the EU as a whole will be able to establish a strong position for themselves in an innovative and increasingly sustainability-based energy market. Such a vision can only be realized by a shift in focus, designed to optimally promote innovation within a context of integrated chain management. Teus van Eck comes from a technical (electrical engineering) and economics (business economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam) background. For over 30 years he | has worked in the energy sector, holding various management posihi tions in power generation, transport and distribution, fuel supply and strategy/energy policy at Dutch and international companies (South East Asia, Eastern Europe). His specialization has always been , ‘bridge-building between technologists, economists and policy-makers’. The lack of bridges and long-term vision in the current energy debate and the huge implications for the environment was the main incentive for this study. At the same time, a unique opportunity emerged to bring together practical knowledge, experience and scientific theory. At present Teus van Eck is an independent energy/environment researcher and involved in different political/environmental issues.