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University of Twente launches Green Energy Initiative Green Energy Initiative brings together renewable energy research at the University of Twente

The research institutes CTIT, IGS and MESA+ at the University of Twente are pooling their research activities in the field of renewable energy. The Green Energy Initiative is a working partnership between a large number of academic chairs focusing on the topics ‘Energy from Biomass', 'IT & Smart Grids’ and ‘Advanced Materials'.


The University of Twente is currently conducting a great deal of research in the field of renewable energy. This includes research into new materials for photovoltaic solar cells, how to convert biomass to energy, and how to use IT in creating smart energy networks.


By joining forces under the Green Energy Initiative, CTIT, IGS and MESA+ will not only provide a better contact point for external parties, but will also improve the coordination of the research. Moreover, according to the University of Twente’s high-tech, human touch theory, this initiative will foster a mutual reinforcement relationship among the various scientific disciplines. Combining technological innovation with behavioural, organisational and governmental research will promote the successful implementation of innovations.


Research themes

To begin with, the Green Energy Initiative will focus on three research themes: ‘Energy from Biomass’, ‘IT & Smart Grids’ and ‘Advanced Materials’.

‘Advanced Materials’ aims to develop new materials and technologies to make energy carriers and sources both more effective and more efficient. The materials and technologies being developed include fuel cells, solar cells and systems for the production of solar fuels. Researchers collaborating on the Biomass theme are looking for ways to develop climate-neutral fuels from biomass, including the formation of biofuels from forest and agricultural waste and the development of biofuels from algae. Research conducted under the IT & Smart Grids theme focuses on the development of energy efficient systems in smaller communities, such as residential areas and business parks. The goal is to use smart IT solutions to coordinate energy demand and supply in order to facilitate efficient energy management at, for example, neighbourhood level.

At the moment approximately 175 scientists at the University of Twente conduct research in the field of sustainable energy.


Note to the press: More information on the Green Energy Initiative is available here. For further information, please contact the Green Energy Initiative programme director Jan Emmerzaal, tel. +31-(0)6-53356119, or the science information officer Joost Bruysters, tel. +31-(0)53-4892773/+31-(0)6-10488228.