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Engineering Technology (ET)
Engineering Technology (ET)
UTFacultiesETResearchResearch themes

Sustainable Production, Energy and Resources

Over three earths would be needed to meet the material, water, and energy demands of today’s global population if we continue to live the way are doing, according to UNICEF data published in 2022. Reducing our environmental footprint is a vital step toward a better future for all. Within our research theme sustainable production, energy, and resources (SuPER), our faculty faces this challenge head-on.

Sustainable Production, Energy, and Resources (SuPER) at the ET faculty centres on exploring multidisciplinary approaches to sustainable ways of living. These include design processes, material development, and smart energy and resource integration. Our research focuses on assessing resource use, promoting sustainable energy in all forms, and understanding material flows.

From this research, we look to develop and implement real-world solutions. Examples include databases for water and land use of global crop production in high spatio-temporal resolution; circular products and systems; and parametric and prospective life cycle assessment methodologies for emerging technologies.

Through this work, we can foster a society founded upon circular resource management and sustainable solutions. SuPER contributes to several United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 6: ‘Clean water and sanitation’, SDG 7: ‘Affordable and clean energy’ and SDG 12: ‘Responsible consumption and production’

  • Research facilities

    Within the ET faculty, the SuPER topic is researched across all departments. Our Sustainable Elastomer Systems and ETE labs are well equipped for research, while the ASPARi knowledge network brings together UT researchers, Dutch contractors, and the national road and waterways agency. We also collaborate with universities across Europe, the United States, Australia, and China.

  • Example projects

    1. ‘Development of models to quantify the costs and environmental impacts of building construction demolition waste (CDW) valorisation in road transportation infrastructure’
    Construction Demolition Waste (CDW) is one of the largest waste flows in the world. CDW is frequently used in low-value applications, such as road base material. This project aims to develop models to quantify the costs and environmental impacts associated with the use of recycled building CDW materials in road transportation infrastructure.

    2. Earth@lternatives project: analysing global crop production
    Feeding the world without harming our planet is a major challenge of our time. This research project, funded by the European Research Council, will analyse the historical changes of water and land footprints of global crop production. Following this, researchers will propose caps and benchmarks to promote sustainable food production.

Theme leader:

prof.Dr.-Ing. W. Rohlfs (Wilko)
Full Professor
+31534894859
 w.rohlfs@utwente.nl
Building: Horst Complex N234
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