Dutch researchers join forces for sustainable energy
A number of Dutch research institutes have come together to make scientific knowledge about possible potential energy sources more readily available to governments and industry. The NODE platform will map all existing research on sustainable energy supply, and will also promote partnerships between research institutes and companies. The platform's members also intend to stimulate social debate on the future of energy supply in the Netherlands. 'Only technology can provide solutions to the energy problems,' says Tim van der Hagen, one of NODE's instigators and a professor of reactor physics at the Technical University of Delft. 'The problem is that research is being fragmented at the moment and policy-makers, industry and scientists cannot consistently reach the levels of agreement needed to arrive at attainable solutions.' The participating institutes are all conducting research in areas such as solar cells, hydrogen, biomass, wind energy and nuclear fission and fusion. As governments and industry seek to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, all of the above are potential replacements. 'Choices about energy systems are for the long-term,' says Professor van der Hagen. 'The public and political debates are powerfully driven by current events. We therefore want to encourage the mutual exchange of ideas, knowledge and facts between scientists, in order to provide the government, media and the public with relevant and valid knowledge.'
Countries
Netherlands