EnergyVille will accelerate in the coming years
Besides the anniversary, EnergyVille has something else to celebrate. Today Gerrit Jan Schaeffer is also officially taking over the role of General Manager from Ronnie Belmans. The current General Manager, Ronnie Belmans, will retire at the end of 2021, but will continue to play a valuable advisory role within EnergyVille. With a new General Manager, the new ambitions for research within the living lab environment of Thor Park and the additional support from the Flemish government, EnergyVille is ready to accelerate the energy transition.
"Starting this year, a new research line will be added to the roadmaps of EnergyVille: the research into sustainable molecules for processes that are very difficult to electrify. In addition, many new projects, test facilities and collaborations are in the pipeline. Digitalisation will be an important element in this," says Gerrit Jan Schaeffer.
"The unique living lab at Thor Park has an unmistakable role to play here. We want to scale up and accelerate the energy transition together with companies, industry and the government in order to achieve an energy-efficient, CO2-neutral and sustainable society," adds Ronnie Belmans.
"EnergyVille has grown into a European top player in recent years. With their science-based policy, they help ensure that the energy switch to 100% renewable energy and climate neutrality can be achieved. They excel in cooperation with other research institutions, industry and other partners. Because alone you may go faster, but together you get further. It is this constructive cooperation across all levels that is necessary. The energy switch is also a switch from centralised to decentralised energy production with a much more active role for the citizen with intelligent energy systems and system integration," said Federal Minister for Energy Tinne Van der Straeten.