Universities of the Netherlands and the Netherlands Energy Research Alliance (NERA) organised the “Knowledge Café Value of Science for Energy Research” on Monday, 11 November at Dudok in The Hague.

What is the importance of energy research for society? How can the research and innovation system in the Netherlands contribute to the major societal task of energy transition? In short, what is the Value of Science for Energy? The answers to these questions took centre stage this afternoon.

André Faaij – chairman of NERA, scientific director TNO Energy and Materials Transition gave a presentation (PDF) on ‘The value of (our) energy research’. 

Launch of the Energy Helpdesk
Many people are looking for reliable and easy-to-understand information on the energy transition. But finding that knowledge information on the internet is not so easy.

The EnergieHelpdesk is the place where scientists provide answers to energy-related questions from society. Each question is answered by an active scientist or expert in a specific field. The EnergyHelpdesk is a collaboration between NERA and the ClimateHelpdesk.

The audience interacted with scientists from different disciplines during the Knowledge Café, including:

Linda Steg – professor of Environmental Psychology, University of Groningen
Martijn Groenleer – Professor of Public Administration, Tilburg University
Simon Tindemans – UHD Intelligent Electrical Power Grids, TU Delft
Pascal Buskens – principal investigator at TNO and professor of Nanostructural Materials, Hasselt University
Joeri Reinders – chairman Climate Helpdesk Foundation and Energy Helpdesk, Leiden University
Maarten Appelman – is doing a PhD at the University of Twente on the topic of Energy Access in the Global South

Got a question? Then go to the EnergyHelpdesk: https://energiehelpdesk.org/
Link to Value of Science/Energy: https://www.universiteitenvannederland.nl/waarde-van-wetenschap/energie