Tuesday the 20th of May was an inspiring and energetic NERA Away Day!
This annual gathering (aka NERA heidag) brought together members of the NERA working group, board, and scientific board. This time, our venue was DIFFER, located on the Technische Universiteit Eindhoven campus—a perfect setting for thought-provoking discussions on the future of energy research.

We kicked off at 12:00 with a welcoming lunch, where attendees had the chance to connect. NERA Chairman Andre Faaij opened the event and introduced our newly appointed General Secretary, Yorick W. Enters, also Policy Adviser at DIFFER.

Next, DIFFER Director Marco De Baar provided a compelling overview of DIFFER’s groundbreaking work in fusion energy, materials science, electrochemical processes, and plasma technologies.

Another fascinating highlight came from Süleyman Er (Head of DIFFER’s Chemical Energy Department), who presented the latest advancements in AI-driven, self-learning laboratories. These cutting-edge innovations accelerate material discovery for green fuels, paving the way for smarter and more sustainable energy storage.

We were honored to welcome Adel El Gammal, Secretary General of EERA – The European Energy Research Alliance, as a distinguished guest. His thought-provoking speech on the geopolitical landscape and its impact on the energy transition sparked lively discussions among attendees.

Afterward, we embarked on an exclusive tour of DIFFER’s state-of-the-art labs and test facilities, led by NERA working group member David van Walderveen, Team Leader at DIFFER.

Following a coffee break, we dove into dynamic working sessions. A key objective of the NERA Away Day is to assess current activities, explore future opportunities, and gather valuable input from participants.

This materialized through thematic discussions on: Geopolitical shifts impacting energy research in the Netherlands Emerging and future-critical topics Potential for deeper collaboration with EERA Expanding NERA’s influence and impact

Participants contributed forward-thinking ideas, many of which will be further developed in the coming months. By 17:00, we concluded the formal agenda with heartfelt thanks to all contributors and a special appreciation for Adel El Gammal for his contribution and his valuable insights.

To end on a celebratory note, we raised a glass over dinner and drinks, paying tribute to former General Secretary Mark Boneschanscher. Mark remained in his role until Yorick’s appointment and provided essential guidance during the transition. His dedication and contributions to NERA over the years have been truly invaluable!

The NERA Away Day was a resounding success—fueling us with fresh energy and momentum for the future!