WUR is a full member of the Netherlands Energy Research Alliance (NERA), where energy research from multiple Dutch universities, as well as research institutes such as TNO, NWO, and AMOLF, converge. This marks a new step in joint energy research, for which an important foundation was laid in 2017 with the establishment of the Wageningen Energy Alliance.
WUR scientists conduct energy research in many fields and already collaborate with several national and international energy organizations. The membership in NERA adds to this series of collaborations. Through multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary research and innovation, WUR contributes to the transition to alternative energy sources.
Students, researchers, and alumni are involved in energy research at Wageningen University & Research. In many WUR projects, knowledge and data from various disciplines converge, with the interconnection between the food system, the water system, and the energy system being central. This food-water-energy nexus approach ensures that the impact of new knowledge and applications is considered in the broadest possible context. This is necessary to prevent progress in one area from leading to setbacks in another.
WUR's research includes, for example, the design of multifunctional solar power plants and energy-efficient horticulture in Africa, Asia, and North America. Meanwhile, researchers are also exploring the technical and financial possibilities of hydrogen energy production and use in agriculture, industry, or at sea. Fundamental chemical and physical research is needed for the production of green hydrogen.
WUR researchers collaborate with a diverse range of organizations with complementary expertise in innovation, both in the Netherlands and around the world. These include universities, ministries, provinces, municipalities, NGOs, and companies. Additionally, WUR is a member of national and international consortia, such as EERA Bioenergy and the National Consortium Zon in Landschap, and is the initiator of the Wageningen Solar Research Programme.
The Wageningen Energy Alliance has drafted a document outlining and describing the unique approach, expertise, collaboration, and impact of energy-related research and education at WUR: Energy@WUR - From Molecules to Landscapes.
