In this internal newsletter, we share important announcements, events, and invitations. We also keep you informed about news, recent publications, and job openings at Entrance – Centre of Expertise Energy. Would you like to receive daily updates about what’s happening at Entrance? Then be sure to follow our LinkedIn-page

New procedure for submitting events

The Communications team regularly hears that many events are being organized within Entrance. To ensure that each event receives the attention it deserves, we have developed a new procedure that allows us to bundle all activities in one place and communicate about them more effectively.

For this purpose, an event calendar has been created. You can find it via: SharePoint → Entrance – Centre of Expertise Energy → Documenten → 3.6 Communicatie → 127 Evenementen → Excelbestand ‘evenementenkalender’.

The calendar includes several categories, each with its own color:

• Lecturer events

• L&I events

• Business Development

• External

We kindly ask everyone to add their planned events to this calendar, using the correct color coding and including a contact person. This helps us know who to reach out to for coordination or additional information.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

Think you’ve got a knack for predicting the future? Join the World Cup prize poule

Two years ago, a small group of us competed to achieve the best score in the European Championship pool. Back then, Ewoud Vos clinched victory after a final sprint. His children still proudly guard his trophy in their bedroom!

The World Cup kicks off in a few weeks. Who will win the glory and the accompanying trophy this year? It might just be you! The entry fee for the pool is €5. Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.

How do you take part? Click on this link to go to the Scorito website. Click on the ‘Log in’ or ‘Sign up’ button. Please note: there are various deadlines for submitting your scores, starting with the group stage by 21:00 on 11 June!

You can pay the €5 entry fee via this link: ​pay here.

The prize-giving ceremony will take place after the summer holidays. Pay via the link and your entry is complete.

Have fun (and may the best (wo)man win)!

– Leon, Marli and Oscar

Visit by Kviatek and Koenis to JRC Petten: laying the foundations for further cooperation with the EC JRC

On 12 May 2026, two colleagues from Entrance – Dr Beata Kviatek, Jean Monnet Chair in Sustainable EU Economy, and Marcel Koenis, Director of Strategy and Development – visited the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Petten. This visit marks an important step in further strengthening the international collaboration of Entrance and Hanze within the European energy and innovation agenda.

This visit took place within the framework of the UNLOCK-project and not only underlines the strategic importance of international collaboration for Entrance, but also offers concrete opportunities for developing new international partnerships. Furthermore, it opens up opportunities to make use of the research facilities and results of JRC Petten, and cooperation with JRC contributes to further strengthening Entrance’s positioning and visibility in the national and international research market.

Read more about Beata and Marcel’s visit to JRC Petten.

Entrance colleagues Van der Gaast and Visser on fair profit distribution in the energy market

Developments in the energy market continue to have a major impact on society and raise questions about the distribution of profits. In the Dagblad van het Noorden, our (former) colleagues Wytze van der Gaast and Martien Visser shared their views on the recent price rises and how governments should deal with them.

They emphasise that governments must strike a balance between protecting citizens and maintaining an attractive investment climate. Wytze van der Gaast highlights the importance of European cooperation: “If you tackle this at a European level, you can put the excess profits into a European fund to support vulnerable groups or to promote renewable energy.”

Click here to read the full story.

Published: Development of Model Predictive Control of Hybrid Solar PV-Wind for Economic Operation of Electrolyser System

Our Entrance colleague Jan Bekkering recently published an article on a new Model Predictive Control approach for hybrid microgrids incorporating solar and wind energy, hydrogen storage, and two distinct hydrogen demands: continuous heat demand and peak load for mobility. The study shows that renewable energy is utilised very efficiently (over 96% for heat and 90% for mobility) and that a smart ‘shrinking horizon’ strategy can reduce computation time by up to 70% without any significant impact on performance.

Read the full article here.

A unique bike ride: The Energy Ride on 9 May!

On 9 May, Entrance was once again well represented at the annual Energy ride (Energietocht). Wytze, Jorrit, Rik and Rick set off from SnowLimits on a 110-kilometre ride through the Groningen countryside. Whilst the ride originally began as the Gaslocatietocht, passing the province’s various gas sites, this year’s route took us past gas sites that are being decommissioned. With a total of around 90 participants cycling various distances (80, 110 or 120 kilometres), it was a relaxed ride that concluded with a pasta meal.

Given the number of Entrance cyclists who were unable to take part, we will be organising a fun Entrance ride after the summer (weather permitting) for cycling enthusiasts with road bikes. Keep an eye out for updates!

Entrance Research Day – 4 June

On 4 June, we are organising a Research Day focused on collaboration. We will explore how researchers within Entrance connect with one another, where disciplines intersect, and how different methods come together in practice. We will also look at stakeholder engagement and how we can work together to develop a rigorous and ethical research approach.

The aim of the day: to learn from one another, inspire one another, and strengthen our collaboration.

Have you received an invitation yet? Don’t forget to accept it. Are you a researcher who hasn’t received an invitation, or are you not yet involved in any projects but would be interested in participating in research in the future? Please get in touch with Wytze van der Gaast at w.p.van.der.gaast@pl.hanze.nl. You can also contact Wytze if you have any questions.

New Energy Forum, academic program – 17 june

Are you interested in the future of energy, sustainability, mobility, hydrogen, renewable energy, or societal transitions? Then we would like to invite you to join the NEF Scientific Conference Breaking Barriers: Accelerating Transitions on June 17th in Groningen.

During this unique conference, researchers from universities and universities of applied sciences across the Netherlands and abroad will present the latest insights into topics such as:

• Hydrogen and Power-to-X

• Sustainable mobility and Vehicle-to-Grid

• Wind energy acceptance and disinformation

• Smart energy systems and infrastructure

• Community engagement in the energy transition

• International perspectives on sustainability and energy systems

The conference takes place at the Energy Academy Europe (Zernike Campus, Groningen) from 12.00 – 17.30 and includes lunch, coffee breaks, and networking drinks. The opening session will be led by Professor Jan-jaap Aué.

This is an excellent opportunity to:

• explore current scientific developments in the energy transition;

• meet researchers and professionals;

• gain inspiration for internships, graduation projects or future careers;

• expand your network within the energy sector.

Whether your background is technical, social, economic, communication-oriented or policy-related: the energy transition needs interdisciplinary talent.

We would be delighted to welcome you to this first standalone NEF Scientific Conference. Please be aware, this event takes place the day before the New Energy Forum. One of the parallel sessions will be at our floor with the large table due to lack of other rooms.

Register here

NEW ENERGY FORUM – 18 JUNe

The festival where ideas turn into action is coming soon!

On 18 June 2026, the Northern Netherlands will once again be buzzing with excitement during the New Energy Forum: the leading festival on mobility, the energy transition and sustainability.

This year, it’s all about one question:

What are you doing?

New Energy Forum challenges you to get moving, break down barriers together and contribute to a sustainable future. Learn from frontrunners how to apply sustainable solutions straight away, experience the latest innovations in mobility and energy, and find concrete opportunities for collaboration that will help your projects move forward.

Didn’t register yet for New Energy Forum? Sign up via the button!

Groningen Energy Conference – 30 september

Grunneger Power, the Groningen Energy Association (Grek) and the Groningen Nature and Environment Federation (NMF) invite Groningen-based energy cooperatives and initiatives, civil servants, professionals and young people to the third edition of the Groningen Energy Conference on Wednesday 30 September 2026.

Venue: Op Maarhuizen, Maarhuizen 3, Winsum

Date: Wednesday 30 September 2026

Time: 4.00 pm – 8.00 pm, doors open from 3.30 pm with coffee and tea

Follow updates on the programme via the Grunneger Power website.

The Groningen Energy Conference is an initiative of the Energy Participation Programme (PEP), part of the National Programme Groningen.

Euregional H2 Business Event – 1 october

On 1 October 2026, Saxion – Sustainable Energy Systems, the VEGT Centre of Expertise and H2Hub Twente will be organising the third Euregional H2 Business Event on Decentralised Hydrogen, this time with a focus on green molecules.

It promises to be a great event featuring interesting speakers and workshops, networking opportunities, as well as opportunities for poster presentations.

Keynote speakers

• Judith Inberg (Business Developer, Tech OostNL)

• Reinier Grimbergen (CEO, BlueCircle Olefins)

• Hossein Nami (Associate Professor, University of Southern Denmark)

• Rob Stevens (Programme Director, Ammonia, ISPT)

• Michael Kohlgrüber (Associate Professor, TU Dortmund University)

Programme (brief overview)

In the morning, keynote speakers from industry and research institutions will share the latest insights on hydrogen and green molecules. Following the keynotes, participants will have the opportunity to present their own work during a poster session. In the afternoon, two parallel sessions will take place, exploring topics such as the role of green molecules (e.g. methane, e.g. methanol), methane pyrolysis and carbon capture in greater depth, followed by a closing keynote on challenges surrounding societal acceptance.

Interested? Register here!

Date: 1 October 2026

Time: 08:45 – 17:00

Location: Metropool, Industrieplein 10, Hengelo (next to the station)

Cost: Free

Make NEF a success

Fancy rolling up your sleeves during the New Energy Forum? We’re still looking for enthusiastic go-getters who want to help us make this day a huge success. Your efforts will be greatly appreciated, and you can sign up simply by sending an email to Oscar at r.o.risamena@pl.hanze.nl.

Entrance professional award

Major breakthroughs in the energy transition often start small.

With a single idea and a team that dares to do things differently.

The Entrance Professional Award 2026 is for those pioneers. For companies that aren’t waiting until tomorrow, but are already working today on solutions that accelerate the energy transition and demonstrably reduce CO₂ emissions, and which are ready to scale up.

Do you know of such an organisation? Nominate them for the Entrance Award via this link!

The winner will receive a prize package worth €100,000: not only financial support, but also access to knowledge, advice and a powerful network to help them take the next step. An independent, expert jury will select the three most promising innovations in early June. The deadline for nomination is 1st of June.

Entrance Student Award

The Student Award is an incentive prize offering cash prizes of €1,000, €500 and €250, as well as a platform at the New Energy Forum on 18 June 2026, where innovators, professionals and students come together to discuss the future of energy and mobility.

Colleagues: you play a key role. Encourage students with impactful projects to apply and give new talent the platform it deserves. You can find more information in the application form. The deadline for nomination is 8 June.

Our team has expanded significantly recently, bringing in new expertise. We’d love to let our new recruits have their say.

Met energieke groet,

Team Entrance