ECN jubilee year comes to an end

Following a grand jubilee year the Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) is focusing all its energy on the next fifty years. As a Major Technological Institution (MTI) in the field of energy research, ECN now is in a good position to do so. With the implementation of the Wijffels recommendations it occupies a key position in Dutch energy research. This is not only a challenge for ECN but also a substantial additional responsibility.

These were words of praise from Ruud Lubbers, Chairman of the ECN Supervisory Board, in the foreword to the 2005 Annual Report. He continued with the four priorities that need to take precedence in ECN’s programme; first energy saving - using generated power more efficiently -; then sustainable energy; then clean use of fossil fuels, including carbon capture, and finally nuclear technology (not only nuclear power but also medical applications for example).

International development
Ton Hoff, managing director of ECN: "We want to ‘complete’ the market development of energy technology and push it over the technology gap! We are involving industry in our research at an early stage and stay involved longer with the implementation of technology. In this era of globalisation it is becoming less and less important whether it is the Dutch industry that takes on the commercialisation of energy technology that has been developed in the Netherlands. If a German or Japanese company wants to develop ECN technology we support that wholeheartedly. The goal is to speed up the energy transition by developing appropriate technologies. ECN’s strategic position ties in closely with the energy transition."

A good example of technology implementation is the new partnership between ECN and industry in the field of solar cell technology. Industry is following developments at ECN closely, but at the same time they are already putting knowledge developed at ECN to commercial use. This trend can also be seen in fuel cell technology and wind energy. Almost all the major wind turbine manufacturers are using knowledge developed at ECN or the existing infrastructure, but they are also involved in the follow-up research that is needed.

Financial facts and figures
ECN made a net profit again for the third year in succession. Turnover rose to €107 million in 2005 (from €102 million in 2004), with a net profit of €4.4 million (€2.4 million in 2004). Turnover is expected to continue to rise somewhat in 2006. To achieve this ECN intends to focus more on international clients. It is also participating in more and more energy transition and technology transfer networks such as the Energy Transition Task Force.

You can download the 2005 ECN Annual Report from the ECN website at http://www.ecn.nl/docs/library/report/2006/p06002.pdf

Contact
Harold IJskes
ECN Press Officer
Tel. +31 (0)224 – 56 40 50
ijskes@remove-this-part-ecn.nl