ECN’s 2007 Annual Report, published in August, sets itself apart with its thought-provoking concept, extreme photography, interviews and many scenarios for the future.

An annual report traditionally looks back on what the organisation has done in the previous year, along with a cautious glance into the future. In its 2007 Annual Report, however, ECN is more forward-looking. In their interviews the management team, the unit managers, external partners and staff in their interviews do not only look back at 2007 but also present their visions of the near future. What kind of future does ECN envisage in the short and medium term? What trends will the units need to respond to? How can ECN help to shape the transition to sustainable energy? The result is a report on constructing a sustainable future, as the title indicates in so many words.

Metamorphosis
Not only has the content of the report undergone a metamorphosis, the appearance has also changed dramatically. The new concept is ‘pleasantly innovatory’, with extreme close-ups of the unit managers and photoshopped pictures to excite readers’ interest. Photo mosaics illustrate the diversity of ECN research, not just with photographs of systems but also with photography matter that appeals to the imagination: not only pictures of solar panels but also hands grasping the sun – symbolic of a more human and more accessible annual report with vision and significance.

In brief
In the Foreword managing director Ton Hoff notes that “2007 was a good year for ECN. The multi-year programmes have made progress on a broad technological front, and the marketing of ECN technology has been accelerated in line with the strategic plan”. For him and deputy director Kees van der Klein there is every reason to look back with satisfaction. Hoff adds: “There is still a formidable challenge in doing groundbreaking research that provides strong support for the energy transition in the Netherlands and Europe and marketing the technology we have developed. I believe we have fulfilled that remit in 2007, especially thanks to the creation of the Corporate Development Department, which focuses on strengthening ECN programmatically and on marketing new technologies in particular.”

This approach has been fruitful, says Kees van der Klein, originator of the Corporate Development Department. “ECN develops technologies at every stage of development, from ideas thought up at a desk to devices for which ready-to-use technology is sold to industry. The strength of an institution such as ECN lies in this ‘portfolio’, which enables us to develop the next generation of technologies needed to meet government targets. In recent years, a remarkable number of technologies developed at ECN have reached maturity. The number of projects on the verge of being transferred to industry is growing rapidly. While the financial results for 2007 are rather positive, it is important to note that licensing revenue rose to about 700,000 Euros. On top of this, technologies developed by ECN are resulting in economic activity: private-sector investments in applications of ECN technology have been estimated to amount to a total of around 26 million euros, and nine new patents have been registered.”

Information:
Has this piqued your interest to see the Annual Report? You can download it from our web site.

Contact:
Annebeth Leurs
ECN Communication
Tel.: 0224 - 564556
leurs@remove-this-part-ecn.nl