Launch of the Green Molecules Collective

Groningen, June 18, 2025– With a mix of enthusiasm, sharp insights and forward-looking visions, Green Molecules Collective (GMC) officially launched. The new national network aims to become the central hub for research, innovation, and collaboration on renewable gases – the so-called green molecules. This represents a significant step in connecting fundamental knowledge with practical applications in the energy transition.

A central hub for renewable molecules

The Green Molecules Collective was established to bring structure and synergy to the fragmented landscape of research initiatives focused on green molecules such as synthetic methane, hydrogen, and other carbon-containing gases from renewable sources. GMC now offers a single point of contact for companies, knowledge institutions, and government agencies for research questions, collaboration, and project development.

According to initiator Joán Teerling, the need is clear: "Green molecules are the Swiss Army knife of the energy transition – they can be used flexibly as both an energy carrier and a raw material. But currently, they're in a kind of adolescent phase: too developed for fundamental research, but not yet marketable. The GMC is helping these technologies mature."

Ulco Vermeulen, previously active in the fossil fuel sector, is now one of the prominent figures in the transition. "Green gases are the next big step. With the GMC, we're paving the way to connect all these loose knowledge streams and make a real impact," says Vermeulen. At the official launch, he received the first copy of the latest TKI report on green gas research in the Netherlands from moderator Marcel Nieuweweg.

AI model demonstrates power of shared knowledge base

The value of the new collective was immediately tangible in an interactive demonstration session led by Koen Kok (Eindhoven University of Technology) and Emma Beroske (Renewable Fuels Platform). This session showcased an AI model fed by numerous studies and reports on green molecules from the collective. This brought together research from various disciplines into a cohesive, intelligent knowledge base.

The AI showed that the green molecule research field is now robust enough for the next step: policy, application, and scaling up. When asked about the "most promising" green molecules, the model provided a nuanced answer: there is no universal winner. Hydrogen, e-methane, methanol, and green gas each fulfill a different role in the future energy system. However, e-methane and green gas do appear to align best with existing infrastructure and policy goals.

The session generated considerable interaction. Questions from the audience included topics such as the use of lactic acids in bioplastics and the major policy obstacles surrounding e-methane. The AI emphasized that regulations often lag behind and advocated for clearer policy, creating market demand, and simplifying permitting procedures.

Agronomist Wolter Elbersen (WUR), from the audience, was asked about the role of farmers in this story. His response: "Farmers want to know: what's in it for me? There are definitely opportunities there, especially through circular biomass applications – but policy needs to evolve accordingly."

The demonstration made clear that bringing together knowledge from different domains leads to new, in-depth questions. That is exactly what the Green Molecules Collective was founded for.Beroskes's closing call: "Join us. Universities and colleges can make a greater difference than ever if we focus on practical questions."

Why are we doing this? – three perspectives on urgency and potential

The second session delved deeper into the social and economic significance of green molecules, based on three statements from experts in the field:

Wolter Elbersen (WUR) advocated for a hierarchy in the circular use of biomass. "If we don't use biomass optimally, it can be worse than fossil fuels," he warned. Elbersen emphasized the importance of cascading: use biomass first for high-value applications, such as food and materials, and only then for energy. "Current policy doesn't yet adequately address this."

Ruud Paap (New Energy Coalition) argued that sectors burdened by nitrogen restrictions, such as industry and construction, should also invest in green gas on farms. He outlined how farms, often seen as part of the nitrogen problem, could also be the key to the solution – provided they can invest in technology that converts nitrogen into fertilizer and thus turns the problem into a solution. Legal restrictions surrounding nitrogen reduction currently make this difficult. "The court has further postponed the solution by mandating that reduction during the operational phase must primarily be used to relieve pressure on nature reserves. As a result, this reduction cannot be used to offset the minimum emissions during the construction phase, these projects cannot be permitted, and these solutions are not progressing."

Loes Knotter (Renewable Fuels Platform) closed the loop by positioning farmers as suppliers of sustainable aviation fuel. She demonstrated how residual flows from biodigestion (CO₂) and surplus farm electricity (for hydrogen electrolysis) can combine to create E-SAF: synthetic aviation fuel. Knotter: "We need to think more decentrally. Farms, in particular, can develop into mini-hubs for green fuel production."

GMC: from research to implementation

The dynamic nature of the debate and the lively interaction with the public underscore the urgency and potential of the GMC. Whether it concerns technological development, policy frameworks, or circular agricultural systems: green molecules are the connecting factor.

Green Molecules Collective is calling on businesses, knowledge institutions, and governments to join the network. "We have to do this together – and that starts here."

About New Energy Forum

New Energy Forum is the festival for (aspiring) mobility and energy professionals and anyone concerned with a livable future. It's an annual initiative of our organization (New Energy Coalition). Entrance, Hanze & Hive Mobility at the Entrance test site on Zernike Campus Groningen. The Entrance Award will also be presented during the festival: the prize for pioneers in the energy transition. 

On June 19, 2025, Groningen was once again the vibrant hub of the energy and mobility transition during New Energy Forum. This unique event, now boasting five successful editions, is much more than a traditional conference. It's the most distinctive energy festival in the Northern Netherlands, unique in its format thanks to its combination of content, networking, and experience, with this edition as a standout. This edition was entirely dedicated to DO!ers – the place where action takes center stage. Over 1.700 visitors gathered at the Entrance test site.