Opening New Energy Forum 2025
"I'm here without a top hat, but with high expectations." With these words, dressed as a circus director, Anna Gimbrère opened the fifth edition of New Energy Forum in the circus tent that housed the festival's main stage. Anna Gimbrère, a science journalist and presenter, chaired New Energy Forum this year, introducing all the sections on the main stage and questioning the speakers.
She referred to all the developments in the energy and mobility transition taking place in the north. And that we should be a little more proud of everything that's happening here. "It’s about time the sobriety paid off," said Gimbrère, dressed in her circus director's outfit. Because down-to-earth is a characteristic that suits the northern residents of our country. Despite this down-to-earth attitude, Entrance, Hanze, Hive.Mobility, and New Energy Coalition organise New Energy Forum every year, 'the festival of your future.' Or, as the chairperson puts it: "a platform for pioneers, and this year, especially doers."
A number of these doers were called forward and introduced to the audience:
The Prey
Robin, Karst, Jorik, and Thomas came forward. Four young people, cousins, who built a solar boat together. With their solar-powered boat, The Predator, they participated in the Young Solar Challenge and sailed the Eleven Cities Tour. Gimbrère asked them what they were doing at the New Energy Forum. The answer: "We want to show that today's youth has what it takes." They had brought their solar boat to show off to the New Energy Forum audience.
Tim Sissing
Gimbrère then told the story of a young man who traveled to Southeast Asia. "Once there, he found not only a green paradise, but above all, a lot of trash. This young man didn't look for a trash-free beach, but chose to clean up the trash he saw on the beach. And because of that, more and more people started helping." That boy is Tijmen Sissing, now also known as 'the trashpacker'. He traveled to the New Energy Forum with his recycling van that day. Among other things, to young people from the Energy Transition Expedition, part of the festival, to inspire. As a preview, he asked the audience to shout out a few random words that he wrote on a blackboard. Using these words, he created an impressive freestyle rap about the energy transition.
Scientists: André Faaij and Francesco Picchioni
The New Energy Forum featured a diverse lineup of speakers, including scientists. Gimbrère called two of them forward to introduce themselves. First, André Faaij, a scientist at TNO, was introduced as the publication powerhouse. Why? Because as a scientist, he publishes many articles. "These address topics like energy systems and how they can change as quickly as possible," he explained. Faaij also spoke about Ukraine's potential as a green energy giant: "Because the old energy system is now broken. If that system can be rebuilt in the future, it can be completely green and help Ukraine and the rest of Europe become more sustainable. At TNO, we are exploring how Dutch companies can contribute to this green transition."
Finally, Gimbrère introduced Francesco Picchioni as the "flip-flop professor." He's a scientist who researches recycling. "It's important to be bold," said Picchioni. "My team and I are researching how we can recycle rubber into new products, including flip-flops. We're the only ones with the technology to recycle passenger tires." This research won Picchioni and his team the Ben Feringa Impact Award 2025 this spring. He and his team were happy to tell them more at their booth at the demonstration market.
The program is open
After this festive introduction by Anna Gimbrère and the presentations of The Prey, Tijmen Sissing and scientists André Faaij and Francesco Picchioni, the packed program of New Energy Forum 2025 officially began.
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.
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