Opening New Energy Forum 2026
On Thursday, June 18, a surprising and spectacular opening set the tone for the New Energy Forum 2026.
Entertainer Vincent van Leth captivated the audience from the very first minute with a series of impressive illusions, performed together with his assistants. Cards turned into money, objects appeared out of nowhere, and the audience was constantly wrong-footed.
The magic turned out to be more than just entertainment. In his performance, he managed to weave a story about the energy transition. Themes such as change, innovation, collaboration, and investments recurred.
'What are you doing?'
The highlight of the opening act followed when climate expert and moderator Aniek Moonen was literally conjured onto the stage. To loud applause, she emerged from one of Vincent's illusions to proceed with the official opening of the New Energy Forum.
The kick-off of the festival on energy transition, mobility, and sustainability was entirely dedicated to one central question: 'What are you doing?'. This question prompts visitors to reflect on what they themselves can contribute to accelerating the energy transition and what preconditions are necessary for this.
This edition focuses primarily on mindset, behavioral change, and the power of the individual.
- Aniek Moonen
Innovation in the spotlight
After the opening, attention shifted to the presentation of the Entrance Awards. The Entrance Award is an innovation prize for pioneers who accelerate the energy transition with their boldness and innovation. This award is presented every year during the New Energy Forum festival. Our partners Gasunie, Energie Beheer Nederland, NAM, Shell, and GasTerra, among others, contribute to the support package presented to the winners.
Innovative contributions were rewarded in three categories: Student, Research, and Professional.
Philip Peters won first prize in the Student category with his globally applicable business model for energy access and sustainable energy systems.
The Research Award was presented to Rhea Kapoor and Jorrit Reede in recognition of their research into reducing nitrous oxide emissions in wastewater treatment.
Green gas Westerkwartier
Presenter Harm Edens took the stage at the presentation of the Professional Award. He emphasized the significance of innovations from the North and the impact this region can have on the global energy transition. “Together, we in the North are making a global difference,” he stated.
The Professional Award was presented to Groen Gas Westerkwartier for their innovative chain approach in which cattle manure is fermented and upgraded into green gas, creating both emission reduction and a new revenue model for livestock farmers.
Bottom-up movement
Following the award ceremony, a conversation took place with Kees Vendrik, Director of the National Climate Platform. He praised the region as an example of practice-oriented innovation and mentioned Noord-Nederland “The best classroom in the Netherlands.” According to Vendrik, practice is the most important learning environment for the energy transition.
The strength of the energy transition lies precisely in the bottom-up movement, as Vendrik points out: initiatives originating from residents, businesses, knowledge institutions, and regional collaborations.
Show how it should be done. That is exactly what these times need.
- Kees Vendrik
The program is open
After this spectacular opening, the introduction of Aniek Moonen, and the contributions of Harm Edens and Kees Vendrik, the sixth edition of the New Energy Forum officially got underway.
About New Energy Forum
The New Energy Forum is the festival for (upcoming) mobility and energy professionals and everyone concerned with a livable future. It is an annual initiative of ours (New Energy Coalition), Entrance, Hanze, and Hive Mobility at the Entrance testbed on Zernike Campus Groningen. During the festival, the Entrance Award will also be presented: the premier prize for pioneers in the energy transition.
On June 18, 2026, Groningen was once again the vibrant center of the energy and mobility transition during the New Energy Forum. This unique event, which has now seen six successful editions, is much more than a traditional conference. It is the most distinctive energy festival of Noord-Nederland and is unique in its form due to the combination of content, meeting, and experience with this edition as. This edition was entirely dedicated to what you as an individual do to make a difference in the energy transition.