University of the North and European Hyperloop Center mark collaboration with declaration of intent

The University of the North and the European Hyperloop Center (EHC) have signed a declaration of intent. With this declaration of intent, both parties commit to a close collaboration in the field of teaching and research and take an important step forward in the development of the hyperloop. The declaration of intent was signed by Jouke de Vries and Bertrand van Ee, under the watchful eye of the hyperloop ecosystem at the Grand Event of the EHC in Veendam.

The collaboration is grounded in the exchange of knowledge and the promotion of collaboration at multiple educational levels, including secondary vocational education (MBO), university of applied sciences (HBO), and university (WO) level, in the Northern Netherlands; the joint execution of teaching and research projects; the sharing of research and testing facilities, and the promotion of cross-border collaboration between the Netherlands and Germany. In order to make these goals tangible, the parties are currently preparing an Interreg grant application and collaboration is being sought with knowledge institutions that have joined forces in the Innovationsraum Nordwest.

The hyperloop for fast and clean transport

A hyperloop is a transport system in which capsules carrying people or goods are shot through vacuum tubes at a speed of up to 1,000 kilometres per hour thanks to low air resistance. The energy consumption of this mode of transport is ten times lower than transport by road or plane. Veendam is the home base of the ultramodern European Hyperloop Center, a testing site and knowledge centre for testing and validating the hyperloop.

A pioneering position in hyperloop development

Jouke de Vries, Chair of the Board of the UG, and representing the University of the North, is pleased with the strengthening of the partnership with the European Hyperloop Center: ‘Everyone is well aware that we need to make our transport more sustainable. The development of the Hyperloop as a fast and clean means of transport plays an important role in this and offers the Northern Netherlands a unique opportunity to assume a pioneering role in this. With our world-class multilevel teaching and research, we are an important link in the development of the hyperloop and we are taking an important step forward in the mobility and transportation of the future.’

Successful initial test

At EHC’s Grand Event of 9 September, an initial test of the hyperloop vehicle was conducted through the first 90 metres of the 420-metre-long EHC facility, achieving a speed of 30 kilometres per hour. The next testing milestone is at 80/100 kilometres per hour and will hopefully be achieved in autumn.

About the European Hyperloop Center

The European Hyperloop Center is part of the Hyperloop Development Program; a public-private partnership between the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the province of Groningen, the municipality of Veendam, industry partners such as Hardt Hyperloop, and educational and knowledge institutions.