Building Energy Academy Europe opens in style

On Wednesday afternoon, 17 May 2017, the new building of the University of Groningen’s Energy Academy Europe (EAE) was opened in a spectacular way. After the official opening ceremony by King’s Commissioner René Paas, acrobats unfolding three huge banners descended from the ceiling of the transparent hall of the new building on the Zernike Campus Groningen.

President of the Board of the UG Prof. Sibrand Poppema: ‘The value of multidisciplinary research, teaching and innovation in the field of energy transition is considered increasingly important. The University of Groningen is offering all manner of space and opportunities in this remarkably sustainable building. The Energy Academy Europe building will be the ideal home for knowledge development and the accelerated transition from fossil fuels to completely renewable alternatives.’

The secretary-general of the European Energy Research Alliance, Adel El Gammal MSc, spoke about energy transition in a European perspective and the international importance of the EAE. The King’s Commissioner mentioned the value of regional sustainable energy initiatives. He also spoke about the increasing need for energy innovation to strengthen the economic development of Groningen and the rest of the Northern Netherlands.

Businesses, teaching and science all work jointly on research and innovation in the field of energy in the ambitious EAE building on the Zernike Campus Groningen. In order to realize its extremely sustainable energy goals, the building has a special transparent construction with a natural ventilation system. The roof is completely covered with solar panels. The 15,000 m² building was handed over in autumn 2016 and soon after won the prestigious BREEAM Award 2017.

Funding, design and construction

The iconic building was partly funded by the Northern Netherlands Provinces Alliance (SNN), the Province of Groningen and the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The design for the Energy Academy Europe building was created by:

• broekbakema
• pvanb architecten
• Ingenieursbureau Wassenaar
• DGMR
• ARUP
• dr. heinekamp
• ICS adviseurs

The construction team comprised: Friso/Koopmans Bouwgroepcombinatie, ENGIE, UNICA, Wesemann and One Solar.

Watch the video on the Energy Academy Europe building below.