The Green Village

The idea is the brainchild of Dr. Ad van Wijk, a TU Delft professor in future energy systems who was recently named one of the most influential people in Delft. “There are around 700 scientists at TU Delft researching energy,” stated Van Wijk. “About three years ago when I came to Delft I was challenged to find a way to make their work more visible and to integrate the research that leads to more sustainable energy systems.”

What resulted is a collaboration between companies, academics, researchers and public organizations that are all interested in advancing sustainable technologies. According to the website, ’the Green Village concept unifies clever, imaginative strengths of scientists and entrepreneurs and turns ideas and visions into experiences and commercially viable products and services.’ The vision of this project centers around four missions that define the sustainable environment they are striving for. They include producing clean energy, clean water, clean air and using waste as a resource.

The village itself will be constructed over time from recycled and sustainable materials. Plans include space for what they call Future Labs, where cutting edge research and development can take place. Part of this involves an innovative idea to use fuel cell cars to produce energy and clean water for the facility. Other facilities will include the GreenTech Store, an event and exhibition area, a restaurant, office spaces and flexible working spaces.

And as for practicing what they preach, The Green Village will create a core of what they call engines to generate all the resources they need, including electricity, water and fuel. In addition, there will be systems to treat waste and convert it into a resource. The unique part about the engines is they will all be visible to the outside. Buildings and ducts will be transparent so that people can see how the systems work.

Van Wijk noted that the project is intended to span the next five to ten years. But ironically, he also said this experiment will never be finished as the village is sort of a living, evolving concept. “There will always be new technologies. The building of the future in two years will be a building of the past,” he stated.

For more information visit their website.