Construction new building for energy institute DIFFER has started in Eindhoven
On Monday 16 September 2013 the construction of the new laboratory for the FOM Institute of fundamental energy research DIFFER officially started. After a word of welcome by the province of North Brabant, Professor Hans van Duijn (rector magnificus of Eindhoven University of Technology) and Dr. Wim van Saarloos (director FOM) held the official ceremony in the afternoon to mark the start of the construction activities. The new building on the campus of Eindhoven University of Technology will be the most sustainable of its type.
FOM Institute for fundamental energy research DIFFER
Under the motto Science for future energy, the scientists and technicians from DIFFER are doing fundamental research to develop the energy of the future. DIFFER is currently located in Nieuwegein.
In the new building on the Eindhoven campus, DIFFER can expand the existing experiments into fusion energy and there is plenty of space for the new line of research into solar fuels: sustainable energy storage in artificial fuels. DIFFER also wants to play a connecting role within Dutch energy research. From the Eindhoven campus, the institute will set up partnerships with Dutch research institutions and industry. The institute will relocate to Eindhoven in 2015.
Sustainable new building
DIFFER wants to realise the most sustainable laboratory building in the Netherlands according to the principles of the BREEAM sustainability hallmark 'excellent'. These principles will be most visible in the long east and west wings of the building. Here the design of the facade will prevent heating up by the sun while at the same time optimising the view and incoming daylight. Thanks to a jagged profile sunscreens will not have to be provided for the entire facade. Other measures include the use of triple glazing and placing photovoltaic cells on the roof. DIFFER hopes to acquire a BREEAM Excellent certificate for both the office and laboratory parts of the building.
Partners
DIFFER is one of the three research institutes of the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM). FOM is part of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). The new building has been made possible with contributions from the FOM Foundation, NWO and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The Province North Brabant, SRE and Eindhoven city council are contributing to the relocation costs.
Follow the construction activities
Through a webcam via the DIFFER website , you are able to follow the progress of the construction activities of the new DIFFER building.
Contact
FOM Institute DIFFER, Gieljan de Vries, press officer DIFFER, +31 (0)30 609 69 02.
Eindhoven University of Technology, Barry van der Meer, press officer Eindhoven University of Technology, +31 (0)40 247 40 61.