Prince Carlos of Spain kicks off Green Village TU Delft

The Green Village will initially consist of 20 to 40 used shipping containers which are being converted into labs, workplaces, restaurants, shops and meeting places. The containers are not connected to electricity, water, sewer or cable, but use innovative, experimental energy systems that are tested on the spot by the university and companies.

It will become a lifely, green and visible 'village' where students, scientists, business people, entrepreneurs and other interested parties can meet. The Green Village project is an initiative of the professor in the field of Future Energy Systems and sustainable energy entrepreneur Mr. Ad van Wijk.

The Green Village is expected to be built in 2013. Direct Current BV assists the Green Village with its knowledge on DC.

On June 7th, TU Delft launches the project 'Green Village': students and researchers from TU Delft are working closely together with companies to build a sustainable shipping container village on the university campus. The initiator is a professor of Future Energy Systems and Renewable Energy entrepreneur Ad van Wijk: "There are tens of thousands of shipping containers in the Netherlands rusting away. We reuse them and build them into attractive spaces, meeting places, a restaurant and labs. Initially, we place 20 to 40, but the number could grow to more than 100 containers. "The Green Village is not connected to electricity, water, sewer and cable. It uses innovative, sometimes experimental, energy systems, which will be developed by businesses, students and researchers. The electricity comes from solar panels, wind turbines and fuel cells. Drinking water is produced from rainwater. Waste water is recycled and processed into biogas and the village uses a DC-net (direct current) to prevent energy losses. LED lighting in walls, bridges, buildings and products provides lighting, atmosphere and signaling systems simultaneously. Students also think about smart windows that are simultaneously used as blinds, LED lighting and TV, the use of materials causing the walls to save energy and elevators without cables. The research information will be used by Ad Van Wijk for modeling and testing renewable energy systems.

The Green Village is a temporary lab which may be used by companies especially. They can buy or rent a shipping container as a workplace, showroom or facility for testing their energy, product or service in a practical situation. They may also benefit from the presence of the researchers and students of TU Delft. Ad van Wijk: "And vice versa. The best ideas often come from real life situations. We can use this to our advantage at TU Delft." Direct Current BV is one of the partners of the Green Village.

For more information, visit www.thegreenvillage.org