Laatste nieuws in green
Netherlands Faces Limited Options for Agricultural Fertilizer Relief Under EU Rules
Wageningen, Friday, 13 February 2026.
Dutch experts conclude that designating non-vulnerable agricultural zones is nearly impossible, dealing a significant blow to farmers seeking fertilizer regulation relief. Despite 60% of coastal waters being potentially eutrophic and nitrate concentrations exceeding EU standards in sandy regions, the Committee of Experts on Fertilizer Law found most of the Netherlands must remain under strict EU Nitrate Directive controls, eliminating hopes for more flexible fertilizer application rules that could ease pressure on struggling agricultural sectors.
European Project Targets 1000V Technology to Cut EV Charging Times
Amsterdam, Thursday, 12 February 2026.
The ODYSSEV project launched in early 2026 represents a breakthrough in electric vehicle technology, advancing high-voltage systems beyond 1000V to dramatically reduce charging times. Led by Dortmund University and funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe program, this 42-month initiative aims to make EVs more practical for everyday use through lighter vehicles and higher efficiency.
Dutch Entrepreneur Creates First Seaweed Refinery to Combat Agricultural Nitrogen Crisis
Netherlands, Thursday, 12 February 2026.
Nikki Spil’s groundbreaking seaweed refinery in Beverwijk produces biostimulants that increase crop yields while reducing artificial fertilizer dependency. Field tests show remarkable results, with tomato yields jumping 18 percent and grassland production rising by 0.75 tonnes per hectare. The innovation addresses the Netherlands’ strict nitrogen emission regulations by helping crops absorb soil nutrients more efficiently, potentially revolutionizing sustainable agriculture and creating circular solutions for environmental challenges.
Dutch Energy Giant and Government Fund Invest in Circular Battery Pioneer
Amsterdam, Wednesday, 11 February 2026.
Greenchoice and Invest-NL have backed Zhero Systems, which transforms used lithium-ion cells into new energy storage systems, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional battery manufacturing that relies on polluting mines and costly recycling.
University Creates Photo App to Document Climate Change Through Seasonal Nature Tracking
Wageningen, Tuesday, 10 February 2026.
Wageningen University’s innovative GrowApp captures year-round visual changes on campus to build scientific evidence of climate change impacts on natural cycles. The digital tool creates compelling photographic documentation showing how environmental shifts affect seasonal patterns, providing both research data and powerful visual proof of climate change effects that anyone can understand and observe.
Scientists Create Hydrogen Fuel Using Only Liquid Metal, Sunlight, and Seawater
Netherlands, Tuesday, 10 February 2026.
University of Sydney researchers achieved a breakthrough by producing green hydrogen using liquid gallium, concentrated sunlight, and seawater—eliminating the need for expensive pure water. The process reached 98% efficiency even on cloudy days and offers a circular system where gallium can be recovered and reused. This innovation addresses key challenges in scaling hydrogen production, potentially making it competitive with fossil fuels while utilizing abundant seawater resources.
China's Flying Wind Turbine Successfully Powers National Grid from 2000 Meters Above Ground
Beijing, Monday, 9 February 2026.
Chinese engineers achieved a world-first breakthrough in renewable energy by successfully connecting an airborne wind turbine to the national power grid while hovering at 2000 meters altitude.
AI System Tracks Icebergs From Birth to Breakup, Revealing Hidden Climate Impact
Global, Sunday, 8 February 2026.
British Antarctic Survey scientists developed AI that automatically tracks icebergs throughout their entire lifecycle, creating detailed ‘family trees’ by linking fragments back to parent icebergs. This breakthrough fills a major gap in climate research, as melting icebergs release massive freshwater volumes that reshape ocean currents and affect global climate patterns. Previously, only large named icebergs could be tracked manually, leaving thousands of smaller fragments unmonitored. The system analyzes satellite imagery to solve a ‘digital jigsaw puzzle,’ matching geometric shapes of ice fragments. Data feeds into global climate models like NEMO, improving predictions as polar ice loss accelerates. The technology also enhances maritime safety by predicting iceberg movements in polar shipping routes.
Netherlands Pioneers Smart Energy Hubs to Solve Critical Grid Capacity Crisis
Amsterdam, Saturday, 7 February 2026.
Noord-Holland launches innovative Smart Energy Hubs where businesses form cooperatives to share electricity connections and coordinate energy usage, creating desperately needed grid capacity for economic growth. With 21 active hubs currently supported by ROM InWest, companies can reduce peak demand by up to 80% through smart coordination, while also sharing waste heat between facilities. This groundbreaking approach addresses the Netherlands’ severe grid capacity shortage that threatens business expansion and positions the province as a global leader in collaborative energy solutions.