“Twelve Months Sustainable” Two entrepreneurs, Jorn Huiskamp and Hans van Enck, had enthusiastically called together a group of interested friends and business relations to launch their initiative to transform ideas about sustainability into concrete action. Their specialities primarily lie in what can be done to green the built environment. They aim at effective and economically feasible solutions for implementing sustainable energy and preventing unhealthy environments.

On 5 September two entrepreneurs operating from Apeldoorn opened their new company, dedicated to sustainable business. These entrepreneurs, Jorn Huiskamp and Hans van Enck, had enthusiastically called together a group of interested friends and business relations to launch their initiative to transform ideas about sustainability into concrete action. Their specialities primarily lie in what can be done to green the built environment. They aim at effective and economically feasible solutions for implementing sustainable energy and preventing unhealthy environments.

Their company, called Twelve Months Sustainable (12 MNDN Duurzaam) has its seat in the House of Today (Het Huis van Nu). There, it is planned to organise various meetings to share knowledge about sustainable solutions. Part of their services involve investing in solar panels, triple glass and making buildings saving on energy.

The company has asked me to be one of its advisers and by doing so laying a link with the research centre of WUAS. As professor in corporate sustainability, I gladly accepted this interesting possibility to connect theory and practice. During the opening ceremony I was given the opportunity to say a few words.  

In my speech I briefly explained the nature of the so-called circular economy and the Cradle to Cradle approach.  The circular economy cannot be realised overnight but it is quite possible to start working on it today. This is what Twelve Months Sustainable intends to do. Such a trajectory, I emphasized, requires ongoing innovation, for which the new company needs to find time and means. Working together with different partners in the region will open doors towards new ways of operating, in terms of technology and business models. In a previous talk with Jorn and Hans we had already discussed a few areas where we can start our collaboration.

I wish the new company a very successful take-off and a bright future. Where possible, I am certainly available to give support and contribute to some innovative projects.

Dr Teun Wolters

WUAS is currently involved in a number of research projects carried out from its research centre, based in Apeldoorn. Most notably is the current project entitled GREAT.

The GREAT (Growing Renewable Energy Applications and Technologies) project is an EU funded project under the INTERREG IVB NWE Programme. GREAT aims to encourage communities and small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) to develop technological solutions for Smart Grid, Renewable Energy and Distributive Generation; research and develop policy issues for regulatory authorities and provide structured co-operation opportunities between SMEs and research institutes / technology developers.

See The GREAT Project, a substantial research project in Growing Renewable Energy Applications and Technologies

WUAS’s growing research team is also developing an increasing amount of smaller research projects that are directly involving students, both at Bachelor and Master level, and this year will launch its first PhD supervision programme in collaboration with its main partner, the University of Brighton.

WUP 9/9/2014

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