The wind doesn’t always blow and the sun doesn’t always shine. These are the problems for sustainable energy that a new 24/7 Energie Lab set up by Delft University of Technology hopes to solve.

In 2018, the Dutch government said that all new builds need to be provided with a non-gas-based energy supply, in order to reduce reliance on Groningen and meet climate change goals, and now the pressure is on to do the same with existing housing stock.

As part of ‘The Green Village’ lab, Delft is using real homes, residents and users to understand how they could be supplied with emissions-free energy, to meet their needs, at acceptable prices – and, not least, in the current buildings.

Former dean, prof John Schmitz, one of the supporters of the project, said: ‘At Delft University of Technology, hundreds of scientists are working on the energy transition. If we combine everything in one project and bring together our know-how, it can really benefit society. The Green Village is a unique place and opportunity to do this.’