Secretary of State Stientje Van Veldhoven visited DENS and Brainport Smart District (BSD) on November 30, to see how circular construction takes shape in practice. Because of the applicable corona regulations, this visit took place digitally. Van Veldhoven was impressed by the various innovations that are being created in Helmond. "We should not miss any opportunity to actively support the circular energy transition within the construction sector. The innovations developed within BSD and DENS contribute to the gigantic leap in scale we are facing. I am happy to take up the gauntlet to help smart innovations reach maturity, together with the partners involved, so that they can eventually be applied on a larger scale," said the Secretary of State.
In an online meeting, Van Veldhoven, in the presence of alderman Cathalijne Dortmans, mayor Blanksma and Maxime Verhagen, president of Bouwend Nederland, talked to entrepreneurs Max Aerts and Tijn Swinkels of DENS. She got to see how DENS contributes to the Construction Site of the Future with the application of hydrozine. "Hydrozine, also known as formic acid, supplies gensets with sustainable power, completely free of harmful emissions and noise. With this, we contribute to a clean construction site and the reduction of harmful substances. In order to accelerate the energy transition in the construction sector, we found it relevant to be able to put our technology on the agenda with the State Secretary today," says Max Aerts, founder of DENS.
Living lab
After the discussion with DENS, the State Secretary was updated on the developments in Brainport Smart District. This newly developed district in Helmond is the place where sustainable innovations from the Brainport Region can land and partners dare to experiment together. The hydrozine aggregate from DENS will also be used in construction projects in Brainport Smart District and is one of the many components that together shape the innovative and circular character of the district. "Living labs like BSD are enormously important for the various transitions in the field of sustainability and circularity, among others, that we as country and region have to go through. Innovation funds and investments, national and international, are extremely relevant to test our innovative concepts, test them and adjust them where necessary," said Alderman Cathalijne Dortmans and also Chair of the Brainport Smart District Foundation.
About DENS
DENS is a young high-tech company, based at the Automotive Campus in Helmond, that develops sustainable aggregates on Hydrozine (formic acid). These Hydrozine "engines" can be used in generators and in a later stage in mobile applications. DENS is particularly aiming at application in the construction industry. The company will soon demonstrate the technology in the green arc project together with the construction company 'Voorbij foundationstechniek' and has previously done a pilot with the BAM. By developing a generator that can generate electricity without the emission of harmful emissions, DENS offers the smart answer to the current shrinkage and downtime in construction. With their sustainable generators, the company also gives concrete substance to the recently concluded Clean Air Agreement.
About Brainport Smart District
Brainport Smart District will be a smart residential and working district where the urban environment is designed in conjunction with new technologies for digitization, transport, health, energy generation and storage and circular construction. Residents will play an important role in the development of their own living environment. The district will be a real-life testing ground (living lab) for the development of new systems, processes and services that will find their applications in the redevelopment of existing districts, in a way that does not further burden, pollute or deplete our planet. Brainport Smart District will be realized in Helmond, in Brandevoort in the period 2019-2029.
