Our people

I completed both my Bachelor and Master Biotechnology studies at Wageningen University, where I did my graduation internship at ACRRES. After this internship I could continue in one effort as a researcher at ACRRES in the field of upgrading waste streams. I like to approach new challenges with an enthusiastic and open attitude. With my broad background as a biotechnologist, I have a solid basis for tackling a variety of projects.

After completing my studies bio(process) technology & biosystems engineering at Wageningen University, I started at ACRRES as researcher in the field of sustainable energy, green raw materials and closing nutrient cycles. Within these subjects I work on a large variety of topics. In addition to my substantive knowledge on several topics i can also apply my broad technical and modelling capacities in my work.

Since 2016 I am involved in ACRRES as project leader for projects related to renewable energy. In the 3-year EU project Energykeeper a new type of redox flow battery combined with a newly developed energy management system is tested at our ACRRES smart grid test site. In addition I coordinate the 4-year PPP ‘Landbouw als vliegwiel voor de energietransitie’ in which we want to strengthen the role of agriculture in the energy transition process. This PPP is aimed at the technological, economic and social innovations that are required for this process.

After studying biology in Groningen I did my PhD thesis at the ETE group of Wageningen University and Research on sewage sludge reduction by aquatic worms. I have worked for nine years at water technology institute Wetsus in Leeuwarden to bring this topic closer to practice, increasingly in a more biobased and broader context: Next to be useful for the breakdown of organic waste invertebrates like worms and insects can be used as animal feed (e.g. for farmed fish) to replace less sustainable feedstocks.

At ACRRES, back at Wageningen University and Research, I work as researcher/project leader on different topics related to the valorization of low-value biomass for higher value applications. These are for example projects on algae and aquatic biomass, biopolymers and the production of invertebrates on organic (waste) streams.

I have worked at Wageningen UR (Applied Plant Research division) since 1991, and in recent years as a management assistant to the ACRRES team. Amongst other things you can contact me for the ACRRES-newsletter, website, events and ACRRES research reports.

With more than 18 years of professional experience I am a very experienced project leader in a broad field of topics, a real all-rounder. Crucial in this is the development of projects on sustainable energy technologies. In recent years the focus is on wind energy and smart grid solutions. I am active in the highly complex scale-up of wind turbines in the Dutch province of Flevoland and in project development in the field of intelligent future electricity networks, so called smart grids. In addition, I am the manager of three wind parks and the wind test site of Wageningen University and Research. I am an innovator. By combining a result driven with a creative attitude I strive for the discovery of new possibilities.

My role is the development and technical management of the bioethanol plant, the algae greenhouse and other installations at the test site. By using my extensive installation technology and process knowledge I participate in developing, adapting and realising the test facilities and regular facilities for the efficient use of green resources. I am the primary contact for the technical management of the following installations:
– Bio-ethanol plant
– Combined Heat and Power
– CO2 dosing equipment
– Algae greenhouse installations
– Six research basins and thermal energy storage systems

I work at ACRRES on market, (business) economics and sustainability (LCA, LCC, sLCA) topics. In ACRRES’ co-innovation projects I can contribute to a full evaluation of all sustainability aspects, in other words in terms of environment, economy and society. In addition to my work for ACRRES I am active as a volunteer at Pioniers van de Toekomst and Energie Pioniers Noordoostpolder. Pioniers van de Toekomst is an initiative to stimulate sustainable operations. Energie Pioniers is an energy cooperation for the Noordoostpolder in the Dutch province of Flevoland and its surroundings.

As senior project manager at ACRRES, I initiate new projects and oversea the further development thereof, together with others, in the broad field of innovation in the renewable energy, the production of green materials and the closing of cycles. I am particularly concerned with:
Co-innovation with companies;
Valorisation of waste flows through alternative crops of algae, aquatic plants and insects.

Additionally I am a specialist advisor in the landbouwcommissie (Agriculture Committee) of the COGEM (advisory body on genetic modification) and I use my agronomic expertise in the field of plant protection, including weed control and sustainable cultivation of maize and soil.

From the start of ACRRES I have been investing in several ways in ACRRES’ success: both as project leader and project developer. I have witnessed the growth of ACRRES from a pioneering organisation into a highly motivated research team that is involved in an array of topics in the biobased and circular economy together with companies. I am mainly involved in small-scale biorefinery projects and opportunities for profitable crosslinks between agriculture and chemistry, materials and energy sectors. The best of all is that sustainability goals can be reached to a high extent with these developments.