
Work in progress | Annemiek about the energy transition

The Brainport region is developing at lightning speed. This rapid growth brings both opportunities and challenges. At Brainport Development, we work every day to advance our region—economically as well as socially. We do this by connecting stakeholders, facilitating knowledge exchange, and lobbying in The Hague and Brussels. In this series, our team members share how they contribute to this mission. In this edition: Annemiek Bles, Energy Program Manager.
"Until recently, we thought of energy the same way we think of tap water it’s just there. But those days are over. It’s crucial that we begin to see energy as a resource something to purchase, store, and use when needed. This shift requires a new mindset among businesses, as well as innovative solutions. And that happens to be exactly where our region excels."

Take Brabetech, for example a startup developing a thermal battery based on molten salt. It enables the storage and later use of sustainably generated heat. Another example is IBIS Power, which is creating a smart energy system that can be installed on buildings and harnesses both wind and solar power. Our region leads the way in developing these types of innovations. There’s a lot of work underway on new technologies for energy generation, storage, and intelligent usage also within our knowledge institutions. For instance, the EASI Institute at TU/e is researching how to apply AI in energy systems.
As Energy Program Manager, I help bring these innovative ideas to market. I do that in several ways: by connecting companies, facilitating collaboration projects, and advising startups and student teams whom I also enjoy giving a platform at events, trade fairs, or online. What helps is that, like my Brainport colleagues, I operate independently. This encourages companies to share information openly, allowing me to quickly identify where new opportunities lie.

I’m proud of the spirit of collaboration that defines the Brainport region especially in the energy sector. For example, eleven municipalities, Brainport Development, and the Eindhoven Metropolitan Region have joined forces in a so-called 'coalition of the willing' to establish energy hubs. In these hubs, multiple companies on a business park collaborate to generate, store, share, and use energy smartly. Municipalities share knowledge and experiences to speed up energy hub development on business parks in places like Veldhoven, Son & Breugel, Nuenen, and Best. A specially appointed energy hub coordinator supports the business parks throughout the process. This is a true team effort, where we all learn from one another.
What drives me in my work? This topic genuinely excites me. I get to work every day on the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable alternatives. On top of that, I can make a local impact and respond directly to the region’s needs. What could be more rewarding than that?