"Techport is a unique example in the region"

Merel van Luijk-Jonkman and Willem Jonkman, owners of technology company BTAC Solutions, want to be the pioneers in the transition to a more sustainable future. For their own generation, but especially for future generations: generation Y, Z and even Alpha. Six years ago, they therefore joined the Techport network. Merel: "We are quite active within Techport. For instance, we participated in the Hannover Messe and also recently visited Brainport in Eindhoven. We also work closely with schools in the region, offer internships and participate in the Techport Technology Week."

the greenhouse of the future

Besides developing the green battery, Merel and Willem are also working on other projects, such as their own tomato cultivation in the 'Greenhouse of the Future'. This greenhouse is completely self-sufficient by using solar energy and is equipped with advanced technology that measures the right amount of water, nutrition and light for the tomatoes down to the millimetre. Thanks to a UV system, the air is purified, so fungi and bacteria have no chance. This increases yields, prevents bad harvests and the grower has significantly lower personnel costs.

For this project, they worked closely with Inholland Alkmaar University of Applied Sciences and Techport. "This is a great example of how different courses within the college work together," says Willem. "We had a group of students from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and technical computer science who jointly developed an automatic tomato picking machine with smart sensors."

techport as a connector with a passion for transition

For the next 10 years, Merel and Willem want to see more action from engineering education. "You feel there is a lot of potential in the region: the greening, the development of the third energy port and the off-shore industry. Through construction and maintenance of wind farms. But still too often initiatives remain plans and ideas. We also need to take real action. You can slowly see the number of students increasing, but it is still not enough. Green thinking and conversion requires passion, and that involves risks. Techport is pre-eminently the party that can stimulate that and they can connect everyone in the region."