‘We are seeking shared sustainable ambition’

‘Nuon is firmly convinced that innovation thrives best in a vibrant cooperative environment. But effective chemistry between two parties cannot be taken for granted. Market demand is a must. And the business partners must share a similar vision and (sustainable) ambition. In 2006 Nuon gained valuable experiences through cooperative innovation projects. The most eye-catching example, of course, is the wind farm we built with Shell in the North Sea. Less attention-grabbing but at least as innovative and instructive was the Nuon Cooling project. Since the hot summer of 2006, buildings located in the Amsterdam ‘Zuidas’ business district make use of renewable cooling with water from the ‘Nieuwe Meer’ lake. Overcoming the many obstacles required a major operation which could only be pulled off with support from numerous parties, including large corporations and the municipality. Fortunately, all concerned were very cooperative. The crux of innovation is not always the spectacular ‘new’ invention itself. Sometimes breakthroughs spring from new ways of thinking – such as fresh insights into the social function and environmental aspects of public lighting. To this end, Nuon subsidiary Dynamicom works together with universities and municipalities. Here too, the same rule applies: without a shared sustainable ambition and long-term vision, very little gets off the ground.’

Dirk Jansen, Director of Nuon Warmte
Wilfred Eleveld, Director of Dynamicom

This viewpoint is published in Sustainable Nuon 2006 magazine. In this magazine, the reader is guided through eight key issues that are currently confronting our sector and company; we explain our viewpoints and their relevance to the wider world. You can order the magazine through the order form on this website.