Buildings & Infrastructure

Energy in the built environment

The built environment in our country must be energy-neutral by 2050. Building & construction will contribute to making our society more sustainable by 2050 through:

• the building of new, energy-neutral or even energy-producing houses
• sustainable renovation of existing housing and offices
• the creation of the necessary networks and local energy infrastructure for this purpose
• making the residential and office building sectors fully circular.

Read more about energy in the built environment.

Infrastructure

The existing infrastructure is becoming obsolete. Through innovation and research TNO contributes to the maintenance, repair and renovation of the existing infrastructure. TNO thus contributes to future-proof roads, locks, bridges and tunnels.

Read more about infrastructure.

Building quality, innovation and field labs

Many innovative ideas are generated in the building & construction industry. By sharing knowledge and providing advice, TNO helps to make these ideas a reality. We work together with our partners and customers in field labs. Good examples of this are:

• Monitoring systems on the Brienenoord Bridge and Bridge 705 in Amsterdam to determine the remaining lifespan of bridges.
• BuildinG in Groningen, where work is being done with Hanze University of Applied Sciences on the development of reinforcement techniques for earthquake-resistant construction.
• Nero Zero house in Heerhugowaard, where innovative ventilation and climate systems are demonstrated for affordable energy-neutral housing.

Read more about building innovation.

GREENHOUSE HORTICULTURE

The Dutch greenhouse sector is at the forefront of the construction of high-tech horticultural greenhouses for fresh vegetables and flowers. High-tech greenhouses are in themselves becoming an important export product, in addition to the vegetables and flowers that grow in them. TNO supports the greenhouse construction sector with knowledge and innovations to strengthen its leading position in the world.

Read more about greenhouse horticulture.

Sensors developed by TNO to listen to crack propagation