21 May 2012: The Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), with the aim of increasing cooperation in the areas of wind energy, carbon capture and bioenergy.

The MOU provides a framework for joint research projects and exchange of information and scientific personnel, with the expectation of identifying issues for technical cooperation by using the specific expertise of both organizations. Paul Korting, CEO of ECN, and Alex Tong, Vice President of ITRI, noted similar challenges facing the Netherlands and Taiwan in terms of energy strategy and the strong focus in both countries on the development of clean energy policies and industries.

ECN and ITRI are both leading research institutes in their home countries focused on sustainable energy technologies and systems, and industrial technology development and policies, respectively. ECN is also an associate member of the Global Network on Energy for Sustainable Development (GNESD), a UN Environment Programme (UNEP) facilitated knowledge network on energy, development and environment issues. [ECN Press Release]