SPARKLES – TOOLBOX SPARKLES is an interdisciplinary research project at the Hanzehogeschool Groningen (Hanze). The project focuses on the responsible, large-scale deployment of floating solar panels (Floating PV) on inland waters. Toolbox Students will learn for example to: Understand FPV technology …

Background. Between 20% and 35% of registered youth players disengage from amateur football clubs within any given season, most without formally withdrawing. Volunteer coaches, who average four to six hours per week on coaching activity, identify individual player feedback as the task they most frequently …

Increased activity of the European beaver (Castor fiber) presents a growing structural threat to regional flood defenses in the Netherlands due to extensive burrowing. Flemish Waerways Beaver Experts did not expect this high of beaver activity and the only sustainable solution against them so far was …

The success of the energy transition will depend not only on the rapid deployment of zeroemission technologies, but also on the expansion of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydrogen. Equally important is meaningful engagement with the communities affected by this transition. Despite …

This study investigates the integration of biochar production with CCS as a hybrid biomass-based CDR pathway that could enhance net carbon sequestration while reducing pyrolysis-related CO2 emissions. Biochar and BECCS are often treated as separate options, even though they rely on similar biomass supply …

Explainability of AI systems is branded as a solution to the black box problem. The EU AI Act introduces AI explainability as a requirement for high-risk AI systems, including a right to explanation. However, understanding the wording of the requirements and the related provider and deployer obligations …

CO₂ emissions from electricity generation in the Netherlands fluctuate on an hourly basis, depending on which power plants are active in the energy mix. Accurate next-day forecasts of these emissions would enable companies to align energy consumption with low emission periods, but reliable forecasting …

Local energy transitions are promoted as means to achieve decarbonization, ensure democratic participation by local communities in energy decision-making, and foster social acceptance of renewable energy projects. However, despite the growing maturity of energy technologies and increased policy support, …

Native European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) reefs have strongly declined in the Dutch Delta, motivating restoration efforts that use engineered substrates to support settlement and early reef development. In Lake Veere, Project Asta tests the Mother Reef concept: biodegradable clay blocks that are conditioned …

Power-to-X technologies play a crucial role in accelerating the energy and material transition. A key opportunity lies in integrating these systems with existing bio-based infrastructures such as anaerobic digesters, providing a reliable source of biogenic carbon. Developing effective Power-to-Methanol …