Innovative ideas NRG Battle lead to potential realisation of sustainable ice rink: Ice Valley.

Groningen - March 4, 2011. Sustainability, innovation and energy where the keywords
during the International NRG Battle in the FC Groningen stadium, Euroborg. 24 student
teams geared up under the supervision of professional case instructors to meet,
compete and innovate with 11 different challenging cases on the 3rd International NRG
Battle. The teams consisted of 5 multidisciplinary worked on important, complex energy
related cases by the end of the day the ideas would be pitched in front of a jury whom
consisted of CEO's and Directors from GasTerra, Siemens, Ecofys, Groningen Seaports
and Grontmij. The Jury President was Mr. Gertjan Lankhorst, CEO of GasTerra. The
cases varied from ballast water in the Netherlands most northern port, the Eemshaven
to sustainable street lighting in innovative municipalities. But also from body heat
generated energy to zero energy living. 5 finalist teams of Grontmij, GasTerra, E-on,
Light Challenge and Groningen Seaports were nominated to compete in the finals apart
from that 1 day winner was announced.

The winner of the first preliminary round of the International NRG Battle was won by
top students from Eindhoven and Groningen, this team designed the most sustainable
and energy efficient multifunctional Ice Rink in the world for Grontmij. The use of Algae
play an important part in making this Ice Rink sustainable, on the roof of the Ice Rink
they produce Algae oil which can be used as bio-fuel, that is then used to generate heat
and electricity. In this process proteins and nutrition's are produces that can be used
to produce high quality supplements for the food industry which is situated in the
neighbouring Food Valley in the region of Wageningen. Grontmij has high hopes that the
design of the students and the expertise of Grontmij in the field of energy can lead to a
realisation of the sustainable and energy efficient Ice Rink.

An international team from Groningen and Amsterdam came up with an innovative
solution to a challenging case regarding sustainable street lighting, which was provided
by three collaborating innovative municipalities and is called Light Challenge, it brought
them to the finals. Another international team from Groningen developed an interesting
marketing campaign for the new HRe boiler of GasTerra, their idea was nominated as
well for the finals on November 23rd 2011 during the Energy Delta Convention in the
Martiniplaza in Groningen.

From three preliminary rounds 15 teams will go through to the final. A camera team
from Green Dream Productions will follow the finalists and the winner of the finals
will get a documentary on National Geographic Channel about their winning idea. The
International NRG Battle was also active on Twitter within 5 hours #NRGBattle became
trending topic and a lot of interaction between companies and participants was a fact.
For many companies the International NRG Battle is a splendid opportunity to seek
innovative ideas and discover potential talent to recruit. For the students this event is
an interesting opportunity to get hands-on experience, present themselves towards

companies and network. All in all; a win-win situation for a sustainable future. - JS

For more information or possible questions, please contact Jan Schulte of StudentsMedia on
jan.schulte@studentsmedia.n or +31 (0)50 3171471 / +31 (0)3171471 / 06 24898398. When photo's are
published please refer and credit Zero Fotografie as photographer.