Entrance Research Award: research that advances the energy and mobility transition

Thursday, 18 June marked the very first presentation of the Entrance Research Award by Entrance – Centre of Expertise Energy. Rhea Kapoor and Jorrit Reede won first prize with their paper “NO More! Reducing Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Wastewater via Ammonia Electrolysis.” The award was presented during the New Energy Forum. Research into Ammonia Electrolysis Both Kapoor and Reede are researchers at Entrance – Centre of Expertise Energy, part of Hanze University of Applied Sciences. They conduct their research within the Sustainable Gases and Fuels research group, led by Professor Joàn Teerling. In their paper, “NO More! Reducing Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Wastewater via Ammonia Electrolysis,” Kapoor and Reede investigate how ammonia electrolysis can reduce nitrous oxide emissions in wastewater. Nitrous oxide – commonly known as laughing gas – is a greenhouse gas released during nitrogen removal processes at wastewater treatment plants. Addressing a Societal Challenge The jury praised Kapoor and Reede’s research for its combination of societal relevance, scientific quality, and practical applicability. Although it remains uncertain to what extent the laboratory results can be directly translated into real-world applications, the study convincingly demonstrates that electrolysis can achieve results comparable to biological ammonia removal. “The jury sees this as a promising solution to a socially significant challenge,” said Wim Elving, Chair and Secretary of the Entrance Research Award 2026. Runner-up and Third Prize The second prize (€1,000) was awarded to Sander Dijk, Marten van der Laan, and Joàn Teerling (Entrance), together with Bastiaan Meijer (Rendo) and Jerry Palmers (Coteq), for their paper “Active Flow Control in Low-Pressure Gas Distribution Networks to Enable Increased Biomethane Integration.” The research addresses a timely and practical challenge within the energy transition: the integration of biomethane into existing low-pressure gas distribution networks. The third prize (€500) was awarded to Lucas Christopher Mandl-Ehmann (Hanze University of Applied Sciences and the Institute of Networked Energy Systems at the German Aerospace Center (DLR)) for his paper “From MENA to Europe: System-Optimal Hydrogen and Synfuel Trade under Infrastructure and Financing Constraints.” This research provides valuable insights into the further development of sustainable energy infrastructure and makes a meaningful contribution to the European policy debate. Recognising Research with Impact With the Entrance Research Award, we aim to recognise research that not only generates new knowledge, but also contributes to practical applications and delivers societal impact. Researchers will once again be able to submit their papers for the Entrance Research Award 2027 next year. An independent jury will assess all submissions and select three winners. Prize money will amount to €1,500 for the best paper, €1,000 for the runner-up, and €500 for third place.

Entrance Professional Award: Who will win this year's energy transition prize worth €100,000?

Groen Gas Westerkwartier B.V. has won the Entrance Professional Award 2026 during the annual New Energy Forum. The company stood out for its integrated value-chain approach, transforming cattle manure into a sustainable solution for energy, climate, and nitrogen-related challenges. Zavhy and Emission-0. received the second and third prizes respectively. Groen Gas Westerkwartier Groen Gas Westerkwartier B.V. has developed an innovative value-chain approach in which cattle manure is transformed into a sustainable solution for energy, climate, and nitrogen-related challenges. By biologically acidifying manure, digesting it, and processing it into tailor-made fertilisers, the company produces green gas locally that can be injected directly into the existing gas grid. At the same time, emissions of ammonia, methane, and CO₂ are reduced, the mineral cycle remains closed, and livestock farmers gain access to a new revenue model. A key strength of the approach is its ability to measure and validate emission reductions throughout the entire value chain. Working on a Groundbreaking Innovation? Is your organisation developing a breakthrough innovation that accelerates the energy transition? Nominate your organisation—or an innovator you believe deserves recognition—for the Entrance Professional Award 2027.

Entrance Student Award 2026: encourage tomorrow's pioneers

Hanze student Phillip Peters has won the Entrance Student Award 2026 during the annual New Energy Forum in Groningen. He impressed the jury with his research into mini-energy systems in regions where investment remains limited. Students Rhea Kapoor and Jelle Kemperman received the second and third prizes respectively. Research into Mini-Energy Systems Phillip Peters investigated how investment can be attracted to mini-energy systems in refugee camps by reducing the risks for investors. The case study for his research was the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. Peters explains the project best himself in the video below. Three Winners The three winning students stood out on several of the jury’s evaluation criteria: impact, innovation and creativity, applicability, and presentation. As the overall winner, Peters received the top prize of €1,500. The second prize (€1,000) was awarded to Rhea Kapoor for her master’s thesis on ammonia electrolysis in wastewater. Kapoor was an exchange student from Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg. The third prize (€500) went to Jelle Kemperman, a Hanze student in Industrial Product Design. His research focused on greywater storage in artificial dwelling mounds (terpen). You can watch the videos submitted by the winners at the bottom of this article. Who Are the Pioneers of Tomorrow? Submit your entry next year and showcase your innovative ideas for a more sustainable future.

Entrance Awards: breaking barriers with boldness and innovation

Entrance Research Award: research that advances the energy and mobility transition

Entrance Professional Award: Who will win this year's energy transition prize worth €100,000?

Entrance Student Award 2026: encourage tomorrow's pioneers