ANNUAL REPORT 2018 VISION ON TECHNOLOGY FOR A BETTER WORLD
VITO RESEARCH IN A MULTIDISCIPLINARY ENVIRONMENT
GOLD FOR VITO’S IP DEPARTMENT PEOPLE@VITO
Jasper Lefevere INNOVATION AWARD
CHANGE THE WORLD, CITY BY CITY
CITY-ZEN EU WINS AWARD
Sustainability experts launch book
Jan Brusselaers GREEN TALENT AWARD
VITO & SCIENCE VITO has a strong reputation in the Flemish and
European scientifi c communities and works together with
internationally renowned institutions.
VITO & COMPANIES VITO is working together with companies,
either directly or in partnership with industry networks such as
the spearhead clusters and employers’ organisations, to reduce the
risk of sustainable innovation for companies. In Flanders and by
extension internationally.
VITO CONNECTS
VITO CONNECTS
VITO focuses on 4 pillars
1. A system vision and approach to introduce new technologies:
Climate policy requires a system change in virtually all social
domains with a good integration of new technologies VITO is working
on today.
2. Shared fact-based insights: With its scientifi c expertise, VITO
is an independent player in fact-based reasoning and monitoring of
climate opportunities.
3. A proactive, constructive and connecting role: VITO wants to
proactively promote a constructive cooperation to realise climate
solutions. We want to bring together insights from stakeholders
from all sectors and social initiatives, translate them into
actions and focus on social acceptability and the central role of
the community.
4. Towards societal acceptance: a sustainable solution is only
ready if it is economically and socially accepted, and embedded in
the daily practice of companies, governments and citizens.
17
LAUNCH CENTER OF EXPERTISE DATA SCIENCE
VITO & SOCIETY VITO provides objective and scientifi c
information for policy makers and citizens in order to have an
impact on social debates on the transition to a sustainable society
and achieving climate goals.
VITO IN FIGURES
VITO IN FIGURES
Own Revenues Grants
VITO EXPANDS
NEW INCUBATOR SUSTAINABLE HEALTH IN THE KEMPEN REGION
Standing still is the same as going backwards. It is therefore only
natural that VITO is growing. But in order to fulfi l our mission,
we need to grow in all areas.
VITO EXPANDS 5
VITO LAUNCHES GAME APP RESOURCITY DURING SUPERNOVA
BOARD GAME RISK&RACE INTRODUCES STUDENTS TO CIRCULAR
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
If you are interested in Science, Technology, Engineering or
Mathematics (STEM), VITO is the right place for you. STEM consists
of a wide range of technological, technical, scientifi c and
mathematical training courses and professions. We need experts in
STEM, which is why VITO wants to stimulate young people’s interest
in one of the STEM disciplines.
STEM@VITO 6
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ACCELERATING TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION FOR THE SDGS @G-STIC
VITO SIGNS GREEN DEAL COMPANIES AND BIODIVERSITY
ONEPLANET@VITO BLOG | VITO BANS ALL DIESEL CARS BY THE END OF
2018
KICK-OFF VITO FOOD TEAM IN MOL!
ONEPLANET@VITO BLOG | WE ONLY HAVE ONE PLANET
ONEPLANET@VITO BLOG | SOLUTIONS THAT ARE SUSTAINABLE AND CREATE
ADDED VALUE
WE WALK THE TALK 7
SE TT
IN G
A G
O O
D E
X A
M P
8
Deep geothermal energy remains on the radar as a candidate for
sustainable energy. Since the start of the fi rst test drilling on
15 September 2015, much has been realised on the Balmatt
site.
For example, in August 2018, the third drilling well was fi
nalised. The well is 4 905 metres long and reaches a depth of 4 235
m at the top of the Devonian layer. The results of the well tests
have shown that well three differs from the expected outcome. The
researchers performed a seismic campaign in the well to better
understand the fl ow paths in the deep subsurface. Among other
things, on the basis of this, it is being studied how this third
well can be integrated into the geothermal roll-out.
The main activities on the Balmatt site are now focused on running
the geothermal energy plant for the heat supply of SCK-CEN,
Belgoprocess and VITO.
READ ALL ARTICLES ONLINE.
VITO DRILLS TO UN- PRECEDENTED DEPTHS
TURNING WASTE INTO VALUE
TURNING WASTE INTO VALUE
9
Every year, four billion tonnes of cement is used worldwide.
However, the production of cement causes a high degree of
pollution. If we can reduce the proportion of cement in production
processes and replace it with waste that would otherwise be
processed in an unsustainable way, we could kill two birds with one
stone. We could reduce cement production and thus CO2 emissions,
and give waste materials a sustainable future.
READ ALL ARTICLES ONLINE.
FROM INCINERATION ASHES TO CLINKER BRICKS
TOWARDS CONCRETE THAT IS SUSTAINABLE IN EVERY SENSE OF THE
WORD
PERSONALISED HEALTHCARE 10
The evolution in healthcare is almost phenomenal. New medicines are
making fatal diseases chronic. But the greatest benefi t to health
could be achieved if we could better predict who has an increased
risk of developing a condition, detect conditions more quickly, and
make medicines that are tailored to the patient. Preventive and
personalised medicine are the terms of the future.
READ ALL ARTICLES ONLINE.
‘I AM MY HEALTH’… VITO EMPLOYEES MAKE A PERSONAL CONTRIBUTION
FIRST INFO SESSION FOR PEOPLE OVER 60 ON BLADDER CANCER WELL
RECEIVED
THE MYSTERY OF EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES ...
EARLY DETECTION OF CHRONIC DISEASES WITH MONA
FACILITATING THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY 11
VITO helps to make the transition to a sustainable society.
Circular economy is a necessary condition and involves more than
simply reusing materials.
READ ALL ARTICLES ONLINE.
FACILITATING THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
RECOVERING VALUABLE METALS FROM WASTE
THE ROLE OF SELECTIVE WASTE COLLECTION EXPLAINED
2-DAY RISK&RACE GAME MANAGER TRAINING
SELECTIVE COLLECTION OF COMMERCIAL WASTE IN CITIES
VITO, GUIDE TO THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
CIRCUSOL: SOLAR POWER BUSINESS MODELS TOWARDS A CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN
EUROPE
SMART ENERGY GRIDS 12
Energy consumption not only varies during the day and at night, but
is also dependent on other factors such as the seasons. As a
result, there are peaks and troughs in energy consumption. It would
therefore be useful if we could use the energy we have left over at
peak times during off-peak times or if we could adapt our energy
consumption to these fl uctuations. What is more, we are no longer
merely energy consumers, but are also increasingly becoming energy
producers. In order to use this energy economically and
sustainably, we need smart applications.
READ ALL ARTICLES ONLINE.
RENNOVATES: RENOVATING USING SMART ENERGY CONTROL
EUROPE SHARES RENEWABLE ENERGY
EUROPEAN PROGRAMME RENNOVATES FOR ENERGY NEUTRAL DISTRICTS
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
13
A well-considered use of agricultural land means profi t for the
farmer, society and the environment alike. There are various tools
available to help the farmer with this.
WHEN THE HEAT GETS TOUGH
ARE YOU READY FOR THE GROWING SEASON? WATCHITGROW IS!
A SENTINEL SHAKE FOR EARLY CROP MAPPING
DRONES IN THE AIR FOR BETTER GRAIN IN THE FIELD
EO DATA FOR AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE
MONITORING POTATOES’ GROWTH AND HEALTH THROUGH ALL-WEATHER
CIRCUMSTANCES
READ ALL ARTICLES ONLINE.
CARBON CAPTURE AND REUSE 14
CO2, or carbon dioxide, is indispensable for life on earth. But too
much of it can be a bad thing. Mass CO2 emissions are now a threat
to our climate. Reducing emissions is one way of tackling the
problem. But we can also capture CO2 and use it in the production
of sustainable materials.
READ ALL ARTICLES ONLINE.
CARBON CAPTURE AND REUSE
CO2 AS VALUABLE, SUSTAINABLE RAW MATERIAL
REMOTE SENSING TECHNOLOGY
REMOTE SENSING TECHNOLOGY
15
Nothing speaks to the imagination like images of our earth from
space. The images our satellites take are simply stunning. But
there is a whole story behind these images – and the comparison of
images over time. VITO has been researching the earth from space
for 20 years now.
READ ALL ARTICLES ONLINE.
A SHOEBOX SIZE HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGER WITH EXTREME PERFORMANCE
HYPERSCOUT! A SMALL BOX WITH A BIG BRAIN
BIOMONITORING 16
How do outdoor and indoor environments affect our health? In order
to ascertain this, we need to measure certain parameters. Not only
in the environment, but also in the human body.
READ ALL ARTICLES ONLINE.
HUMANS AS COLLECTORS OF CHEMICALS
VITO, PARTNER IN A SCIENTIFICALLY BASED FLEMISH ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH POLICY
BATTERY TECHNOLOGY 17
Fossil fuels have one big advantage: you can store them and use
them when you need them. If we want to make the transition to other
forms of energy, we need to look for systems in which we can store
(renewable) energy effi ciently in batteries. What is more, we are
opting for batteries that are themselves more durable.
READ ALL ARTICLES ONLINE.
TOWARDS A FUTURE WITH LIGHTER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE BATTERIES
WITH EUROPE ON THE JOURNEY TOWARDS A GREEN BATTERY
SODIUM-ION BATTERY AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE LITHIUM-ION
BATTERY
PUNCH POWERTRAIN SOLAR TEAM OPTIMISES SOLAR RACE CAR WITH THE
BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF VITO/ ENERGYVILLE
SHARED KNOWLEDGE LEADS TO GREATER KNOWLEDGE
MAPPING CLIMATE CHANGE
MAPPING CLIMATE CHANGE
18
When we talk about our climate, we usually think of global climate
change that can impair our future. But climate is more than that.
Climate is also what surrounds us, the city in which we live, the
conditions in which we, as citizens, feel comforta- ble.
BELGIAN SCIENCE POLICY OFFICE (BELSPO) AND VITO SIGN AGREEMENT TO
FACILITATE THE USE OF REMOTE SENSING DATA
WALKABILITY ANALYSIS TOOL CALCULATES HOW WALKING-FRIENDLY A
NEIGHBOURHOOD IS
INTERNET OF WATER TO TACKLE GROWING WATER RISKS
CLIMATE-FIT.CITY: CLIMATE INFO AT CITY LEVEL
READ ALL ARTICLES ONLINE.
AIR QUALITY 19
Good air quality means a better quality of life. Rarely has there
been so much mention of air quality as there was in 2018. The
citizens’ survey ‘Curieuzeneuzen’ – for which VITO also made its
expertise available – was a major success. The initiative based on
civic participation has proven that there is widespread support for
the issue of air pollution. However, it is impossible to bring all
aspects of air quality under one heading and the approach to this
must be clarifi ed.
READ ALL ARTICLES ONLINE.
AIR QUALITY: A CLEAR PERSPECTIVE ON A COMPLEX PROBLEM
VITO HELPS BUILDING SCIENTIFIC BASIS OF THE NEW FLEMISH INDOOR
ENVIRONMENT DECREE
VITO MODEL FOR LOCAL AIR QUALITY IN AN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT
RELIABLE DATA FOR BETTER AIR QUALITY
AIRCRAFT AND ULTRAFINE PARTICULATES: BRUSSELS AIRPORT IS
INVESTIGATING
ALTERNATIVE FEEDSTOCK 20
We need to fi nd a solution to the mass use of fossil resources.
Not just because we realise that these resources are fi nite and
that we in Europe are very dependent on these, but also, and more
importantly, because fossil resources impose a heavy burden on the
climate. A burden for which we are increasingly paying the price,
so to speak.
READ ALL ARTICLES ONLINE.
FROM SUGAR TO NYLON
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY POLICY 21
The transition to sustainable energy will not happen by itself. We
need businesses that want to invest in its development, citizens
that are prepared to make the change and a government that will
create a legal framework in which this transition is
possible.
READ ALL ARTICLES ONLINE.
VITO AS KEY PARTNER FOR THE EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
EPOC 2030-2050 PROJECT FOR A SUSTAINABLE AND COST EFFECTIVE ENERGY
FUTURE IN BELGIUM
GREEN LIGHT FOR BREGILAB PROJECT
20 YEARS REMOTE SENSING
20 YEARS REMOTE SENSING
22
Twenty years ago a great adventure began that has only become
bigger and more meaningful. In 1998, VITO’s expert center for
remote sensing and atmospheric processes’ signed its fi rst
contract. In 2018, the now called VITO Remote Sensing department
celebrated its 20th anniversary.
READ ALL ARTICLES ONLINE.
20 YEARS OF VEGETATION MONITORING! WHAT’S NEXT?
REMOTE SENSING, BEYOND THE SCIENCE
TERRASCOPE HITS THE ROAD!
SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION
SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION
23
Any form of economic activity can be made more sustainable in one
way or another. But if there is one sub-economy where the circular
economy can be applied in a relatively simple way, it is in the
construction sector.
SUSTAINABILITY BECOMES A NEW FACTOR IN COMPETITION
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BUILDINGS
VISUALISE THE RENOVATION POTENTIAL OF YOUR CITY
ENERGY RENOVATION TOOL HELPS KBC CUSTOMERS SAVE ENERGY
CIRCULAR BUILDING OR LINEAR DIMINISHING
COZIE AND ENERGYVILLE/VITO INTRODUCE HOMEFIT
READ ALL ARTICLES ONLINE.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: ir. Ingrid Vanden Berghe
Members: prof. dr. Kurt Deketelaere, ir. Dirk Fransaer, mrs Elke
Van de Walle, mr Michel Meeus, mrs Claire Renders, ir. Ingrid
Vanden Berghe, mr Wim Van den Abbeele, mr Eric Vermeylen, mrs
Caroline Ven, ir. Marc Decorte, prof. dr. Isabel Van Driessche,
prof. dr. Luc De Schepper
Government Commissioners: mr Eric Sleeckx, mrs. Nele
Roobrouck
Observers: mr Frank Gérard (PMV), Wesley Boënne (VITO), mr Maarten
Spruyt (VITO)
On the 30th of April of 2019 prof. dr. Kurt Deketelaere replaced
Em. prof. dr. Harry Martens.
ABOUT VITO 24
MORE ABOUT VITO
© 2019 VITO NV – All rights reserved Although care has been taken
to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the
information provided, VITO assumes no responsibility therefore. The
user of the information agrees that the information is subject to
change without notice. VITO assumes no responsibility for the
consequences of use of such information, nor for any infringement
of third party intellectual property rights which may result from
its use. In no event shall VITO be liable for any direct, indirect,
special or incidental damage resulting from, arising out of or in
connection with the use of the information.
Responsible publisher Dirk Fransaer, Managing Director Design
Phobos & Actor Printing Antilope De Bie Printing
VITO NV Boeretang 200 BE 2400 MOL Tel.: +32 14 33 55 11
[email protected]
ANNUAL REPORT 2018 VISION ON TECHNOLOGY FOR A BETTER WORLD
VITO RESEARCH IN A MULTIDISCIPLINARY ENVIRONMENT
GOLD FOR VITO’S IP DEPARTMENT PEOPLE@VITO
Jasper Lefevere INNOVATION AWARD
CHANGE THE WORLD, CITY BY CITY
CITY-ZEN EU WINS AWARD
Sustainability experts launch book