The sun in our logo visualizes generation of electric energy by the light of the sun and by the heat of the sun.

We believe in a world where electric energy plays a main role.


The power supply of the technology surrounding us, our transport and our heating.


This is the NEW ENERGY.


We want to get rid of the "old energy"; that is, the use of fossile fuels. We want a transistion to a world where all electric energy is generated by the sun and by means of smart technology can be used by each and everyone. In the video below, Jermey Rifkin (economist en visionary) explains exactly what we mean:



Below we explain how we think we could achieve that.

Generating electricity

Generating electricity is the base.

We have to make sure that all electricity is being generated from renewable sources.

At this moment in time, the easiest ways of doing that are wind turbines and solar cells.

There still are many obstacles to overcome but let's suppose we can generate our entire energy need in this way.

Then, the next problem emerges immediatly: the storage of this energy. When it's a sunny and windy day we will have a huge surplus of energy and when it's a night without wind we will have no energy at all.

We will have to pay a lot of attention to the storage of energy in order to maintain a steady supply of energy:

The storage of electricity

The most obvious way of storage is the use of batteries.

Lithium batteries have a high density of energy per kilo, a long life span and a very high efficiency.

Batteries are being used locally; in cars, houses or boats. So, how can they be used as storage for the huge power that is being generated on a sunny and windy day?

By connecting all these batteries in an intelligent way. Every battery communicates with the energy suppliers. In that way, all these small cells become one big network with a large combined storage capacity.


That is our vision for the near future.

Storage of electricity 2.0

We believe that the ultimate solution for storage lies in the application of hydrogen technology.

By means of electrolysis we make hydrogen gas out of water with the surplus power from our wind and solar installations.


This hydrogen is being stored for later use.


If the demand for energy gets higher than the production, we generate extra electricity by means of fuel cells supplied by the stored hydrogen.


That is our vision for the future.

Heating

So far, so good. Like this we won't need oil or coal for our energy supply.


Now, we have to stop using natural gas as well.


By means of a heat pump we heat our houses with electricity.

Vision is nice but is this all possible in reality?

We think so.

To prove that we will have look at the possibilities on a small scale. With the current technologies.

A few examples:

The "Energy Observer" project

In Cherbourg we visited the project "Energy Observer".


This former sailing race-catamaran is transferred to electric propulsion.

Between 2017 and 2023 this ship will sail around the world. Without the use of any fossile fuel.

Have a look at Energy Observer.org

The entire surface of the ship has been fitted with solar cells and there are 2 wind turbines.

The electric energy which is being generated in this way is being stored in lithium batteries and by means of electrolysis of seawater hydrogen gas is being made. This hydrogen is stored in tanks.

The ship is propelled by 2 electric motors of 40kW each. The energy for these motors is delivered by a powerful fuel cell fed by the stored hydrogen.

This project proves on a small scale that it is possible to sail fully autonomous, fully off-grid and without a drop of fossile fuel. And not a small distance but long legs over the world. See the legs here on Energy Observer.org.

The Electric Boating project of "Elfsteden Vaarvakanties Friesland" in The Netherlands

We took part in a project where old rental boats are being upgraded. The old diesel engines are being replaced by electric motors and all house systems are trasferred to electrics; like electric cooking, electric boiler, etc.


Have a look at Yachtcenter Langweer

The long roof of these boats is completely being fitted with solar cells. On a sunny day this generates about 1 kilowatt of energy. With this energy a set of lithium batteries is being charged.

It appears that about 6 kW is needed to give these heavy boats an acceptable speed (5 km/h). So, the solar yield is not sufficient to sail a daily track and in practise the boats are on shore power at night. Or the diesel generator assists in charging the batteries.

But it is clear that the rental company's slogan "sailng at solar energy" isn't bullshit because if we connect the solar energy directly to the motor, the boats sails at a speed of 2-3 km/h.

This project too, proves on a small scale that it is possible to sail autonomous, off-grid and without fossile fuels.

Only, with this surface of solar cells and a limited storage capacity of 400 Ah of lithium batteries, there are big limitations.

The sailing yacht "Dione IV"

Let's introduce myself: I am Wim Winkelmolen, the initiator and owner of New Energy.Today and I live on my sailing ship "Dione IV". Here, my inspiration for New Energy comes from and vice versa I implement the developments in the field of renewable energy here.

Because I often stay off-grid for a long time during journeys at sea it is even a necessity to generate energy from sun and wind.

At present, I have 4 solar panels on the roof of my deck house. In summer, in the Netherlands, this is sufficient for my entire energy need. I don't have to be sparingly with electric energy but I have to be conscious with the use of electricity. For instance, use the washing machine on a sunny day.

This is the case from april till september. In the winter months I have insufficient power from the solar cells. So I have to have another way of generating energy. That's why I have a small wind generator in the mizzen mast.

This wind generator with a rotor diameter of 1,6m generates a max of 600W. To have an average yield to cover my energy need I have to be moored at a windy place, though.

In times of insufficient sun and wind I have my batteries to supply the energy. I have 840Ah at 12v Lithium batteies from MG Energy on board.

By the application of all these technologies I cover my entire need of electricity on board. That has been frequently proved in practice: I have spend months on my acnchor or on a jetty without shore power and I didn't need my diesel generator or main engine to charge the batteries. Also during long voyages at sea, where the power consumption is even higher due to all instruments and auto pilot, the batteries always stay full by just wind and solar power.


For a small part of my propulsion (namely when I can't sail) and for my heating I still depend on diesel. I can't generate that much power from sun and wind.

This project too, proves on a small scale that it is possible to live off-grid.

So, everything that is possible on a small scale must also be possible on large scale.


But there is a lot to be done yet.

That's why we constantly think of new possibilities and development.

And we roll up our sleeves. Have a look here.