Innovative Ideas from California to the Netherlands and Back

The California Energy Commission and the Province of Noord-Holland in the Netherlands agreed this week to exchange information and collaborate on innovative technology in transportation. The Energy Commission is particularly interested in SolaRoad, a Netherlands project that will convert sunlight on roads into electricity. The Province has its eyes on California’s public-private partnership models for electric vehicle charging stations and high-tech transportation networks. Both California and the Dutch province are seeking to reduce greenhouse gases by 2050. Past research missions between the two governments led to the agreement. Energy Commissioner Janea A. Scott, lead commissioner on transportation, met Vice-Governor Elisabeth Post of Province Noord-Holland in October 2014 in the Netherlands.





“This is an exciting partnership with our friends in the Netherlands who, like California, are leading the way in transportation energy policy and technology innovations that are helping to meet our shared climate and clean air goals,” said Commissioner Scott.

Vice-Governor Post said, “California is the e-Mobility leader in the United States. The Province is very pleased to be connected with California and is more than willing to share our leadership experiences with SolaRoad and Smart Mobility.”

Commissioner Scott and Peter van Deventer, diplomatic liaison on behalf of the Province, signed the memorandum of understanding at the Energy Commission’s Business Meeting March 11.