Energy research Center the Netherlands ECN concludes agreement with venture capital fund Planet Capital Petten, April 5, 2002 Energy research Center of the Netherlands (ECN) and venture capital fund Planet Capital announced today that they have concluded an agreement that delineates the role for Planet Capital in evaluating the opportunities for commercialization of energy technology created at ECN and in establishing and financing commercial spin-offs based on ECN technology. ECN's research and development mission is to contribute to the more efficient use of energy, advance the introduction of renewable energy systems and stimulate the clean and efficient use of fossil fuels. Active pursuit of these research themes will lead to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. ECNÕs research is targeted at finding solutions for both the shorter and the longer-term problems. Working in close collaboration with industry, ECN's position as a developer of energy innovations enhances the synergy between free market processes and sustainability. As an international knowledge center, ECN builds up new knowledge in the field of energy together with universities and transfers this knowledge to society. With a staff of 900 people and a budget of Û88 million, ECN has developed a portfolio of over 250 patents. Planet Capital is a venture capital fund that focuses on investments in: renewable energy systems (incl. wind, solar, water, biomass); decentralized generation systems (incl. fuel cells, microturbines, storage technologies); demand-side efficiency (incl. energy efficiency, energy and buildings, automotive). Planet Capital is a fund that is being established to provide equity capital to bridge the gap that exists between research funded by government subsidy programs and the early stages of commercialization of energy technology and services. Albert Fischer, Managing Partner of Planet Capital stated: ÒOn basis of this agreement we will intensify our efforts in assisting ECN in the commercialization of their technology and in creating spin-offs at ECNÓ. Hans Bais, Manager ECN Innovations commented that this agreement emphasizes the role that ECN intends to play in society and the importance it attaches to the adoption of the technologies developed at ECN. Information: For additional information please contact: Planet Capital Dr. Albert Fischer Telephone +31-30-6668318 e-mail: Albert@PlanetCapital.nl             Home | About us | Entrepreneurs | Links | Press releases | Contact