TNO

TNO, the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, was founded by law in 1932 to help business and government put knowledge to use. It is independent: not part of any government, university or company. Its strategy for 2026-2029 rests on four pillars, one of which is sustainability.

In energy and mobility, TNO works where research meets application. It developed PowerMatcher, open-source software that lets devices on the grid coordinate their use of electricity. And it is part of CIMBATT, a National Growth Fund consortium on batteries for heavy-duty transport, together with VDL, DAF Trucks, Damen and NXP.

In NEON, TNO brought this bridge between fundamental research and practice to the work package on electric cars and trucks. Its contribution focused on better tools and methods for designing powertrains and vehicles, from a single component up to a whole fleet, with special attention to electrified trucks, the infrastructure they need, energy management and the ageing of the systems over their lifetime. TNO researchers supported the PhD candidates with models, data and supervision.

One result is Olaf Borsboom's work on the optimal design of electric powertrains, carried out with Lightyear and TNO and defended as a PhD thesis in June 2025. TNO also took part in NEON's integral model and, through TNO/Solliance, in its research on next-generation solar cells.

From the former NEON website

About TNO

TNO, the Netherlands Organisation for applied scientific research, was founded by law in 1932 to enable business and government to apply knowledge. As an organisation regulated by public law, we are independent: not part of any government, university or company. Please read more about our organisation below.
TNO is extensively involved in projects at a National, European and International level with a strong focus on realising solutions to accelerate towards Zero Emissions.

Role in NEON

TNO is involved in Work Package 4, with contributing interests in building improved tools and methods to realising optimised Powertrains and vehicles from component to fleet level. Insights in the roles of models and optimisation processes are essential in realising a robust transition to an electrified future. TNO advises and supports with modeling, data, and supervision of students to contribute to the success of NEON.

Motivation for joining NEON

TNO believes that strong collaboration at a National level is required to develop a knowledge eco-system to accelerate innovations from concept to application. By working together, TNO’s mission is to help bridge between fundamental research and its realisation in practice, with partners involved in NEON and beyond. Innovative tools and methods, coupled with innovation, is of prime interest for TNO.

Text from the former NEON website (original page).