From Galway to the Green Heart of Europe
Lessons from Amsterdam and Rotterdam’s Innovation Ecosystems
Worth Visiting!
Curious about how leading European cities are driving renewable energy, smart infrastructure, and the future of sustainable innovation? In the blog below, we share insights from our recent research trip to Amsterdam and Rotterdam, exploring cutting-edge innovation districts, smart ports, and workspaces that are redefining how cities evolve sustainably.
This learning journey is part of our ongoing work under the Renewables Innovation Hub, which is proudly co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021-2027.
If you’re considering a similar visit or want to learn more from our experience, feel free to get in touch, we’re more than happy to share our itinerary, connections, and key takeaways.
Why the Netherlands?
The Netherlands has established itself as one of Europe’s most forward-thinking regions for renewable energy, smart cities, and sustainable infrastructure. As we work through the planning phase for Galway’s future Renewable Energy Innovation Hub, it made perfect sense to head to the Green Heart of Europe to learn from the best.
This blog highlights some of the standout stops from our trip, and the lessons we brought home to Galway.
EDGE Olympic – Where Work Meets Sustainability
Our first stop was EDGE Olympic in Amsterdam, a workspace that’s not just about desks and Wi-Fi but about creating truly smart, sustainable environments.
Hosted by LouLou Oonk, we explored how EDGE designs buildings as living ecosystems, powered by renewable energy, optimised with smart lighting, ventilation, and sensor systems, and designed to foster community.
Portlantis – The Beating (Wind-Powered) Heart of Europe
The standout experience of the trip was undoubtedly Portlantis, the visitor and innovation centre at the Port of Rotterdam, one of the most advanced, future-facing ports in the world.
Our guide, and Portlantis Business Manager Marcel Segaar, walked us through an experience that was equal parts inspiring and eye-opening. This is not just a port; it’s a massive ecosystem driving Europe’s renewable energy ambitions.
The first floor showcases how the port operates today, logistics, cargo, and how everything connects.
The second floor zooms out to show how deeply the port’s activity supports the Dutch economy, jobs, and society.
But it’s the third floor, The Port of the Future where things really get exciting. Here, hydrogen production, offshore wind, AI-driven logistics, and sustainable fuels aren’t just concepts — they’re real, operational, and scaling fast.



A visit to the panorama deck offered a literal view into the future: rows of offshore wind turbines and the enormous scale of renewable energy infrastructure taking shape right now.








One stat that really stood out: by 2030, around a third of all offshore wind energy generated in the Dutch part of the North Sea is expected to flow through the Port of Rotterdam, powering industries, homes, and driving Europe closer to its net-zero goals. Portlantis itself is powered sustainably, using a dedicated mini wind turbine combined with solar energy, a fitting symbol of the future the port is helping to build.
RDM Rotterdam – Where Ideas Get Built
Our final stop was RDM Rotterdam, a brilliant example of industrial heritage reimagined for the future. Once the home of shipbuilding giants, RDM is now a living lab where students, startups, and scale-ups work side by side.
The space is packed with testbeds, maker labs, and collaborative environments, giving people the tools to prototype, build, and deploy new technologies focused on the blue economy, clean energy, and smart ports.
This isn’t innovation theatre. It’s hands-on, practical, and designed to take ideas from concept to reality. The connection between education, entrepreneurship, and industry here is tangible, and something we’re keen to mirror in Galway.

Why This Matters to Galway
This trip wasn’t just an inspiring look at what others are doing, it was a call to action.
- Portlantis showed us how major infrastructure and renewable energy can work hand in hand.
- RDM demonstrated how industry, education, and startups can collaborate seamlessly.
- EDGE Olympic reinforced that the spaces we work in should reflect the values of the future — sustainability, flexibility, and community.
As we progress through the planning phase for Galway’s Renewable Energy Innovation Hub, the lessons from Amsterdam and Rotterdam are a powerful reminder that the future isn’t waiting, it’s being built right now.
We came back energised, full of ideas, and ready to apply what we’ve learned to help Galway lead in the green and blue economies.
Huge Thanks!
A huge thanks to the incredible teams at EDGE Olympic, Portlantis, and RDM Rotterdam for their time, insights, and warm hospitality. Each visit was packed with valuable learning, and the openness and generosity shown by everyone we met made this trip even more impactful.
Let's Connect
If you’re considering a similar learning trip, working on a related project, or just curious to learn more, get in touch. We’re happy to share our itinerary, contacts, and lessons learned.
This project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021-2027.
