Historical timeline
NPEC was launched in 2018 and is now fully operational across all six modules, ready to carry out plant phenotyping experiments.
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May 2024
Module 4 Rhizotron ready for experiments
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Feb 2024
First tests module 4 Rhizotron
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November 2023
All modules ready to receive access requests!
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October 2023
Module 2 Helios/Hades ready for experiments
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September 2023
Module 1 ready for experiments
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September 2023
Opening NPEC building UU
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August 2023
Module 3 ready for trials
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May 2023
Modules 2 and 3 are fully installed
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May 2023
Module 4 open for access requests
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April 2023
Module 4 ready for experiments
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March 2023
All Ecotron units in module 1 are ready for trials
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February 2023
Rhizotron pilots module 4
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December 2022
First pilot experiment module 4
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September 2022
Official opening of NPEC @ WUR in combination with IPPS7
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July 2022
Module 4 ready for experiments
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April 2022
User platform established
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April 2022
Start installation modules 2 and 3
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March 2022
First Ecotron units for module 1 installed in Utrecht
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January 2022
Start construction NPEC Utrecht
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May 2021
Module 5 ready for experiments
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September 2020
NPEC Greenhouse and climate control ready for equipment installation
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July 2020
Publication Tender module 4
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July 2020
1st PHIS installation in SurfSara cloud environment
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June 2020
Tech suppliers NPEC Greenhouse known
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June 2020
1st data collection session with TraitSeeker
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June 2020
Module 6 ready for experiments
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May 2020
Market consultation Ecotron module
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May 2020
Market consultation PMI/ME module
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April 2020
NPEC module 4 building ready
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March 2020
1st flights with NPEC drones
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March 2020
CropTraits selected as supplier of field phenotyping vehicle
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January 2020
SMO selected for conveyor and gantry in NPEC greenhouse
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December 2019
NPEC International Advisory Board installed
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September 2019
Bosman start construction NPEC Greenhouse
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October 2018
Formal starting date of NPEC
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June 2018
Approval of NPEC by NWO
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January 2018
Defence of NPEC at international evaluation board
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June 2017
Submission of NPEC proposal