Historical timeline

NPEC was launched in 2018 and is now fully operational across all six modules, ready to carry out plant phenotyping experiments.

  • May 2024

    Module 4 Rhizotron ready for experiments

  • Feb 2024

    First tests module 4 Rhizotron

  • November 2023

    All modules ready to receive access requests!

  • October 2023

    Module 2 Helios/Hades ready for experiments

  • September 2023

    Module 1 ready for experiments

  • September 2023

    Opening NPEC building UU

  • August 2023

    Module 3 ready for trials

  • May 2023

    Modules 2 and 3 are fully installed

  • May 2023

    Module 4 open for access requests

  • April 2023

    Module 4 ready for experiments

  • March 2023

    All Ecotron units in module 1 are ready for trials

  • February 2023

    Rhizotron pilots module 4

  • December 2022

    First pilot experiment module 4

  • September 2022

    Official opening of NPEC @ WUR in combination with IPPS7

  • July 2022

    Module 4 ready for experiments

  • April 2022

    User platform established

  • April 2022

    Start installation modules 2 and 3

  • March 2022

    First Ecotron units for module 1 installed in Utrecht

  • January 2022

    Start construction NPEC Utrecht

  • May 2021

    Module 5 ready for experiments

  • September 2020

    NPEC Greenhouse and climate control ready for equipment installation

  • July 2020

    Publication Tender module 4

  • July 2020

    1st PHIS installation in SurfSara cloud environment

  • June 2020

    Tech suppliers NPEC Greenhouse known

  • June 2020

    1st data collection session with TraitSeeker

  • June 2020

    Module 6 ready for experiments

  • May 2020

    Market consultation Ecotron module

  • May 2020

    Market consultation PMI/ME module

  • April 2020

    NPEC module 4 building ready

  • March 2020

    1st flights with NPEC drones

     

  • March 2020

    CropTraits selected as supplier of field phenotyping vehicle

  • January 2020

    SMO selected for conveyor and gantry in NPEC greenhouse

  • December 2019

    NPEC International Advisory Board installed

  • September 2019

    Bosman start construction NPEC Greenhouse

  • October 2018

    Formal starting date of NPEC

  • June 2018

    Approval of NPEC by NWO

  • January 2018

    Defence of NPEC at international evaluation board

  • June 2017

    Submission of NPEC proposal