Tony Schoen works for the Urban Technology research program as project manager "Circular Wood for the Neighborhood". This project works on the development of smart applications for used wood from housing associations and waste collection, using robot technology and digital production. The project aims to develop knowledge of how to use new production techniques to convert waste streams into useful applications. The Digital Production Research Group (DPRG) is conducting this research in the Robot Studio of the AUAS, together with housing corporations Ymere and Rochdale, construction industry, TU Delft, TNO, Metabolic and Platform31.

The DPRG is connected to the Center of Expertise City Net Zero, and operates within the Robot Studio of the AUAS. The DPRG explores the impact of digital design and production technologies (industry 4.0) to help address urgent societal challenges. This work is carried out by integrating research to education and practical activities, in alignment with 3 profiling themes of the Faculty of Technology: Smart Industry, Circular Transition and Designing Future Cities.

Experience in renewable energy and production

Tony has broad experience in the field of renewable energy and sustainable production. Trained as a mechanical engineer at the Eindhoven University of Technology, he is always looking for sustainable technical concepts that are applicable and scalable. Started as a pioneer in solar energy (for which he was awarded the then national solar energy prize in 2001), he subsequently gained knowledge and experience at regular energy companies and engineering companies. Here he worked on the application of sustainable techniques within the framework of traditional business operations. In 2010 he took the step to become an independent consultant, and worked, among other things, as an operational manager at an SME company in biobased composite plastics, as an advisor for various universities of applied sciences in the field of biobased and circular, and as project coordinator of a five-year EU project to develop the Utrecht industrial estate Werkspoorkwartier into a 'creative & circular manufacturing area'. Now he also wants to transfer his experience in (sustainable) practice to a new generation of students and researchers.

Expertise

• Project leader with an overview, an eye for details but always with the ultimate goal in mind
• Broad knowledge of sustainable energy and circular economy
• Strong in speech and writing, on paper and in presentations
• Knowledge of and experience with financing schemes for universities of applied sciences, the business community and public organizations