NTP
Description of the company
NTP works from Hattem, Enschede and Zevenaar on the sustainable and safe construction, improvement and renewal of our infrastructure, water management, environment and energy.
We do this with more than 240 employees, together with our permanent partners, our clients and our project environment.
Especially working together from start to finish is something we and our customers are very enthusiastic about.
Potential graduation assignments:
Energy managment within NTP
In the jungle of energy, we can't see the forest for the trees. A lot is changing in the energy market at a rapid pace. The advent of solar panels, wind turbines, electric cars and power tools means that we at NTP are considering how to move with this market. As a 'researcher' you will help us not only visualize the energy management of the projects within NTP, but also get it right. How much energy is needed during the various phases of a project. Think of electric excavators, tire saws, vibrating plates, etc. But the energy consumption in a regular construction site is also important. You then get to work on finding out how we can become energy-neutral, for example by looking for the right battery packs needed to use our electric equipment profitably. You provide insight into the energy consumption at the offices and on the projects and then look at how we can generate this energy sustainably and what costs are involved. You look for the break-even point. You then compile a purchasing list that NTP can use to purchase suitable batteries or other electrical equipment.
Search for NTP dreamteam
For this assignment, you will get a glimpse into our kitchen. It is an instructive assignment where, within your research period, you will learn all facets of our operations and combine them with new ways of thinking and insights to create a well-run and high-level dream team. NTP distinguishes itself in the market through intensive collaboration. Cooperation both internally and externally. Our projects are running to the satisfaction of our clients and every year we are left with sufficient returns to be able to invest in the future. Nevertheless, internal research has shown that many processes could be set up more efficiently and could be better coordinated between the various departments. As a researcher you will help us, and our clients, to realize this. Through your fresh, independent, student view, without the handicap of business blindness, you will look at our company and advise us from your research how we could organize things differently and get one step closer to our ultimate dream team!
3D design in GWW
For this innovation-related assignment, you will investigate the options available on the market for 3D design and visualizations, what added value these developments can provide and which are most suitable for us and our clients!
ORBIS, the design agency of NTP, has been working for some time with 3D design, 3D surveying (by drone) of sites. The execution works with 3D excavation technology. These are all techniques that simplify the work for our implementation staff but, on the other hand, require our designers to adapt their knowledge and purchase more complex systems.
During your graduation you will delve into these 3D possibilities and you will find yourself in the world of BIM and other new developments that we as a sector are still facing. On the basis of this study, you will investigate the possibilities of applying these to our business in order to be well prepared for the future.
Budgetroof 22
How can you win despite budget constraints?
NTP ensures daily that its clients' every need and work on the project can be achieved within the often politically set budget. For this organisation-focused assignment, you will investigate ways in which NTP can improve this even more.
More than half of NTP's projects are realised with a construction team collaboration. In these, NTP also has (joint) responsibility for realising all project requirements and starting points within the set budget. Various methods are used for this, but we are keen to keep improving and are therefore looking for other ways in which more (financial) certainty can be obtained towards the end even in the initial phase.
One such way is to estimate in accordance with the SSK methodology. This methodology is widely used with government clients. We have already established during an initial graduation study that the SSK method can be applied to our projects. During this follow-up assignment, you will investigate the possibilities offered by the SSK model and how it could be implemented in our organisation and processes. This will give us more control over money and enable us to offer our customers political peace of mind and confidence.
ZERO ON THE METER
Truly sustainable asphalt does not exist, at least not until now. You can change this. Help design the ultimate asphalt and plunge into the world of MFIs, asphalt plants, quarries and oil trading!
Description case:
NTP is constantly working to make its asphalt mixtures more sustainable. For instance, we invented Grassphalt 1.0 and 2.0 which we use to replace bitumen with elephant grass.
We have now reached the point where we no longer need bitumen to make asphalt and can replace it with completely biologically composed materials!
A great step but unfortunately, even with these mixtures, we still have a negative impact on our environment.
The majority of our asphalt is still heated to high temperatures, which means we need a lot of gas and this also causes considerable CO2 emissions.
We want to get rid of this.
We are exploring several ways to reduce emissions. For instance, we are increasing our recycling rate each year, experimenting with lower heating temperatures and discussing more sustainable energy sources.
During your thesis research, you will explore what is available in the market from our current point of view and what paths we have not yet taken. Then, together with our asphalt technologists and the quality department, you will design a new asphalt mixture that will bring us another step closer to our goal of eventually generating zero-metre asphalt.
CIRCULAR MESS?
How can we turn our waste streams into valuable ingredients for high-value applications? During this research assignment, you will delve into recycling rubble, asphalt and soil!
Description case:
NTP runs a rubble and asphalt recycling plant in the municipality of Ommen. Here, various waste streams are taken in every day and upgraded for use in asphalt or, for example, as rubble foundations under roads.
With sustainability playing an increasingly prominent role and with fuel prices seemingly continuing to rise, it is becoming more and more interesting to look at what else we could do with the incoming streams of materials.
You will investigate how recycling works and where there is a need now and in the future.
For instance, can we separate the bitumen in milling material and use it in asphalt mixtures or can we treat rubble in other ways to make it suitable for other applications (outside road foundations).
Particularly in these times when sustainability is becoming increasingly important, this is an interesting assignment in which you gain up-to-date knowledge that can help us make the world a little more sustainable!
EMISSION-FREE ASPHALT PRODUCTION
About 99% of Dutch asphalt is heated to 140 or 180 degrees in the asphalt plant with a huge amount of gas. An enormous emission resulting in a negative effect on our climate. During this graduation project, you will investigate whether it is possible to realise the first emission-free asphalt plant!
Description case:
NTP has an asphalt plant in the municipality of Ommen. The adjacent site has a large number of solar panels and landfill gas from a former landfill.
Together with our employees, you will investigate whether it is possible to use the solar panels to run the asphalt plant on hydrogen gas and/or landfill gas, and how this should be done.
You could also investigate what subsidies are available for this and whether additional measures, such as a wind turbine, might be needed.
Given the scope of this project, it is conceivable to carry out this research in several parts so that, as a researcher, you can focus on one part and get more value out of your research. We are still at the initial stage and no research in this direction has been started yet. So all options are still open!
A concrete project that NTP is also keen to realise and therefore all the more interesting to work on and contribute to as a researcher!