Geothermal project
Westland transforms greenhouse horticulture
A green revolution
Westland is undergoing a green revolution with the Westland Heat Network project by the Trias Westland partnership. Albert Voortman, project leader at A.Hak responsible for the pipeline installation, shares his insights on the project and the challenges it presents.
We are currently in the startup phase of the project, which utilizes geothermal energy as a sustainable source for a heat network in Westland. The goal is ambitious: by 2028, all participating growers must be connected to the heat network. This project is an important step in making the energy-intensive greenhouse horticulture more sustainable.
Albert emphasizes the close collaboration and growing team spirit within the project. “The aim is to complete the work within the set schedule.” Personally, I would also like to use as many energy-neutral machines as possible. The system developed for this project is a great focal point for this. Westland Heat Network (HVC and Capturam) has established an online trading platform in collaboration with the growers. This means that eventually more than two hundred consumers can trade heat among themselves. This approach has been very well thought out.”
Staff and accessibility
One of the challenges of the project is attracting qualified personnel. Albert would like to handle everything with his own staff, but unfortunately, that’s not possible. “Accessibility on the private premises of the consumers is also a challenge. To accommodate the growers by closing as few access roads as possible, we sometimes have to work in very tight spaces. Ultimately, the companies must be accessible to staff and residents.”
Innovative construction team
The key to success lies in making clear agreements and good cooperation between all parties involved. Here, too, they work in an innovative construction team, consisting of Rotterdam Engineering, A.Hak, Welvreugd, and Westland Heat Network. “Together, we streamline the process, reducing design and execution times by up to 16 weeks, thereby also saving costs.”
Creative solutions always emerge
There is good social dynamics in the team. This also strengthens the team spirit. Despite external challenges, such as limited space and other requirements, the team manages to remain flexible and find solutions together.
Collaboration takes us far
Albert emphasizes the importance of collaboration. “We can achieve so much together. Additionally, innovative technologies also help us, such as battery trailers. We are happy to experiment with them.”
How CO2 emissions in Westland are significantly reduced
By no longer heating with natural gas but with geothermal energy, a significant reduction in CO2 emissions can be achieved. Deep in the earth, there are water-bearing layers with naturally warm water. In the Netherlands, when you go underground, the temperature increases by about 30 degrees Celsius per kilometer of depth. This warm water can be used as an energy source for a heat network.
18.5 megawatts of energy is extracted from the ground with hot water that comes from a depth of 2,700 meters. From the source, the water is led to a heat exchanger station that regulates the pressure and temperature and also filters the water. It is then pumped through the 80-kilometer-long pipeline system.
