Rivers, canals and deep wells are abundantly available in the Netherlands. And could potentially provide up to 12% of national heat demand and even 54% of demand for cooling (more information on this potential HERE). An example of a project that uses energy from surface water is the Maastoren on the Kop van Zuid in Rotterdam, which uses water from the river Maas to fill in its cooling requirements. Although a large economic potential for energy from surface water is available, the number of realized projects remains rather limited. Reason for Hoogheemraadschap Delfland to organise a market consultation focussed on the (market) potential for ‘Energy from Surface Water’.

Different market parties – among which our members Heijmans and Witteveen+Bos – discussed the conditions that need to be met for energy from surface water to be successfully incorporated in district heating or cooling projects. The number of parties attending the market consultation demonstrated the large interest for the topic. However, quite a few questions should be answered before actual projects can and will be realised. One conclusion is that Energy from Surface Water as a potential solution for district heating and cooling projects is not yet common knowledge for all parties involved in heating and cooling projects. Insight in the availability of energy from surface water was stated to be important, but often unknown (e.g. locations, temperatures, volumes or practical constraints by the Hoogheemraadschap).

As first step towards future viable projects is to spread information that is already available. Which is more that even we knew.

The availability of energy from surface water can be found on www.nationaleenergieatlas.nl or www.warmteatlas.nl.

A geographical overview of energy projects by the Dutch water authorities can be found on https://energiekaart.uvw.nl/.

Minutes from the market consultation are publicly available. Please contact m.gaillard@cleantechdelta.nl for more information.