Watts to ADD

Guusje Huybregts: Welcome to a new episode of What’s to ADD. In the previous episode, we took a closer look at the sustainability aspects, and in this episode, we will take a practical look at what this GAS solution entails. First and foremost, which components need to work together to implement this solution?

Dirk-Jan Houben: We have set things up in such a way that nothing has to work together. Everything can work on its own, but it’s not efficient, and we have explicitly looked at how you can ensure that you achieve that efficiency. You’re not connected to the grid. It’s a shame if the electricity generated by the solar panels in the summer has nowhere to go. It’s just wasted. And it’s also a shame if you have a solution in the form of gas generators, that the heat released in the process is also lost and goes nowhere. So we said that you actually have to ensure that all these installations work together to achieve efficiency gains. So it’s not a must, but it does ensure that everything will be cheaper in the future and that nothing is lost.

G: And how do you organize such a complex system from a technical perspective?

DJ: Technically speaking, it’s very complex. I think it’s even too complex for me. But basically, it boils down to having an electricity hub. The batteries are in a boiler and a heat hub. Think of it as a kind of swimming pool where you store heat in the summer that can be used in the winter. Make sure everything comes together integrally, the neighborhood comes together, and from there you can do it again. Then, when there is a shortage, you can deliver from that point to the user who needs it.

G: And is this more expensive or more efficient than the usual solution of purchasing electricity?

DJ: No, that’s a lot more expensive. That’s why I don’t think it’s always the best solution. We’re in Amsterdam, of course, where prices are generally a bit higher. That’s why this is possible. But it’s really a lot more expensive in terms of your investment up front. Otherwise, you only need to lay a cable when you’re using it, because you’re dependent on the vagaries of gas prices. And I think I’ve written about this, but it is cheaper for heating by definition, because that thermal energy storage is not thermal energy storage, and the fact that you make it more efficient makes it cheaper.

G: Yes, and which parties need to work together to achieve this?

DJ: Yes, good question. When I recorded the podcast two weeks ago, I said you need a technical installer. You need someone who knows about electricity, someone who knows about gas, and someone who understands the World Cup. Coincidentally, we’ve now found a company that can do all of that, and I’m not going to advertise them, but they can do it all. That’s great, because it means we can hand over some of the work to them, and they will then be responsible for the integrated collaboration of all those installations. Yes, but that party is not sitting still either. It is originally an energy supplier, and you can see that this is a problem. And they simply said we are going to take care of all these things, because then we can also facilitate that solution. Smart? Yes, very smart.

G: And what does this look like in practice for a layman? What can you imagine this to be?

DJ: I really don’t think anything at all. It’s so complex with everything working together, and of course you can imagine something with solar panels and a swimming pool and a gas generator. But how does this really work together? Over an area with six large buildings, the tallest of which rises 70 meters into the air, and how does that facilitate that energy? I think you can only understand that when you see it. Yes.

G: And what is the biggest technical challenge here?

DJ: That everything works together? That you can be sure that the heat from those gas generators can actually be used for that thermal energy storage system. That’s it, I think that’s everything from all the complexes.

G: And a lot of changes need to be made to the existing building plans.

DJ: Everything can be redone. That’s also due to our sustainability requirements. These have ensured that certain things are simply no longer possible or have reached some kind of optimum. And this means that extra space has to be created in the basement and on other floors. That you have to take other things into account. How they will work together. No, everything can be redone. Yes.

G: Will effective construction actually proceed faster or slower as a result of this new approach?

DJ: Yes, I don’t think it matters that much. The most important thing is that you design it properly in advance. That might cost you a little extra. We’re not talking about weeks here. But if you get the design right from the start, the person who comes to install the gas system—that’s not the same party as the thermal energy storage system—so they can just arrange those things side by side. And you would have needed that time anyway. So there’s just someone working in a space who wouldn’t have been there otherwise. So I think that if your design phase is perhaps a little delayed, but otherwise I don’t expect much delay. In that respect, perhaps in the inspection. Then we’re talking about days, not weeks.

G: And what does the timeline look like? From this point on?

DJ: We are currently working on a new design for the parking garage. So, based on certain choices we had to make, both in terms of congestion and sustainability, as well as the development of the homes that will actually be built in two years’ time. Once that is complete, we will start building the parking garage, or at least part of it. This will be a year-long construction process for the garage alone. During that period, we will also be making design decisions for the offices above it.

G: And how do you keep control of such a complex puzzle as a team?

DJ: To that end, we have engaged a party to monitor us. To prove it, in fact. So I do think that control is complicated. Especially because there are constantly different interests at play. And that is why I think it is very important to hire a party to oversee the overall picture. Yes.

G: Well, that’s very interesting. We’ve looked into it in more detail. What does this solution involve? In this solution and in the next episode, we’ll discuss whether this could be a solution for everyone

DJ: Yes, great!