The municipality of Berkelland is exploring options to scale up energy-saving activities by providing extensive support to residents and property owners through an Energy Service Company. This includes pre-financing home improvement measures, which are repaid upon completion through various financing options such as personal finances, energy savings loans, mortgages, or subsidies. Tailored financial advice, especially for low-income households, is crucial. The overarching goal is to facilitate the widespread implementation of home improvement measures in a timely manner, ensuring high-quality results, affordability, and long-term living comfort.
The objective of the Dutch Climate Agreement is to achieve a CO2-neutral society by 2050. One of the strategies to achieve this goal is to transition existing homes away from gas heating to more sustainable alternatives. This strategy has been outlined in the Transition Vision Heat (TVW), which is adopted by local city councils. The TVW identifies specific districts where gas phase-out should occur before 2030 and specifies the preferred sustainable heating options for each district.
With the support of subsidies, two investment concepts have been developed for districts slated for gas phase-out before 2030: Overwhere South in Purmerend (comprising 463 existing homes) and a neighborhood in the village of MiddenBeemster (comprising 743 existing homes). Residents stand to benefit from these investments by contributing to a cleaner environment for future generations. Increasing gas prices in the Netherlands and concerns about dependence on foreign suppliers are factors motivating homeowners to transition to district heating.
The municipality of Berkelland is exploring options to scale up energy-saving activities by providing extensive support to residents and property owners through an Energy Service Company. This includes pre-financing home improvement measures, which are repaid upon completion through various financing options such as personal finances, energy savings loans, mortgages, or subsidies. Tailored financial advice, especially for low-income households, is crucial. The overarching goal is to facilitate the widespread implementation of home improvement measures in a timely manner, ensuring high-quality results, affordability, and long-term living comfort.
The investment project aims to establish a "social" Energy Service Company (M-ESCo) to streamline the renovation of residential buildings and provide residents with a green energy alternative. The M-ESCo's social aspect, characterized by steward ownership and a "not-for-profit" model, aligns with Bunnik municipality's goal of achieving energy neutrality inclusively. The M-ESCo will offer three services: quick fixes, complete renovations, and the option to purchase electricity from local energy generation projects. In addition to reducing CO2 emissions, residents in targeted neighborhoods will benefit from easier home improvements, increased energy efficiency, lower energy costs, and improved living comfort.
The objective of this investment project is to establish a "social" Energy Service Company (M-ESCo) to facilitate the renovation of residential buildings and provide inhabitants with an alternative green energy source. Although initially including district heating, this aspect was excluded due to a separate project in de Bilt. The social nature of the M-ESCo is evident in its steward-owned and not-for-profit structure, aiming to contribute to the municipality's goal of energy neutrality inclusively. The M-ESCo will offer three services: quick fixes, complete renovations, and the option to purchase electricity from a local energy generation project. In addition to reducing CO2 emissions, inhabitants of targeted neighborhoods will benefit from easier home improvements, leading to lower energy costs and improved living comfort.
The municipalities, in collaboration with local energy cooperatives, aspire to boost local energy generation by establishing the R.O.D.E. Fund (Regional Development Fund Sustainable Energy). Contributions to the fund will come from these entities, based on amounts equivalent to the avoided GVO. This initiative aligns with the EU Clean Energy Package and supports local generation and supply-demand matching practices. Moreover, the aim is to ensure that at least 50% of ownership and benefits remain local. Through energy contracts for supply-demand matching (Zelflevering), customized pricing over multiple years is made possible. Both the R.O.D.E. Fund and Zelflevering initiatives promote sustainable energy practices and foster regional benefits.
The investment's objective is to make the village Kronenberg energy-neutral and free from reliance on natural gas for heating buildings. This entails insulating all Kronenberg buildings to at least the Dutch standard, along with the installation of heat pumps and PV systems. Residents of Kronenberg will receive support throughout the process to transition their homes to energy neutrality and eliminate the use of fossil fuels. The benefits for residents include reduced energy bills and enhanced comfort. Moreover, local contractors stand to gain from the investment as they will primarily handle the implementation of these measures.
The municipality of Epe is exploring options to scale up energy-saving activities by providing extensive support to residents and property owners through an Energy Service Company. This includes pre-financing home improvement measures, which are repaid upon completion through various financing options such as personal finances, energy savings loans, mortgages, or subsidies. Tailored financial advice, especially for low-income households, is essential. The overarching goal is to facilitate the widespread implementation of home improvement measures in a timely manner, ensuring high-quality results, affordability, and long-term living comfort.
As outlined, the overarching project entails an expansion of the existing North West heat network to cover all buildings in the designated areas. This includes residential properties (both rental and private), small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), shopping centers, schools, and two universities (Hanze and RUG). The districts of Paddepoel, Selwerd, Vinkhuizen, and Kostverloren already have substantial portions of the heat transport network in place. The required investment will fund the construction of district distribution systems, street distribution systems, and connections to individual homes and buildings. Additionally, the investment encompasses the connection of new heat sources, such as residual heat from a sugar factory and a data center, as well as the implementation of seasonal storage in the soil (ATES) and expansion of the heat network to encompass areas in the South and North East in the future, facilitated by the development of a ring heat network. The investment also covers the establishment of auxiliary/peak heating plants and district substations.
The primary objective of the investment concept is to foster public engagement in the energy transition by enabling residents, through the local energy cooperative, to invest in sustainable energy projects. This allows the cooperative to play a more significant role in the municipality and promotes greater local ownership among residents. The investment concept focuses on two key project types: solar energy installations on municipal rooftops and participation in land-based solar energy projects. Residents can financially participate and become co-owners of these projects, enhancing their involvement in the energy transition while providing financial benefits and strengthening community ties. The planned investment for land-based solar projects is €40,545,000, and for rooftop solar projects, it is €4,500,000, with expected average returns of 12.7% and 12.1%, respectively. The combined potential generation of all projects is estimated at 49.2 GWh per year, resulting in a reduction of 21,107 tCO2eq/y in CO2 emissions.
The investment project aims to establish a "social" Energy Service Company (M-ESCo) to facilitate the renovation of residential buildings and provide residents with an alternative green energy source. The M-ESCo, being steward-owned and not-for-profit, reflects a social aspect in its organization. It seeks to contribute to the municipality of Houten's goal of achieving energy neutrality inclusively. The M-ESCo will offer three services: quick fixes, complete renovations, and the option to purchase electricity from a local energy generation project. In addition to reducing CO2 emissions, residents will benefit from improved energy efficiency in their homes, leading to lower energy costs and increased comfort.
The primary objective of the planned investment is to establish a pilot-scale solution to meet future energy demands in Zwette while enabling the exchange and storage of locally produced renewable energy. This involves installing a local battery system on the Zwette business park to store renewable energy generated by solar panels operated by businesses there. This battery system will create a decentralized energy infrastructure, easing the strain on the local energy grid and facilitating the exchange and storage of renewable energy. Key measures include developing a battery with a storage capacity of 2-2.5 MW, connecting it to businesses with PV systems, developing software for smart battery management, and installing the battery along with safety fences. The beneficiaries of this investment include local business owners, who can exchange and store renewable energy, new businesses with increased grid connectivity opportunities, network operator Liander benefiting from reduced grid pressure, and the municipality, which plays a coordinating role in achieving sustainable and economic goals for its business parks.
The "Towards a CO2-neutral Dieren" project by the municipality of Rheden targets the sustainability enhancement of 3,860 privately-owned homes (excluding Owners' Associations), aligned with data provided by the municipality of Rheden. The sustainability strategy employs a stacked approach, combining measures for optimal results. The initial phase involves robust insulation of homes to significantly reduce heat demand and electricity consumption. The remaining heat demand will be addressed through the implementation of heat pumps. The sustainability and renovation efforts will commence with ten representative homes in the Dieren-West neighborhood. These homes, identifiable by their building type and household structure, will serve as a tangible model for residents. Based on the practical experiences gained from enhancing the sustainability of these ten homes, the broader goal is to extend the sustainability measures to the entire neighborhood and subsequently throughout the municipality. This phased approach ensures a systematic and informed progression toward a CO2-neutral Dieren.
In Smallingerland, a concerted effort is underway to transition approximately 26,000 homes away from natural gas heating by 2050, with a target of converting 15 to 20% of homes by 2030, starting with designated districts. Collaborating with the Energy Transition Cooperative De Wilgen, Smalle Ee, and Buitenstvallaat, plans are being developed for 300 owner-occupied homes in one of these districts, exploring options such as aquathermal energy. Additionally, partnerships with local companies are being forged to investigate geothermal energy possibilities for at least 4,500 homes in another district. Annual agreements with housing corporations prioritize the insulation of social housing and installation of solar panels. Various initiatives, including information markets, insulation campaigns, and municipal sustainability loans, aim to support homeowners in making their homes more sustainable. Ultimately, these efforts seek to enhance energy efficiency, reduce CO2 emissions, and improve comfort for residents while lowering energy costs.
The proposed investment concept aims to establish a sustainable heat network spanning approximately 70 kilometers in the Greenport Aalsmeer region. The objective is to deliver renewable heat from various sources to diverse users, including greenhouse horticulture businesses and residential areas, with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions and phasing out reliance on natural gas. This concept involves creating a heat transport network that links greenhouse horticulture businesses (covering approximately 380 hectares), industrial zones, and residential communities to geothermal, waste heat, and other sustainable heat sources. The transport network will prioritize sustainability, reliability, and accessibility, ensuring a secure and future-proof supply. Ultimately, the investment project seeks to provide the local community, including greenhouse horticulture businesses, companies, and residents, with sustainable heat options, enabling them to play a role in emissions reduction and the transition to renewable energy. Additionally, the heat network presents opportunities for the greenhouse horticulture sector and contributes to local employment retention.
The investment project seeks to establish a "social" Energy Service Company (M-ESCo) to streamline residential building renovations and offer residents a green energy alternative. The M-ESCo's steward-owned and "not-for-profit" structure reflects its social focus, aligning with Utrechtse Heuvelrug municipality's goal of achieving energy neutrality inclusively. The M-ESCo will provide three services: quick fixes, complete renovations, and the option to purchase electricity from local energy generation projects. In addition to reducing CO2 emissions, residents in targeted neighborhoods will benefit from easier home improvements, enhanced energy efficiency, lower energy costs, and improved living comfort.
The municipality of Voorst is exploring options to scale up energy-saving activities by providing extensive support to residents through an Energy Service Company (ESCO) and pre-financing home improvement measures. Residents can repay the pre-financed measures through various options like personal finances, energy savings loans, mortgages, or subsidies. Tailored financial advice, especially for low incomes, is crucial for success. The overarching objective is to facilitate large-scale implementation of home improvement measures promptly, ensuring high-quality results, affordability, and long-term living comfort.
In the City of Waalwijk in the Netherlands, a prime centre of e-commerce warehousing and the country’s number one logistics hotspot, a new inland port and barge terminal is under development. This upgrade of its current port on the Meuse river, can accommodate much larger container barges (Class V: 120 TEU). Waalwijk is ambitious in its aim for sustainable handling of goods. Therefore the new port of Waalwijk is aiming to become the first fully electric and completely sustainable inland port in Europe. The possible (phased) scenarios of electric shipping, handling and trucking of goods have been investigated.
The municipality of Wageningen is investigating ways to scale up energy-saving activities by offering extensive support to residents and property owners through an Energy Service Company. This includes pre-financing home improvement measures, which are repaid upon completion through various options such as personal finances, energy savings loans, mortgages, or subsidies. Tailored financial advice, particularly for low-income households, is deemed crucial. The overarching goal is to facilitate the widespread implementation of home improvement measures in a timely manner, ensuring high-quality results, affordability, and long-term living comfort.
In Westland, over 1 billion m3 of natural gas is consumed annually, primarily by the surrounding greenhouse cluster. To combat this, the municipality is actively promoting the use of sustainable heat alternatives, such as geothermal energy, to decrease CO2 emissions. Additionally, the municipality is supporting the development of a heat network, including connection to regional initiatives like Warmtelinq, to expand the transport and distribution of sustainable heat. Westland is an integral part of the RES Rotterdam - The Hague, which is dedicated to boosting the sustainability of heat demand in the region through the establishment of heat networks. The construction of a heat network in Westland, known as Warmte Systeem Westland, has been identified as a key program within the RES. The municipality, collaborating with related parties like HVC (of which it is a co-shareholder) and JUVA/Capturam (where the municipality is the main shareholder), aims to establish a comprehensive heat network for greenhouse companies and the built environment across Westland.
The investment project in Zeist has a dual objective. Firstly, establishing a social Energy Service Company (M-ESCo) to oversee the retrofitting and sustainability upgrades of land-based homes in the municipality of Zeist, specifically the village of Austerlitz. The M-ESCo will prioritize achieving maximum energy savings through energy performance contracting, offering long-term guarantees, and facilitating financing for retrofitting projects. Secondly, implementing sustainable measures, including transitioning 567 homes in Austerlitz to gas-free heating and cooking appliances. Following the pilot in Austerlitz, the M-ESCo will extend its efforts to retrofit homes across the municipality of Zeist, ensuring customized solutions for sustainable, energy-efficient homes. This includes cost-neutral renovations, solar energy generation, and securing financing and long-term energy-saving guarantees.