USP partners go for collective thermal storage installation
Unique collaboration contributes to transition to a natural gas-free Utrecht Science Park
Utrecht University, UMC Utrecht, Hogeschool Utrecht, SSH and Stichting Internationale School have signed a cooperation agreement to jointly realise a new collective thermal storage installation. This installation will sustainably heat and cool part of their buildings in the Utrecht Science Park (USP) in the future.
With the support of the municipality and province of Utrecht, the USP partners are working to make energy consumption within the Utrecht Science Park more sustainable. UU has already connected several buildings to the thermal storage installation. The ambition is to connect more and more buildings to thermal storage installations in this area in the future. By 2030, UU aims to be CO₂ neutral.
University Library
The cooperation with the other USP partners is a nice new step. The following buildings will be connected to this new CHP system: the Hogeschool Utrecht building at Heidelberglaan 15, the University Library and the UMC Utrecht and the yet-to-be-built student residential complex High five and the International School Utrecht.
President Executive Board Utrecht University Anton Pijpers is enthusiastic:
Utrecht University wants to contribute maximally to solving the climate problem. Through our climate change research, with our education, as well as by looking at our own business operations. Our aim is to be CO₂ neutral as an organisation by 2030. Thermal storage plays an essential role in this and it is wonderful that we are joining hands with the other USP partners.
CO₂ savings
With a CHP system, cold or hot energy is stored in the ground. By connecting several buildings together with an ATES installation, the heat or cold surplus of one building can be used to supplement the heat or cold deficit of another. In this way, less energy is lost and the collective installation ensures CO₂ savings and lower energy bills. By working together, all parties also benefit from economies of scale as fewer wells need to be drilled.
Selection procedure started
Now that the cooperation agreement has been signed, the selection procedure for a contractor will start.
If everything goes according to plan, the contract for the construction of the thermal storage system.