Tuesday April 17, the Warmtesamenwerking Oostland (WSO) festively started. The WSO in an initiative of the municipalities Lansingerland, Pijnacker-Nootdorp and LTO Glaskracht Nederland to speed up and facilitate the sustainability process of the greenhouse horticulture. The goal of the corporation is to realize a network for heat and CO2 for the region Oostland within five to seven years.
Jeroen Heuvelink, Theo Ammerlaan, Bob van der Deijl and Nico van Ruiten
Nico van Ruiten (Program Director Energy Agreement Greenport Westland) introduced and questioned to initiators in front of a small audience. Aldermen Bob van der Deijl (Gemeente Pijnacker-Nootdorp), Jeroen Heuvelink (Gemeente Lansingerland) and Theo Ammerlaan (LTO Glaskracht Nederland) emphasized the importance of cooperation. Heuvelink: "It is necessary to organize ourselves if we do not want to be left behind. It is the only way to present a concrete demand to ensure a proper infrastructure for heat and CO2."
Between the plants in the greenhouse of Plantenkwekerij Leo Ammerlaan the first pieces of the puzzle were laid.
Deputy Han Weber lays the last piece of the puzzle.
Deputy Han Weber lays the last piece of the puzzle.
Then there was time for a toast, before the champagne would heat up, as one of audience astutely remarked in line with the theme. Deputy Han Weber of the province South Holland gave a speech. He reported that the initiative was supported by the province. To the question whether extension outside Oostland would be possible, Weber, pointing at the puzzle, answered: "I am quite good at putting the pieces together."
Christiaan van der Meijden got, after the required disinfection clothing was taken off again, the chance to tell the audience a bit more about the nearby biomass installation which is already generating electricity and heat locally. Plantenkwekerij Ammerlaan was first to be connected to this plant, which saves up to 11,000 tons CO2 each year.
Christiaan van der Meijden
The official part was concluded by Hans van den Berg, Katinke Schipper, and Nico van Ruiten, who explained, as WSO team, the next steps in the cooperation. In 2018-2019 the plans will be further developed. Feasibility is one of the focus points. The challenge here will be mainly organisational and financial according to Schippers. "We have the right people to install the tubing."
Katinka Schipper and Hans van den Berg
Besides the puzzle metaphor, also the stringing of beads was used. "The more beads end up on the necklace. We need a good, strong necklace." The intention is to join as many local heat projects as possible, and also to use rest heat from the port of Rotterdam.
Nico van Ruiten
Van Ruiten concluded by calling for as much participation as possible of all possible parties, from municipalities, grid operators and heat operators. "Heat networks do not end at the municipal borders." Talks with neighboring municipality Zuidplas are already on the way.