Dutch Handelskwekerij Ammerlaan The Green Innovator is the winner of the EZK Energy Award 2020. By using geothermal energy as a sustainable energy generation technique, Ammerlaan saves over 25,000 tons of CO2 per year. The tropical plant grower stood out for its unique integration of geothermal energy, beating two other companies from different sectors in the race.
JAA !! wij zijn de trotse winnaars van de EZK award 2020!!
— Ammerlaan TGI (@AmmerlaanTGI) January 28, 2021
Wij willen iedereen bedanken die in ons zijn blijven geloven na jaren knokken worden beloont met deze prijs is niet met woorden te beschrijven!. Bedankt allemaal, wij proosten op een afstand met jullie. pic.twitter.com/fJyMA4bmZL
YES !! we are the proud winners of the EZK award 2020 !!
We would like to thank everyone who continued to believe in us after years of hard work. Being rewarded with this prize is beyond words! Thank you all, we toast with you from a safe distance.
Ammerlaan was chosen as the winner, as reported by RVO, because its deep connection with the environment hugely appealed to the jury. The energy generated is not only for the family business. The heat is also used by 24 other growers, apartments in Pijnacker-Noord, Stanislas College, a sports center and a swimming pool.
"Innovative and unique"
Esther Pijs, chair of the jury, says that the relationship between technology, social support and cooperation at the company was the deciding factor. “They are innovative and unique in this. The development and application of such concepts is desperately needed to give a much desired boost to the energy transition. Also, the spatial environment is considerably less affected by geothermal energy than, for example, by sun or wind energy. Ammerlaan has set a good example of how to apply and take advantage of heat and heat networks.”
The other nominees were Stokman Koudum and PolyStyreneLoop BV. The former produces green gas from 100% cattle manure; the latter aims to start recycling styrofoam from the construction industry from this year.
EZK Energy Award
The EZK Energy Award is presented annually to organizations that stand out positively in the field of energy saving, sustainable energy generation and renewable heat. On Thursday, January 28, Léon Ammerlaan digitally received the award, which includes a cash prize of € 25,000. This happened during the EZK event: Partners in energy challenges. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK) is in charge of presenting it.