Some 30 residents and other interested parties came to the meeting at the Nature Centre in Nes on Tuesday 28 May to discuss the (im)possibilities of individual and collective heat pumps for Ameland.
(Im)possibilities of heat pumps
Theo Elfrink of BDH-advies talked about heat pumps. He explained the technology. A heat pump collects heat from outside air, soil or water, raises the temperature using electricity and releases that heat inside the house. This allows a heat pump to make 3 to 5 kilowatt-hours of heat with 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity. There are also collective systems that can heat a group of homes at once.
In addition, Theo and his colleague Guido Janssen talked about the study BDH-advies carried out on behalf of the municipality. What if everyone on Ameland were to install a heat pump? What would that do to noise and to the capacity of the energy network? How do we prevent multiple ground energy systems from affecting each other underground?
Developments research alternatives to natural gas
Luc van Tiggelen (sustainability programme manager of the municipality of Ameland) and Erwin de Boer (energy consultant of the municipality of Ameland) told about the latest developments in the research into alternatives to natural gas. This is done using four scenarios. These are:
- High-temperature heat grid with deep geothermal as a source
- Hydrogen in gas pipeline with deep geothermal as source
- Electrification with heat pump with outdoor light or soil as source
- Electrification with heat pump with soil or surface water as source The aim is to have clarity on deep geothermal heat by 2024; whether and how it can be a feasible, affordable and reliable alternative to natural gas.
Presentations
Missed the presentations or want to have a another look? View them here (in Dutch).
Questions and answers discussed
Several questions were raised during the evening and several ideas emerged. Below are outlines of the content and questions and answers that were discussed.
Why does one heat pump make more noise than another?
A hybrid heat pump and an all-electric outdoor heat pump usually have an outdoor unit. This is similar to an air conditioner. The fan and compressor of this outdoor unit make noise when the heat pump is running. The higher the capacity of the heat pump, the more noise the outdoor unit produces.
The noise is partly determined by:
- The sound power (decibels) of the heat pump. This can be found on the energy label. TIP: When purchasing, choose a silent heat pump.
- Is it a modulating heat pump or not. A modulating heat pump can operate at lower revolutions. The compressor and fan then run ‘at a lower speed’ and therefore make less noise.
- Does the heat pump use a buffer tank? That also helps against frequent switching on and off of the heat pump. The buffer tank holds a supply of hot water for heating. This reduces the need for the heat pump to switch on and off frequently. Efficiency and service life are improved as a result.
- How big is the outdoor unit? A larger model outdoor unit has a larger fan that does not have to turn as hard and therefore makes less noise.
- Is there a soundproofing enclosure sound absorbing layer between the heat pump and wall.
Do you need a permit for a ground source heat pump?
For a home with a sealed-source heat pump, it is mandatory to report it to the province. This goes via www.omgevingsloket.nl
How deep are the pipes with a horizontal ground source heat pump?
About 2 metres deep.
What do you think of air conditioners that can cool and heat?
An air conditioner is an air-to-air heat pump. It’s a different way of heating than using radiators, for example: the air conditioner blows the air out. Not everyone likes that. It is, however, the fastest way of heating.
So which heat pump system is best when it comes to the whole of Ameland?
Each system or combination of different systems has both advantages and disadvantages. That is the conclusion from BDH-advies’s research, which they carried out on behalf of the municipality of Ameland. Further comparison of business cases of heat pumps is still in progress. Especially with individual heat pumps, it is clear that the energy grid becomes overloaded. The municipality of Ameland is including the research results on heat pumps in the larger study on alternatives to natural gas. The municipality is doing this using four scenarios. The aim is to be clear by 2024, at least for deep geothermal energy, whether and how it is a feasible, affordable and reliable alternative to natural gas.
There is a lot of solar energy on Ameland. With a heat buffer, we can benefit from this in both summer and winter. Are you also investigating the possibilities of a heat buffer?
We are currently looking at the generation and distribution of heat across the island. If it is interesting to use buffering for that, we will certainly include it in the overall picture.
The municipality is investigating alternatives to natural gas. How long will it take?
The municipality is studying the alternatives to natural gas using four scenarios. The aim is to be clear for deep geothermal energy whether and how it can be a feasible, affordable and reliable alternative to natural gas by 2024.
Has the second opinion into deep geothermal energy been carried out yet?
This is ongoing. To be allowed to work with deep geothermal energy, a so-called Application for Search Area Geothermal Energy is needed. Part of that application is also a second opinion by independent experts. We will share the results of the application in due course. Together with the results of the study into the feasibility and affordability of a heat network and heat company and insights into the other scenarios, we can weigh up whether deep geothermal energy is a realistic option for Ameland.
Are you also looking at examples of geothermal energy such as in the Wieringermeer?
Yes. We went there about 10 years ago and we are keeping an eye on developments elsewhere in the Netherlands and abroad. Of course, you can always share your ideas with us by emailing duurzaamameland@ameland.nl
New technologies are emerging all the time that may also offer solutions for Ameland. How are you dealing with this?
We keep an eye on developments and are open to your ideas. Of course, you can always share your ideas and suggestions with us by emailing duurzaamameland@ameland.nl.
Are there any pilot projects with regards to heat technology that Ameland is involved in?
Ameland municipality is working through the European project Nessie to increase the workforce of Installers and accelerate the skills needed. Part of this is installing home batteries on Ameland. As soon as this is further developed we will make this known. Heating in the new residential-care complex Ambla will be provided by a heat pump and various ground sources. A heat company is required here. We will take the insights and experiences into our research into alternatives to natural gas.