Why smart heating?

The whole of the Netherlands must get rid of natural gas by 2050, so that we no longer emit CO₂. On Ameland we want to have that job completed by 2035.

How?

We will do this together! The municipality has the legal task of organizing the transition to natural gas-free. Owners of homes and buildings can take energy-saving measures themselves, which are always beneficial.

Step-by-step

View the steps below to see how we will realize natural gas-free homes and other buildings together.

Reduce heat demand

Insulation and other energy saving measures. In this way we make homes and villages more energy efficient. See what you can do yourself >>

Lower boiler temperature

By improving the insulation, you prepare your home for the lower temperatures associated with sustainable heating methods. Is your house not ready for that yet? Then go back to step 1.

Choose a sustainable heat source

In the future we will all switch to a sustainable heat source. These can be individual (in your home) or collective (shared) heat sources.

What suits Ameland best? Based on current knowledge, the following four possible alternatives to natural gas are investigated. Watch the animations to better understand what the options entail and what they mean for you and your home.

High temperature heating network With deep geothermal energy as a source

View animation Hydrogen in gas pipeline With deep geothermal energy as a source

View animation Electrification with heat pump With the outside light or soil as a source individual

View animation Electrification with heat pump With soil or surface water as a source collective

View animation

Watch this animation to see how and why we are switching to sustainable energy.

Process

Some natural gas alternatives are large-scale and collective, such as heating networks or geothermal energy. The city council must ultimately make a decision on this. See the timeline below for more information about the process.

2023

Village conversations Feb/Mar 2023
During the first four discussion evenings, in February and March 2023, a total of approximately 125 Amelanders came together to exchange ideas about sustainable heat for their home.
Village interview 12/12/2023
Following the village discussions at the beginning of 2023, the municipality of Ameland is organizing a new round of discussion evenings. On 12/12 the technology of ‘Geothermal’ is central.
2024

Village discussions in early 2024
At the beginning of 2024, the municipality of Ameland will continue village discussions about the technical possibilities
Advice to the municipal council
The input and insights arising from the village discussions ultimately lead to advice to the Ameland municipal council. This is expected to be in the course of 2024.
2035

Natural gas-free Ameland
On Ameland we want to switch to natural gas-free heating by 2035. In this way we fulfill our Amelander ambition to be at the forefront of the energy transition for fifteen years. As an island we will then be independent of fossil fuels, we will emit almost no CO² and we can largely meet our own heating needs.

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Projects

All projects

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Do it yourself

More do-it-yourself

Roof insulation Flat roof

Roof-insulation Sloping roof

Induction cooking

Insulate, ventilate and moisture

Frequently Asked Questions

All questions

What are the alternatives to heating with natural gas?

The alternative is green energy or ambient heat. Green energy can be used to produce hydrogen or drive heat pumps. Geothermal energy is heat extracted from deep layers of the earth. We do not yet know which heat source is best for Ameland. We are investigating the technical possibilities, feasibility, affordability and security of supply. That is why we are now looking at four different options: geothermal, hydrogen, individual heat pumps or a collective heat pump.

How do the options affect my home?

The municipality of Ameland is investigating possible alternatives to heating without natural gas for feasibility and affordability. It is also investigated which adjustments are needed in the house/buildings. Residents are informed about this during discussion evenings and through other communication channels of the municipality of Ameland.

Can you provide all Amelanders with heat with geothermal energy?

Yes, that’s possible. If a heating network with geothermal energy is created, it would be beneficial if as many islanders, companies and holiday homes as possible participate. Want to know more about how geothermal energy works? Then watch the animation.

How long does it take to install geothermal energy and a heating network?

An estimate has been made of 7 years. This mainly has to do with the required permit processes and safety and quality testing of geothermal energy. In theory, the construction of a heating network can be built part by part tomorrow. In order to achieve the 2035 target, we must take that period into account.

What does a heat pump look like?

A heat pump uses free heat from the environment, usually from the outside air, but the heat can also come from the ground. Using electricity, he converts it into heat that can be used to heat a house. It is possible to install a heat pump in every home, but sometimes it is smarter to make a collective installation for several homes. Watch the animation for more information about how a heat pump works.

What is the advantage of hydrogen?

You do not need to install a heating network and we can probably use the existing natural gas network for this. This still needs to be investigated. A disadvantage of hydrogen is that it requires a lot of green energy to make it. Watch the animation for more information about how hydrogen technology works.

Is having its own energy company for Ameland a realistic option?

Our own Amelander energy company is certainly an option that we are currently exploring, but it depends on the technical direction we take together. What this means for costs is being investigated at the same time. Ideally, we can keep costs as low as possible by not having a commercial party involved. In Denmark there are numerous examples of what we want to learn from.

What can you do yourself?

In addition to the research that the municipality of Ameland is currently conducting, owners of homes and buildings are faced with choices about taking steps towards natural gas-free heating. Some investments are always good (such as insulation), but other decisions (such as purchasing a heat pump) you may not want to make until more is known about the plans for the entire island.