How does the heat get from the earth into our homes? And what do you need in order to do it?
Geothermal Heat
Around 2,000 metres under The Hague South West is an underground layer of sandstone: the Rijswijk Sands. Sandstone is suitable for pumping up the warm groundwater because it is porous. The water is fully warmed through by the earth’s core and is approximately 75 degrees Celsius.
Geothermal Heat Source
How does the water get to the top? A source with two wells is needed for this: a production well and an injection well. The production well pumps the warm water up and via an injection well the cooled water flows back. In this way the amount of water in the layer of earth remains the same. The heat is then transported to the geothermal power station. The geothermal spring is next to the entrance to the Het Leyendak doctors’ surgery, at the side of the HAGA hospital.
Geothermal Power Station
In the geothermal power station there are heat exchange units that transfer the heat over to the district heating network. Other pumps are used to get the warm water into the houses and companies. The auxiliary boilers make sure that there is the extra heat needed in cold periods and when work is being done on the spring. The geothermal power station will be on the corner of the Zuidwoldestraat and the Leyweg, where the tram terminal loop is.
District Heating Network
The district heating network goes via a distribution network to different subareas. In each subarea the warm water is further divided via a smaller connection network to the homes and any offices, schools, shops, etc.
Underfloor Heating
All new homes will have underfloor heating. This is one way of heating that will add to the comfort of living. Residents can enjoy all over warmth, no wasted space through radiators and less dust in their homes. Also each home will have an energy meter that measures energy use. Currently we are looking to see if we can convert existing homes over to geothermal heating.
