To achieve climate neutrality by 2050, much work is yet to be done in the Netherlands. We must seize all opportunities to make our energy supply more sustainable. One such method is WarmtelinQ. With this new underground main transport system, WarmtelinQ and Eneco are ensuring that heat, like residual heat from Rotterdam’s industry, can be effectively utilised for district heating in various cities in South Holland. KH Engineering is responsible for the design and engineering of several crucial components of this new heat transport network.
The heat transported by WarmtelinQ preliminary comes from the waste-to-energy plant AVR, as detailed in a later article in this edition of the KH Engine. ‘Currently, they have a significant surplus of residual heat’, says Jaap Nagtegaal, Project Manager at KH Engineering. ‘At some point, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate instructed WarmtelinQ to transport this residual heat to urban areas, so that energy companies, in this case Eneco, can use it for district heating. Eventually, the plan is for more companies in the Rotterdam port area to become suppliers of residual heat, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the heat network. Additionally, other sources, such as aquathermy and geothermal energy, can also be used by the heat network in the future.’
Built right the first time
‘We handle the basic engineering of the above-ground heat transfer stations (HTS)’, Jaap continues. ‘We are currently working on one HTS in The Hague and one at Kethelplein in Vlaardingen. We were explicitly asked to deliver a ‘buildable design’. This is achieved by considering the construction during the basic engineering phase. Mitigating risks, designing flexibly, and incorporating practical knowledge is of paramount importance. This may sound obvious, but in practice, it is quite complex. However, we excel in this area. We have created a smart and forward-thinking design, fully modelled in 3D, down to the smallest pipes. We also have regular review meetings with the involved parties to ensure everything can be built correctly the first time.’
Effective collaboration
The involved parties collaborate well. ‘WarmtelinQ places great importance on procedures’, Jaap explains, ‘and on a trust-building collaboration process. On the other hand, Eneco is eager to proceed quickly. As engineers, we had to find an effective mode of collaboration. At the HTS in The Hague, you have to imagine that on one side - where the heat enters - is WarmtelinQ, and from the heat exchanger, it becomes Eneco’s process. We need to meet in the middle, both literally and figuratively. We have weekly meetings for this.’
WarmtelinQ rises to the challenge
Lars Wieling, Engineering Manager at WarmtelinQ, works on WarmtelinQ's project portfolio. The various stakeholders, combined with a new form of energy transport for WarmtelinQ, make it challenging. ‘My role is to structure the collaboration between internal and external engineering on behalf of WarmtelinQ. This yields many valuable new insights. It also requires adjustments in our methods. After all, we have primarily been a gas transport company for sixty years, and now that we are venturing into other energy sources, it demands a different approach.’
Quickly aligning
‘WarmtelinQ is a good example of this’, Lars continues. ‘The various stakeholders we collaborate with often have their own expectations regarding engineering. These expectations do not always align. It pays off to become concrete quickly. If you remain too general for too long or dive too much into details, you lose momentum. KH Engineering anticipates and cooperates well with this. What I appreciate in our collaboration is that we always reach a consensus on what needs to be done quickly, based on facts and with all parties involved. We also see that KH Engineering can effectively translate this into execution, which contributes to the confidence that the design will be built correctly the first time.’
Getting acquainted
Lars adds: ‘Initially, we had to get used to each other. WarmtelinQ operates procedurally, while KH Engineering quickly opts for a pragmatic approach. One does not exclude the other; in fact, they can complement each other. We challenge each other in a healthy way and learn from each other with technology as the connecting factor. WarmtelinQ plays a key role in the energy transition, which brings great responsibility. We boost the necessary adaptability in collaboration with KH Engineering.’
‘Winning Team’
Martin Kiep, Project Manager at Eneco, also finds the collaboration with KH Engineering and WarmtelinQ pleasant and smooth. ‘In a project with so many stakeholders and different parties, I find transparency very important. And that is certainly the case here. We inform each other in a timely manner and work well together. We truly have a ‘winning team’, which is evident in the pace we are now working at. The project team from Eneco has a good rapport with the involved parties, and we have found that KH Engineering really takes ownership. They are very involved and driven to make it a success. We were looking for a partner who could create a fitting technical design from our ideas, and we found that in KH Engineering. They truly convey the message ‘leave it to us, and it will be fine’, and even better, they deliver on that promise.’
Quality work
‘KH Engineering also delivers quality work on the engineering front’, Martin believes. ‘This is reflected in their excellent engineering concept and the outstanding work packages they deliver, which the contractor can immediately start working with. We have also asked KH Engineering to perform ‘owners engineering’ for us, meaning they will oversee the construction in subsequent project phases to ensure everything is built as envisioned.’
Many stakeholders
‘Technically, the process is not that complex’, Jaap states. ‘However, it is a complicated project in terms of stakeholders. We are dealing with the government, which has tasked WarmtelinQ with building this heat transport network, Eneco, which will handle the distribution of the heat to the districts, and Uniper, which owns the building where the HTS in The Hague is being built and will be responsible for managing the Eneco installation. Additionally, we are working in the middle of the city in The Hague, so we must also consider the interests of the network operator, as there are high-voltage lines underground, the HTM, as the tram runs right past the pipeline bridge, and the Monuments Department, as we are working in a monumental liste building.’
Future-proof energy supply
‘The consultation and innovative collaboration proceed smoothly’, Jaap continues. ‘We recently reviewed the basic design with WarmtelinQ to ensure it is entirely approved. We need to take WarmtelinQ through a different type of design than you would use for a natural gas network. The heat network will ultimately result in lower CO2 emissions in the region. As KH Engineering, we are pleased with this project, where we collaborate on a future-proof energy supply. During the engineering phase, we have thought ahead to ensure the final result is realised as envisioned by all involved. Our input, knowledge, and expertise are genuinely valued by both WarmtelinQ and Eneco.’
For more information about WarmtelinQ: https://www.warmtelinq.nl/
For more information about Eneco: https://www.eneco.nl/
Heat projects result in less CO2 emissions and less natural gas usage. Therefore, Gasunie is constructing WarmtelinQ, an underground pipeline that will use residual heat from the Port of Rotterdam to heat homes and businesses in South Holland. Eneco plays a crucial role in this project by managing the distribution and supply of the residual heat as a heat utility company. The pipeline runs from the Port of Rotterdam via Vlaardingen to The Hague.