Heat and cold distribution - HVC Groep

HVC supplies heat to businesses at the Boekelermeer business estate in Alkmaar. But we have a lot more heat to spare, so we have plans to expand our heat distribution operations.

We have explored the possibility of supplying heat to the towns of Alkmaar and Heiloo. We started by identifying and mapping all the new developments and renovation projects in Alkmaar. 

Overdie and Overstad
There are a large number of residential developments being built in Alkmaar. Several of these are within reach of our heat supply. To use it they will need to be connected to the existing heat distribution network. Pipes will have to be laid from the plant to the centre of Alkmaar through the residential area of Overdie. With these pipes approximately 2,500 dwellings in Overdie and the same number in Overstad can be connected to the network. 

Underground pipe network
The municipal executive of Alkmaar plans to make it possible to construct an underground pipe network through the city. 

Schelphoek and Zandzoom
We generate sufficient heat for approximately 10,000 dwellings. The first development in Alkmaar that will start using our heat is the Schelphoek, from early 2009. In Heiloo the Zandzoom residential area (approximately 2,000 dwellings) is to be developed in the next few years. Preliminary calculations indicate that there may also be opportunities for us to supply heat to this area. 

Cooling as well as heating
There is demand not only for heat, but also increasingly for cold, both for offices and dwellings. We have explored whether it is possible to produce and supply cold using absorption cooling. This technology enables us to use heat to produce cold. The alternative is to use energy inefficient, noisy air conditioners and that is something both we and the municipality of Alkmaar wish to avoid. 

Examples
You would need 55 solar panels to make the equivalent saving in carbon dioxide emissions for one family using heat from us during one year. That is the same as the carbon dioxide emissions of 10,000 car kilometres, or a car travelling from Alkmaar to Beijing. By working together we (heat supplier) and the municipalities (initiator of new developments and renovation projects) save 600 tonnes of carbon dioxide for every 500 dwellings.