The campus is becoming increasingly sustainable! The University of Groningen (RUG), through its Energy & Sustainability Program, is actively working with WarmteStad to transition its buildings off natural gas. This week, they shared an update about connecting nine buildings and three tennis domes on the Zernike Campus to the district heating network.
Discussions with various stakeholders took place last week. In consultation, the RUG determined when work can or cannot proceed to minimize disruptions. Based on this, the RUG will decide on the exact start date, which will be communicated soon.
Who is WarmteStad?
The municipality Groningen wants to get rid of natural gas by 2035. WarmteStad is established through a collaboration between the municipality of Groningen and Waterbedrijf Groningen. WarmteStad, as the public heating company, provides sustainable heating and cooling in the city. This is the mostobvious alternative to natural gas; Self-sufficient, non-profit and not dependent on fossil energy or distant suppliers.
WarmteStad utilises heat that would otherwise be thrown away. The residual heat from data centres QTS and Bytesnet on Zernike Campus is used to heat homes and buildings. In 2022, the WarmteCentrale was hereby opened, which contributes to making the city more sustainable. WarmteStad also uses heat from natural sources such as sun, water and air. In 2024, the solar heat park Dorkwerd, north of Zernike Campus, was commissioned. This is one of the largest solar heat parks in Europe. WarmteStad captures the summer heat via the park and stores it to warm buildings and homes in winter when it is cold.
Connections
The connection of the 9 buildings and 3 tennis domes is a logical step towards achieving the goal of a gas-free Zernike Campus in 2026, and the legally required reduction of CO2. In 2025, Nijenborgh 4, Blauwborgje 10, Nadorstplein 2a, 2d and 3, Duisenberg and the Smitsborg will be connected. The Bernoulliborg and Linnaeusborg are planned for 2027.
The Sports Centre will be connected to WarmteStad in November 2024. Since the infrastructure is already here, it is a relatively small operation. In the few years that the old Sports Centre is still there, we will already save 85,000 m3 of gas per year (181,000 kg CO2). That is comparable to the annual gas consumption of 71 households.
Where will the work take place?
To connect the buildings around Nijenborgh, WarmteStad needs to extend its main route. They want to make this extension from Blauwborgje to Nijenborgh. To cause as little inconvenience as possible and open up as few roads as possible, WarmteStad has decided to lay these pipelines by underground drilling.
It is estimated that WarmteStad will take about 9 weeks in total, including preparations and follow-up work.
The picture below shows where the pipeline will be laid. Near the Knickerbockers football fields, the pipeline will be pushed under the ground and in front of the Energy Academy it will come up again. It will be an underground drilling operation under the pond and the bus lane.
Curious about the full article? Visit the University of Groningen's website for more information!
Source: University of Groningen
Photo: University of Groningen / Google Earth
