In the search for more sustainability, Eandis tries to make as much use as possible of the energy nature offers us. Therefore we will soon start with the construction of a heat network that will use the energy coming from the new geothermal energy plant in Mol, to heat hudreds of buildings in the area.
How does it work?
A geothermal energy plant, such as the one at VITO in Mol, uses high temperatures from underlying earth layers to meet the energy needs on the surface in a sustainable way. This plant pumps up 130 °C hot water from a depth of more than 3 km. This water is cooled down to 90 °C so that it can be used to heat homes, businesses, schools, and so on. The used water (now only 40 °C) flows back to the plant after which it is reheated.
But before that happens, we must of course provide the pipes to bring that hot water from A to B and back again. A heat network, a network of isolated pipes, will ensure this. Together with the municipalitites of Dessel and Mol, VITO and Kempens Warmtebedrijf, Eandis is fully engaged in the development and construction of this network and expects to connect the first companies and individual homes as of 2018.
The heat network in figures
The heat network will cover approximately 30 kilometres and run from the geothermal energy plant to the Bocholt-Herentals canal and Mol and Dessel. This also includes a horizontal drilling under the canal, to avoid disturbing inland navigation.
If the project is fully realised, 1 800 buildings will be connected. This heat network will eventually save about 22 600 tons of CO2 per year, comparable to a forest of 112 500 trees.
Partnership
The development of this project takes place in collaboration with Eandis, municipalities Mol and Dessel, VITO and Kempens Warmtebedrijf:
Eandis is project leader and coordinates the construction
VITO is building the geothermal energy plant at the former Balmatt site in Mol-Donk, from where the heat network will leave
Kempens Warmtebedrijf takes the role of heat supplier
And the municipal councils of Mol and Dessel monitor the activities taking place on their territories and support the communication
Where and when will the works take place?
Of course, it is not able to realise a heat network with more than 30 km of pipes, overnight. Therefore the heat network will be built in different phases. In the first instance, we will connect a number of large consumers. To provide these institutions and building projects we will install temporary combustion plants on natural gas. These will be removed once the heat network is connected to the deep geothermal energy plant.
In Dessel, the construction of the heat network will start in April 2018, between the new parceling at Elsakker II and the social housing estate De Ark, running through Molsebaan, Hannekestraat, Turnhoutsebaan and Kattenbos. From there on, the pipes will go via Duinbergstraat to the social housing estate De Ark in Brasel.
In Mol, the works will start as of May 2018, between sports hall Den Uyt and a new construction project on the corner of Vennestraat and Martelarenstraat. After the construction leave, we will also realise a small heat network for new serviceflats on the corner of Guido Gezellestraat and Bergstraat.
Before every new construction phase, communication with local residents and traders will take place. Of course, timely communication on possible local (traffic) nuisance will be provided.