Why smart heating?

The alternative is green energy or ambient heat. Green energy can be used to produce hydrogen or drive heat pumps. Geothermal energy is heat extracted from deep layers of the earth. We do not yet know which heat source is best for Ameland. We are investigating the technical possibilities, feasibility, affordability and security of supply. That is why we are now looking at four different options: geothermal, hydrogen, individual heat pumps or a collective heat pump.

The municipality of Ameland is investigating possible alternatives to heating without natural gas for feasibility and affordability. It is also investigated which adjustments are needed in the house/buildings. Residents are informed about this during discussion evenings and through other communication channels of the municipality of Ameland.

Yes, that’s possible. If a heating network with geothermal energy is created, it would be beneficial if as many islanders, companies and holiday homes as possible participate. Want to know more about how geothermal energy works? Then watch the animation.

An estimate has been made of 7 years. This mainly has to do with the required permit processes and safety and quality testing of geothermal energy. In theory, the construction of a heating network can be built part by part tomorrow. In order to achieve the 2035 target, we must take that period into account.

A heat pump uses free heat from the environment, usually from the outside air, but the heat can also come from the ground. Using electricity, he converts it into heat that can be used to heat a house. It is possible to install a heat pump in every home, but sometimes it is smarter to make a collective installation for several homes. Watch the animation for more information about how a heat pump works.

You do not need to install a heating network and we can probably use the existing natural gas network for this. This still needs to be investigated. A disadvantage of hydrogen is that it requires a lot of green energy to make it. Watch the animation for more information about how hydrogen technology works.

Our own Amelander energy company is certainly an option that we are currently exploring, but it depends on the technical direction we take together. What this means for costs is being investigated at the same time. Ideally, we can keep costs as low as possible by not having a commercial party involved. In Denmark there are numerous examples of what we want to learn from.

In addition to the research that the municipality of Ameland is currently conducting, owners of homes and buildings are faced with choices about taking steps towards natural gas-free heating. Some investments are always good (such as insulation), but other decisions (such as purchasing a heat pump) you may not want to make until more is known about the plans for the entire island.