Sep 08, 2008 | Amsterdam Renewable cooling improves water quality of Ouderkerkerplas
Nuon is going to provide buildings in Amsterdam ‘Zuidoost’ with renewable cooling. Now that the Water Board of Amstel, Gooi en Vecht has given permission to use water from the ‘Ouderkerkerplas’, Nuon can start up the operation in 2009. The use of the Ouderkerkerplas as a natural source of cooling not only leads to a CO2 reduction of 75% (18,500 tons per year) but also improves the water quality of the lake.
Nuon is going to use the cold water from the Ouderkerkerplas to provide offices and other buildings in the ‘Zuidoost’ Business Park with renewable cooling. Cold water of some 5 to 6 degrees Celsius is extracted from the bottom of the lake and transferred to the distribution network. This cold water is then transported via the network to the buildings, where it is used to cool rooms, computers and servers. The slightly warmed-up water is then immediately returned to the upper layer of the lake.
Research into the impact of renewable cooling is being carried out on behalf of Nuon and the Water Board. Nuon commissioned a voluntary environmental impact report for the project. In addition, Nuon is going to fight phosphates and algae growth by adding oxygen to the water. This is an innovative technique that is already successfully applied in Denmark. This technique can make a contribution towards improving the water quality in the Ouderkerkerplas, as well as in other lakes and large water bodies in the Netherlands. In this way, the cooling project not only leads to renewable and clean cooling, but also to clean swimming water.
About Nuon
Nuon is an ambitious energy company, serving more than three million consumers and organisations with over 10,000 employees in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Nuon produces, transports and delivers electricity, gas, heating and cooling, and engages in energy trading in the major international markets. Nuon also supplies additional services and technological innovations to businesses and consumers. In doing so, Nuon aims to provide a reliable, sustainable and affordable energy supply.
With a turnover of EUR 5.7 billion in 2007, Nuon occupies a prominent position in the Dutch energy market. The shares are held by local and regional authorities. Effective 1 July 2008, Nuon was split into a network company and a production and supply company. The two companies now operate independently under a financial holding company and a joint Management Board.
More information
Nuon Mediarelations
Joost Dekkers, spokesman
Tel.: 020 597 42 00
E-mail: mediarelaties@nuon.com