New heat road
In the Port of Rotterdam, a large amount of heat is released from industrial processes. This residual heat now disappears into the atmosphere or is discharged into water, whereas it could very well be used to heat homes or businesses. This is the idea behind the heat network: residual heat that is left over is reused elsewhere through a network of pipes. This will soon make many individual gas-fired boilers redundant. Thanks to the construction of the heat network, 70 to 80 kilotons less CO2 is emitted annually.
Renewable energy
A unique heat network is currently being built in Rotterdam. This contract has been awarded to Visser & Smit Hanab, a sister company of Van Hattum and Blankevoort and both part of VolkerWessels, by Warmte Bedrijf Rotterdam. The company is known for its expertise in connections, networks and installations for water and energy. Van Hattum and Blankevoort are responsible for the civil engineering and construction work on the buildings where the pump installations are located. Integral cooperation is the strength of the VolkerWessels companies, where unburdening and proactive action are paramount.
The heat transport network includes 26 kilometers of underground piping. Booster stations, or pump stations, are used to keep the water in the pipeline network at the right pressure. The pipeline route extends from AVR - Van Gansewinkel's Waste and Energy Plant in Rozenburg to the heart of Rotterdam. The heat network is designed so that along the entire route other companies can also purchase or supply heat. Moreover, it can be linked to other sustainable energy sources such as geothermal, biomass and solar energy. This ultimately results in an even greater CO₂ reduction.
Integral collaboration
Van Hattum en Blankevoort is responsible for the civil engineering and construction work on Booster Station Hoogvliet, Booster Station Groene Kruisweg and Warmtehub Brielselaan. These buildings house the pumping systems that must keep the water in the pipes at the right pressure.