The built environment can and must make a major contribution to achieving CO2 emission reduction targets. However, achieving these targets requires a new attitude from governments, industry and consumers, particularly where sustainability issues at area level (residential areas, business parks, educational campuses, etc.) are concerned. Collaboration between public and private parties at various levels and an integrated approach are essential in this regard.
DWA brings parties together and acts as a director in the complex palette of political, technical, financial, organisational and legal elements. We combine process and content with the aim of achieving an integrated sustainable energy supply. In addition to process and content, DWA is also the partner for support during the implementation process and the management of the facility. In this way, we can manage the tender process, draw up supply contracts and monitor and if necessary optimise the energy supply.
The era of natural gas is coming to an end. How do we transition to sustainable alternatives? This transition requires cooperation between a large number of parties. Parties that would not normally come together and often have different interests. Take governments, network operators, energy providers, project developers and end users, for example. In this transition process, besides contributing knowledge and expertise, as an independent process facilitator DWA also brings parties together. We make expectations and goals a reality, work on commitment and draw up a plan and a financing structure. Ultimately, we ensure that the transition is achieved together. We do this at regional, local and building level. And we have being doing so for the past thirty years.
Many municipalities have heat networks high up on their agenda. It is one of the options to achieve gasless areas. Obviously, it is important that good residual heat sources are used.
Smart Thermal Grids are able to better coordinate the demand for energy according to the actual supply and the available capacity. They are a necessary part of a sustainable decentralised energy supply. Using smart energy networks, we exchange energy flows between different types of building functions (normally located in close proximity). In time we can use these smart networks to convert surplus electricity to heat. Residents, businesses and institutions can then benefit from the smart energy facility. In cooperation with stakeholders, DWA is developing an energy model to achieve CO2 reduction on the one hand, and on the other hand to exchange energy between the buildings.
Real estate owners have a responsibility to make their real estate portfolio sustainable. DWA supports parties in this by making the current situation transparent and then drawing up a transition plan (which measures are required, what are the cost consequences and at what natural moment can the implementation take place) for sustainability.
Martijn Koop
e-mail: martijn.koop@dwa.nl
phone: +31 6 128 297 78
Hans van der Heide
e-mail: heide@dwa.nl
phone: +31 6 202 102 20
