The Zeeland housing association Beveland wonen is using ice to heat 21 homes in Goes. This project, dubbed 'Het IJs van Columbus', consists of a system that is able to heat homes and tap water without using fossil fuels. Instead, it uses energy that is released when water turns to ice and energy generated by solar collectors on the roof.
At the heart of the system is a large water tank, which is located under the patio at the rear of the house. Heat is withdrawn from this tank to such an extent that the water turns to ice. This process lasts 52 days. Using a heat pump, the water is heated to the right temperature for heating the house and its tap water. Most of the energy is released as the water turns to ice, but heat can also be withdrawn from heated water. The ice in the tank is melted or the water temperature raised using a solar collector on the roof.
At the heart of the system is a large water tank, which is located under the patio at the rear of the house. Heat is withdrawn from this tank to such an extent that the water turns to ice. This process lasts 52 days. Using a heat pump, the water is heated to the right temperature for heating the house and its tap water. Most of the energy is released as the water turns to ice, but heat can also be withdrawn from heated water. The ice in the tank is melted or the water temperature raised using a solar collector on the roof.
Beveland wonen invests in sustainable and innovative solutions for the benefit of its tenants as well as the environment. In the next few years, the largest increase in housing costs will come from rising energy bills. This system ensures that tenants' energy bills remain the same, so that renting a home with Beveland wonen remains affordable. Het IJs van Columbus' is a closed system that does not exhaust fossil fuel reserves, but uses natural resources, such as the energy released when water turns to ice and the heat of the sun. As a result, the system is not harmful to the environment.
'Het IJs van Columbus' is part of a unique collaboration between Beveland Wonen, DELTA Retail, Enduris and Marsaki. Together, these parties form one of the four national demonstration projects of the Smart Energy Collective Nederland: The Goes-West Smart Energy test site. The Goes test site has been made possible by funding from the province of Zeeland and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency.
Beveland wonen has invested around EUR 4 million in homes with ice buffer systems, largely funded by BNG Bank. In total, BNG Bank has supplied Beveland wonen with around EUR 120 million of funding.
We are the bank for the Dutch public sector and we are driven by social impact. We aim to be a natural partner for our clients by helping them addressing the social challenges they have to cope with. Instead of maximising profits, our priority is to maximise the social impact of our activities.
René Goorden
Sectorlead Wonen
