Technology

The mine water energy concepts on the pilot locations in Heerlen are in principle as follows:

-Mine water is extracted from different wells with different temperature levels;

-The extracted mine water is transported by a primary energy grid to local energy stations;

-In local energy stations heat exchange takes place between the primary grid (wells to energy station) and the secondary grid (energy station to buildings);

-The secondary energy grid provides low temperature heating (~ 35 – 40 C) and high temperature cooling (16 – 18 C) supply and one combined return (20 – 23 C);

-The temperature levels of the heating and cooling supply are “guarded” in the local energy stations by a polygeneration concept existing of heat pumps in combination with gas fired boilers and a bidirectional grid;

-The bidirectional grid allows that a surplus of heat in buildings (for example, in summer, cooling, process heat) which can not used directly in the local energy stations can be lead back to the mine water wells for storage;

-If necessary local sub-energy stations in buildings for preparation of DHW by heat pumps, small scale CHP or condensing gas boiler, depending on type of building and specific energy profile;

-Control by an Intelligent Energy Management System including telemetering of the energy uses/flows at the end-users (in buildings, dwellings and apartments).