Site Houthaven, Amsterdam, NEXT-Buildings project
We had the opportunity to meet the partners of the NEXT-Buildings project, funded by the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration, during their General Assembly meeting on 8 and 9 June, 2016 in Amsterdam.
During the first day, we met the urban planner for the Houthaven demonstration site in Amsterdam and the creator of the Houthaven model Mr. Piet Koster. He gave a one-hour presentation which you might think is long, but we were completely captivated by his great manner of storytelling. Piet provided insight into the history of Houthaven, how he and his colleagues have encouraged interaction between the old and new neighbouring communities, as well as background and considerations for choosing the particular solutions. It was a pleasure and a privilege to have the opportunity to learn more about this.
The meeting of the second day took place on the site of the ambitious Houthaven project, which is located on banks of the wide IJ river. Houthaven is one of the three locations (together with Helsingborg and Lyon) in the NEXT-Buildings, one of the four projects that emerged from the Energy efficient Buildings (EeB) call for “Very low energy buildings” in the 7th Framework Program . The others are DIRECTION, NEED4B and BuildSmart.
The Houthaven model, Amsterdam, NEXT-Buildings project
Houthaven, a former harbor, where already 200 years ago wood from Scandinavia was imported, is a new climate neutral area under construction. More than 2000 dwellings and houseboats and about 40,000m2 of public and commercial buildings will be realised there. We got somehow jealous of the beautiful view the future inhabitants will have, enjoying fresh breeze coming from the water while watching the boats and ships passing along. Standing there felt a bit like a holiday.
The NEXT-Buildings project is demonstrating some innovative technologies that fit nicely in the road to energy neutral neighborhoods. We could see this in a live demonstration at the Houthaven site.
About ten apartment blocks, which are under construction now (Block 0) are connected to district heating utilising waste heat from a waste incineration plant in the Amsterdam harbor area. Cooling is realised by cold storage using cold from the local IJ river. Solar photovoltaic (PV) roofing will contribute to electricity generation.
An interesting feature of the Houthaven development is the so-called Collective Private Enterprising, which allows the future inhabitants to make decisions regarding many aspects of their to-be-built houses. They select the architect and commission the construction of dwellings to the builder of their choice. The City Council of Amsterdam accepted the role of an umbrella organisation that acts on behalf of the private persons. As the City Council has the necessary competencies for such a role, this proved to be a success.
Moreover, within the Collective Private Enterprising, private persons are supposed to raise money for their future house. Due to the financial crisis and in order to be able to streamline this process, the Municipality of Amsterdam decided to divide the first building block to be constructed (Block 0, now partly delivered and partly under construction) into smaller parts of eight-nine plots or units. Each time, an advertisement for purchase of these plots was announced in the newspapers. From those who applied, the actual buyers were drawn by lot.
Site Houthaven, Amsterdam, NEXT-Buildings project
Further research includes a novel PV façade and transmission controllable glazing. The project partner Hartmut Hillmer from the University of Kassel brought a rather big box called a baby doll house for a demonstration of the transmission controllable glazing. Everybody was watching while holding their breath… and it worked! This is an amazing innovative technology under development that might save energy and bring more thermal and light comfort to those living or working in a space fitted with this glazing.
In the other two sites in Lyon (France) and in Helsingborg (Sweden), different innovative technologies are being applied, such as the use of rapeseed oil for combined heat and power (CHP), user involvement with user interface and demand control including use of electric cars for electricity storage, etc.
The NEXT-Buildings project with its three demonstration sites shows that innovative technologies and innovative approach can make a difference and let the ambitious projects happen.
About the author
Bronia Jablonska joined the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) in 2000 working in the Energy Technology in the Built Environment group. Since 2011, she has been working with the ECN Policy Studies unit. Bronia has been involved in projects dealing with energy efficiency, renewable energy and renovation in the built environment, and among other things she focused on concepts and scenarios for energy neutral districts, smart cities stakeholders’ platform and conceptual, financial and social aspects of energy hubs for districts. Before her career at ECN, Bronia accepted a position at Damen Consultants, a Dutch research and consultancy company in the field of energy in the built environment. Bronia has a Master’s degrees in Science in Surface Constructions and Building Services and in Science in Environmental Sciences and Policy.
Paul van den Oosterkamp is Senior Energy Advisor at ECN Policy Studies. Paul studied Chemical Engineering in Delft and graduated in organic chemistry and catalysis. Thereafter he worked for 14 years in various functions in KTI Benelux (now Technip) with a focus on R&D in hydrogen technology, petrochemicals & refinery technology. He joined ECN in 2001, as group leader for Fuel Cell Systems and later group leader for Hydrogen Production and Fuel Cell Systems within the unit Hydrogen and Clean Fossil Fuels (HSF). From 2006 to 2009 he has worked as manager of the group PSE (Process Systems Engineering) at E&S. From 2009 to date Paul works in the unit Policy Studies in different functions: group manager, business development, integrated energy studies. He is involved as senior advisor in a number of projects (national, European and international). In 2008 he achieved an executive MBA at Twente School of Management (TSM).