Towards Circular Soil Energy in 2050

The KWR report Verkenning milieuprofiel van open bodemenergiesystemen met levenscyclusanalyse shows which distinctive components are important for the environmental profile of soil energy systems. An inventory and analysis have shown that PVC, stainless steel and HDPE are most decisive in the material and resource consumption of the underground component of soil energy. Additional analysis has shown that the electricity consumption of a soil energy system in the use phase is more decisive for the environmental profile (with the current power mix) than the material and resource use of the underground component. The report includes recommendations for improving the environmental profile by increasing the system capacity, extending lifetimes, and making materials and resources more sustainable.

For the TNO report Onderzoek naar materiaaldegradatie van open bodemenergiesystemen (OBES), samples were taken from a new PVC pipe, and PVC material from an open-soil-energy system (OBES) pipe, that had been in use underground for twenty years. Analysis of the material has shown that there was no mechanical degradation and only limited chemical aging after twenty years. The degree of aging is difficult to explain, also because no samples were available of the new PVC that was used originally.

Follow-up research

Follow-up research is focusing on elaborating the options for making material consumption more sustainable and therefore to actually improve the environmental profile of soil energy systems. The integrity and longevity of resources are an important boundary condition. In addition, work is taking place to upgrade our understanding of circularity by establishing the environmental profile for closed systems, and the perspective for the consumption of materials and commodities relative to the more efficient electricity consumption of soil energy systems in the use phase. The results will also be useful for improving the environmental profile of other subsurface infrastructure.

The public and private partners in the research consortium – the City of Amsterdam, the Provincial Authority of Noord-Holland, VHGM, IF, Kiwa, Haitjema, Methorst and Techniplan – are inviting everyone to work on improving circularity for your sustainable solutions that are already in place.

The Dutch version of this news article was taken from the website of the Delta Technology TKI.