Phase 1 | Geothermal energy storage drilling for sustainable energy in Tinbergen Building

Energy-efficient and reliable   

A thermal energy storage system is an energy system that stores heat and cold in the ground to cool and heat a building in a highly energy-efficient and reliable manner. Such a system can save up to 80% in energy. This is therefore an important step towards a more sustainable campus.   

The following buildings on campus are already connected to thermal energy storage sources:  

• Erasmus Pavilion (including the first floor of the Hatta building);  

• University Library;  

• Polak Building;  

• Sanders Building;  

• Sports Building;  

• Langeveld Building; 

• Theil Building. 

Special drilling machine 

Four boreholes are required for the Tinbergen Building’s thermal energy storage system: two for heat storage and two for cold storage. The two heat sources will be located in Park Noord, and the two cold sources near the north-east campus entrance (near Buildings F and G). 

Ruud van Eck, Terrain Project Manager at Real Estate & Facilities, explains what the drilling involves: “A special drilling rig will be set up in Park Noord to drill a hole at least 200 (!) metres deep, down to the desired sand and groundwater layer (aquifer). We will then insert over one hundred pipes with filters and encase them in gravel”.   

Closed entrance and detour from 15 June!  

The drilling work in Park Noord is not expected to cause much, if any, disruption.   

The drilling work at the North-East campus entrance will start around 15 June and is likely to cause more disruption, as a diversion route will be put in place. Read more here.