The Blinkerd swimming pool and sport facility in The Hague has made a significant step towards reducing its carbon footprint by adopting a unique energy-efficient solution. As of September 2024, the facility will be heated using thermal energy extracted from the local sewer system, saving approximately 170,000 cubic meters of gas per year.
This innovative approach marks the first time a swimming pool in The Hague has transitioned away from natural gas, making it a pioneering example globally. The technique, known as sewage thermal energy or riothermia, utilizes the stable and reliable temperature of sewage water to heat the facility.
According to project leader Patrick Wagemans, the Blinkerd’s energy transition is part of the city’s broader efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. The initiative relies on a submersible pump installed in the sewage pumping station, which draws up warm wastewater and pumps it through a 100-meter-long pipe to the sport facility and back.
The wastewater is then used to heat a heat pump, which warms the water to 28°C and supplies it directly to the swimming pool. The facility also uses heat exchangers to further heat the building and sport facility. Five heat pumps are installed in total, allowing for more efficient heating and cooling.
To optimize energy efficiency, the Blinkerd has also implemented various sustainable measures, including LED lighting, HR++ glass windows, and ventilation equipment that extracts heat from outside air. Additionally, pool blankets are used to minimize heat loss when the pool is closed.
The Blinkerd’s energy transition project also incorporates aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES), a technology already used to heat and cool The Hague’s city hall. This system stores heat in the ground at a depth of 200 meters during summer months and retrieves it during winter months.
