Stan Klerks is an advisor at the Municipality of Rotterdams Engineering Bureau. He is working on smart solutions to make the city more sustainable. ‘Thanks to my efforts, Rotterdammers will soon live sustainably, comfortably, and affordably.’
‘Currently, I am involved in the area development of Merwehaven. Many new homes will be built there,’ Klerks begins. ‘We are connecting them to one collective heating system. This system will both heat and cool these homes. I collaborate on how to create such a system. Together with various experts, such as landscape architects, urban planners, and energy company personnel. I ensure that everything we build – from homes to facilities – is as sustainable as possible, with minimal CO2 emissions, such as with this heating system.’
No more boilers or heat pumps needed
More and more new homes, like those in Merwehaven, are being connected to such a collective heating system. It has many advantages compared to current methods. ‘Residents of these homes will no longer need a boiler or heat pump. This saves space in the house and a lot of money. You dont have to buy, install, or maintain the devices. You quickly save a few thousand euros. A collective system also uses less energy, which saves money as well.’
Why else is such a collective system needed? Klerks: ‘If every new home or building had its own heating and cooling system, the electricity grid would be even more heavily burdened. And its already overcrowded in Rotterdam. Such a collective system also saves space on the grid, which can be used for other homes.’
Coming up with smart solutions
‘My work mainly involves talking to people. Thinking along and discussing possibilities and obstacles and their solutions. Such as: where do we get the heat for the heating system? And: how do we ensure the heat reaches the homes? Not all homes are built simultaneously, and you cant incur all costs with the first homes. That would be too expensive for those homeowners. So, we need to come up with smart solutions.’
‘There are also challenges in every area. In the Merwe-Vierhaven area, where the new residential area Merwehaven is coming, there are already many cables and pipes in the ground. So the soil is quite full, and the pipes for the new heating system still have to fit. Thats quite a challenge. Thats why we also work with employees who manage the cables, pipes, and sewers. But also with employees who have knowledge of finance and regulations. Only when everything is correct can we actually create such a system. We are all working hard on that.’
Patience tested
Klerks pauses and then says: ‘You may already feel it coming: its quite complicated to develop such a heating system. Also, such a system is not ready overnight. Weve been planning, integrating, and consulting with energy companies for 1.5 years now. And the last homes in the area wont be built and connected for another 15 years. Its really a long-term project.’
‘The transition to a more sustainable world requires a lot of patience. But I have that. I look forward to the moment when my efforts are visible. Then Ill take my children, who are now 6 and 8 years old, and well bike around the Merwe-Vierhaven. Then Ill tell them: look, here we built homes that are good for people and the planet!’
Pedal yourself!
When asked if he lives sustainably himself, Klerks replies: ‘I have solar panels and take my children to school by bike – just an old-fashioned one, without electric assistance.’ He teaches his children to make conscious choices and see which things make a difference. ‘Why would you charge a battery if you can cycle without it? Or I say that a 15-minute car ride costs much more energy than leaving the lights on in your room all day. And charging your bike lamp batteries doesnt cost as much energy as forgetting to close the window. Yes, I try to teach them the difference between the small and big ‘wins’.
Doing things that make a difference
‘I do that in my work too. No, I dont call out my colleagues for having an electric bike. But I look in my work where we can make big impacts and differences. With a system like were making in Merwehaven, youre laying a foundation that this part of the city could benefit from for maybe 100 years.’
Ultimately, you want to give people and parties building there a message: make it a nice place, that is also sustainable. Both are possible! The collective heating system helps with that. And if that ultimately succeeds, isnt that great? Especially if theres a part you worked on yourself.’
Want more information about what the Engineering Bureau is and what else it does? Visit the page of the Engineering Bureau. Inspired by this story and want to know what vacancies are available at the Municipality of Rotterdam? Visit www.werkenvoorrotterdam.nl