Blijdorp Zoo and Eneco team up for a sustainable future
Blijdorp Zoo and Eneco are working together on the construction of a thermal energy storage (TES) system next to the Oceanium area. The heat pumps of this system, which is going to balance the energy demand of various animal enclosures in a smart manner, were installed today. This big step forward in providing heating for a significant part of Blijdorp Zoo without the use of natural gas is also going to reduce carbon emissions by 751 tons. The smart exchange of heat and cold makes it possible to keep the king penguins cool at 10-11°C, provide a steady 24°C for the sharks and a tropical temperature of 27°C for the butterflies.
The TES system is part of a broader affiliation between Blijdorp Zoo and Eneco. Today also marks the start of an energy partnership for the next five years. Blijdorp Zoo and Eneco will be taking big steps towards further improving the sustainability of the zoo’s energy supply.
Various longer-term sustainability projects
The TES system will be put into operation next spring, resulting in a natural gas-free Oceanium, Amazonica and, when completed, new entrance area. Eneco and Blijdorp Zoo are also working together on a number of other sustainability improvement projects. These include supplying the zoo with green energy generated by Slufterdam wind farm in the Maasvlakte area, renewing the solar panels on the roof of the Oceanium and increasing the number of EV charging stations. By showing them the importance of making the future more sustainable we will also involve our customers and visitors in these processes. Together we will take action to inspire people even more to take good care of the earth.
Local power
Blijdorp Zoo is committed to nature preservation and animal welfare and is continuously working towards sustainable business operations. In its master plan for the period to 2030, Blijdorp Zoo states that its ambition is to reduce its carbon footprint by more than 100% by 2030. Despite the difficult period in view of the Covid measures, Blijdorp and Eneco have been working hard on continuing their efforts towards achieving this ambition, now and in the future.
Erik Zevenbergen, director Blijdorp Zoo: “Blijdorp Zoo aims to inspire its visitors to take good care of the planet. We do this in a number of ways and by showing them what they can do themselves. In Eneco we have found a partner who in difficult times continued to support us in our effort not to lose track of our sustainable ambitions. By working together with Eneco, Blijdorp Zoo is taking a major step towards a sustainable future.”
Dick Velings, director Eneco B2B: Eneco strives to contribute to a liveable planet so that future generations will also be able to enjoy it. The zoo shows what the beauty of nature and animal diversity can bring us. This is why we are proud to be working together with Blijdorp Zoo on reducing their carbon footprint.”
Arno Bonte, alderman in charge of sustainability: “I find it very commendable that the Oceanium and Amazonica areas will become natural-gas free. Heating Blijdorp Zoo in a sustainable manner from now on saves hundreds of tons of carbon emissions each year and will bring us considerably closer to achieving Rotterdam’s climate objectives. Blijdorp Zoo and Eneco are a shining example to other companies and organisations in Rotterdam. It is with initiatives like this that we are building a climate neutral city together.”
The workings of the TES: drilling to a depth of 230 metres
The TES consists of two sources at a depth of 230 metres below the ground. The cold source is used to store cold in the winter that will be used to provide cooling in the summer. The warm source is used to store heat during the summer period that will be used to provide heating in the winter. The installation of the TES means that it will not be necessary to continue to use the gas-fuelled central heating installations in the different buildings.