The Dutch City of Bolsward’s Energy Plan Will Use Residual Heat from Extinct Volcanoes

The Netherlands has long been associated with its iconic windmills, but there is a growing interest in exploring alternative sources of sustainable energy. One ambitious plan in the Dutch city of Bolsward aims to tap into the residual heat of an extinct volcano deep under the Wadden Sea. This bold initiative is led by Stichting Ontwikkeling Geothermie Friesland (Stogef), a community-driven organization that envisions a future where geothermal energy becomes a reliable and affordable source of power for the region.

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The brainchild of Ynze Salverda, a board member of Stogef and a veteran of the oil and gas industry, the idea initially seemed eccentric. However, extensive research revealed a layer of porous stone deep below the ground with a temperature of approximately 90°C. This discovery sparked the notion of using geothermal energy as a sustainable alternative to the towering wind turbines that have come to dominate the Dutch landscape.

The concept behind geothermal energy in Bolsward involves utilizing a “doublet” technique. Water is pumped up from the underground through a production well, and its heat is extracted using a heat exchanger. The now-cooled water is then reinjected via an injection well, completing the cycle and leaving a minimal environmental footprint.

Energie Beheer Nederland, the country’s public energy company, believes that eventually, 25% of the Dutch heat demand could be met by harnessing geothermal energy. Presently, there are 26 non-volcanic geothermal energy projects in operation, primarily focused on heating greenhouses between The Hague and Rotterdam. The government has also undertaken a national mapping project, aiming to more than double geothermal production by 2030.

Phil Vardon, a professor of energy geomechanics at Delft University of Technology, is leading a significant geothermal project in Delft. The project, which drills 2.5km-deep, will provide heat to the university campus and the equivalent of 10,000 houses. While the volcano in Bolsward is considered a “gimmick,” it has been observed to locally increase the temperature, as demonstrated by temperature maps derived from drilling projects.

Despite its potential, the initiative faces some challenges. There are concerns about water flow and the relatively limited thickness of the geothermal reservoir. Nevertheless, Energiewerkplaats Fryslân, a network of professionals supporting local energy initiatives, has published an “exploratory investigation” into the feasibility of implementing a district heating system that involves 500-meter or 3km-deep structures. The estimated cost for the project is between €143m and €188m, and the local community is enthusiastic about taking ownership of the endeavor, dubbing it “MienskipsEnergie” or community energy.

The local council of South-west Friesland is actively pursuing the development of alternative energy sources and envisions setting up a public heating network in the region. They hope to begin drilling for geothermal heat in Bolsward around 2027. However, authorities are also mindful of the lessons learned from a gas extraction scandal in Groningen that caused damaging earthquakes. The Dutch mining regulator is keen on understanding and mitigating potential risks associated with geothermal projects.

Despite the uncertainties, Diana Tronco, the chief executive of Inco-Drilling and an adviser to the project, remains optimistic about the potential of geothermal energy. She highlights the balanced nature of geothermal drilling, which involves both extracting and re-injecting water, mitigating environmental concerns.

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