Energy piles in the Netherlands
Themes: Energy, Structural Engineering
Early prototype
A TRL is a measure to indicate the matureness of a developing technology. When an innovative idea is discovered it is often not directly suitable for application. Usually such novel idea is subjected to further experimentation, testing and prototyping before it can be implemented. The image below shows how to read TRL’s to categorise the innovative ideas.
Click to enlarge
Why?
Energy piles are a technology to heat and cool buildings. Construction companies remain reluctant to apply it because of the potential failure risks due to unforeseen cyclic thermal stresses. No worldwide design method is accepted yet.
How?
The technology is developed and validated for Dutch application in laboratory and full-scale tests and with numerical modelling. Efficiency, design methods, energy saving potential, and more is investigated for short term (seasonal) and long term (years) periods.
When?
A full-scale energy pile demonstrator at The Green Village will be complemented with lab-scale experiments. This research will enhance the feasibility of commercial application in the Netherlands.
Dr. Rafid Al-Khoury