Groene Hart: Soil + Water + Energy
The landscape in Het Groene Hart is characterized by vast polders, waterways, and historic villages, faces challenges such as land subsidence, rising energy demands, and the preservation of the natural environment. Therefore, het Groene Hart is searching for solutions to organize energy supply by 2050 while ensuring the sustainable preservation of the soil and water systems.
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Location
Groene Hart, NetherlandsYear
2022Program
Climate adaptation, Soil and Water, Energy, Biodiversity, Agriculture -
Wing
GroenLicht
Generation.Energy -
Bestuurlijk Platform Groene Hart
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Project manager
Rens WijnakkerTeam members
Duong Bui
Mark Slierings
Jin-Ah Duijghuisen
“Het Groene Hart is seeking solutions to arrange energy supply by 2050 while ensuring the sustainable conservation of the soil and water systems in a clear and easily navigable landscape.”
— Rens Wijnakker
In collaboration with Wing, Groen Licht, and Generation Energy, various design studies have been conducted on behalf of the governing platform of het Groene Hart to explore spatial solutions. These studies focus on the synergy between sustainable energy and nature conservation in The Green Heart. The result is a series of inspiring perspectives for an energy-rich and future-proof landscape in 2050. This vision carefully maintains the harmony between the vital elements of soil and water while simultaneously addressing the growing energy demand.
The design research, with the results from the sub-studies, has led to three perspectives on the Green Heart. The titles are Robuuste Polder in het Groene Hart (Robust Polder in the Green Heart), Gemengd Palet door het Groene Hart (Mixed palette through the Green Heart) and Sterke Randen aan het Groene Hart (Strong Edges on the Green Heart).
Robuste Polders assumes a large-scale adjustment of the water system. In addition, peat forests will be created on the ground, consisting of thick peat layers, so that soil subsidence will stop and there will also be room for large wind farms in the forest. Parks with solar panels fit in the reclaimed land.
Mixed Palette assumes higher groundwater levels in the peat meadows and many different conditions and land uses. This creates reasons for extensive solar energy setups and medium wind turbines (1MW). Large-scale wind energy follows the flow belts of the rivers through the Green Heart.
Strong edges places generation in urban areas. Due to the limited space in the cities, there will also be large-scale generation of solar and wind energy in the reclaimed lands.
To know more about the project you can consult the online report Groene Energie in het Greone Hart van 2050
Floating PV on a water basin in the reclaimed land. The basin is located at the ground level of the polder, so that the water can be let in under free fall during drought. The PV prevents evaporation.
With solar panels, level fluctuation is not a problem, it can be optimized based on the circumstances.
In the foreground peat moss development with solar panels. Some peat moss species grow in the shade of the panels. In the background a reed peat forest with wind turbines.
Perspective 1 Robuuste Polders
Perspective 2 Gemengd Palet
Perspective 3 Sterke Randen
Perspective 1
Perspective 2
Perspective 3
Perspective 1
Perspective 2
Perspective 3
Perspective 1
Perspective 2
Perspective 3
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