Sustainable energy systems
Lectures Services, PV solar panels, solar boilers and heat pumps at Volta Limburg in Schinnen. Tuesday, 4 July 2017.
In his presentation, our host Hans Schlosser, manager of operations at Volta Limburg, explained the origins and developments of Volta, thus outlining its position in the market
.History of the company
The P.L.E.M. ( Provinciale Limburgse Elektriciteits Maatschappij ) was founded in 1909 and Limagas ( Limburgse Maatschappij voor Gasdistributie ) was founded in 1934. These two companies merged in 1992 to form Mega Limburg. Due to changed legislation, energy suppliers were no longer allowed to operate in the rental market. That was the reason Volta Limburg was founded in 1995 as a rental company for the hot water appliances, which they had put out in the market.
Mega became Essent and now in 2017 Essent is 100% owner of Volta Limburg. Sister companies of Volta form a covering network in this business throughout the Netherlands.
Services
Volta Limburg is a "total caregiver" in and around the home, i.e. they have a network of their own technicians, who are resident throughout the operating area, enabling service to be provided in the living comfort of customers with short response times.
Core values and social activities
In recent years, Volta's core values have changed from focusing on the technology to focusing on the people who use the technology. In other words, one focuses on quality and safety, of people and environment, through openness and transparency.
Through sponsorship in culture, sports and nature, Volta Limburg strives to bring its core values to the attention of the residents of Limburg.
The focus in this therefore changes from pure technology to sustainability, solar collectors, recycling,CO2 reduction and CSR ( Corporate Social Responsibility ).
Current service package and supply of equipment
From the basis - rental, sales and service of boilers and water heaters - we now additionally provide advice and plan implementation with regard to (home) insulation, ventilation, solar boilers, solar panels, heat pumps, smart thermostats ( remote management ) with, in the future, the integration of all these systems into smarthome applications.
Energy saving, Insulation and Heating of homes
Not many developments to modern High Efficiency boilers can be expected anymore; the focus of manufacturers is increasingly on combining low temperature central heating installations, with solar boilers and/or with heat pumps. The use of Fossil fuel for domestic hot water supply will be increasingly phased out in the coming decades. This energy transition process in particular is why Volta Limburg is changing its core values and shifting its focus as described.
Homes will become self-sufficient in energy supply. Insulation and ventilation by means of WTW
( heat recovery ) are therefore the focal points for modern house construction.
Ventilation is very important in today's gap-tight homes.
In his opinion, remote home management (Domotica), by the owner or through a service package from Volta Limburg, will be the future.
PV Solar panels
After a short break, Peter van Slooten, marketing manager of Volta Solar, spoke. As we had announced that we were coming with engineers, he had invited his technical colleague Krishan Boere, Project Leader Volta Solar along, so that the two of them could answer all questions together.
Volta Solar emerged from Eco Pro, an installation company with over a decade of experience. In recent years, under the Volta Limburg umbrella, they have been able, in cooperation with housing corporations and municipalities, to take on and implement larger projects. Volta Solar now works nationwide, but they are certainly also looking at the neighbouring regions of Belgium and Germany.
Peter began his talk by explaining solar panels. This covered returns, investments (money in the bank yields virtually nothing ), environment and energy label of homes.
Tips included:
- start adjusting your habits, turn off lights, switch off appliances, etc.
- look at your own annual statement, what does it actually cost you and how do costs develop?
- use appliances and lighting that consume less;
- never generate more than you need;
- do not generate more than is technically feasible.
With pictures from satellites and modern software, Volta Solar is able to make a unique and appropriate offer for all homes. Roof slopes, position in relation to the sun, shadowing of surrounding objects on PV panels, etc., everything is included in the calculations.
The types and technical differences of the various solar panels were also explained. A new development is the glass-glass panel, the solar cells are packed between two glass plates and therefore this panel has a higher yield and a longer lifespan (less susceptible to moisture).
Krishan explained a graph, technically comparing the solar panels on NASA satellites with the solar panels on our homes. This showed that there are still a lot of efficiency gains to be made, only it is not yet financially viable, as the payback period of a NASA panel was calculated to be 800 years.
In roof ( Built On PV ) systems, are the pv systems where the solar panels also serve as roofing. These systems can be fully integrated into the building, making them part of the architecture of the building.
Inverters (from direct to alternating current) are the heart of the PV system and the advice was definitely not to skimp on them. Again, the various types and technical differences were explained.
Solar boilers
After solar panels, solar water heaters were discussed. The interesting thing about these systems is their integration into the technical installations of the (residential) building. The solar boiler is not only for hot water supply, but can also feed the low-temperature central heating system and, via a connection to the combi boiler, also a high-temperature central heating system and, of course, hot bath water. Also, the solar boiler can supply hot tap water to the dishwasher and washing machine, so that in those machines the washing water no longer needs to be heated.
Heat pumps
Heat pumps and use of geothermal heat (geothermal) were touted as the final link in Volta Limburg's sustainability equipment.
In 2016, JTS Energietechniek was acquired by Volta Solar. This business unit is already well known in the market for its heat pumps.
Conclusion and thanks
This evening gave us a glimpse into the possible future of energy systems in our homes and certainly into the integration of the various systems. After the lectures, therefore, animated conversations arose between the attendees and the speakers.
We therefore sincerely thank Messrs Schlosser, van Slooten and Boere for their welcome, hospitality and contributions to the evening.
Description
Volta Limburg has been active in the rental and maintenance of energy systems in buildings for more than 20 years. A rental portfolio has been built up in residential buildings particularly with private owners.
Where previously a geyser provided hot water and a boiler provided central heating, now a hot water system has been installed that houses both facilities and does so with an efficiency of more than 100%. One of the lectures this evening will highlight developments in this field, perhaps also a glimpse into the future.
Developments in the market do not stand still, which is why Volta has also been active in the PV systems market for 2 years, through its subsidiary Volta Solar. In Limburg, Volta Solar is mainly active in the market cooperating with municipalities in large projects involving many owners.
In addition to the technical specifications of the modern systems, the second speaker this evening will also discuss the design, information and implementation of the aforementioned large projects.
Of course, during the break and after the speeches, there will be an opportunity to ask questions and engage in conversation.
Speaker(s)
Ing. Hans Schlosser
Peter van Slooten
Location
Organiser
Region Limburg South
Name and contact details for information
Ing. Jo Bergers, Board member Activities KIVI Region Limburg South