Eco Zathe combined heat and power plant
Gerard van Beek

Eco Zathe combined heat and power plant

Bonnema Architecten as Architects

The form of the combined heat and power plant(CHP), the materials used, the detailing and the siting in the landscapegive Eco Zathe an integrated appearance. The Eco Zathe combined heat and power plant supplies some 9,988 homes in theneighbourhoods of Techum and Jabikswoude in De Zuidlanden district with electricity and heat. It is a classic exampleof “neighbourhoodenergy”: utilising sources in the immediate surroundingsto generate energy for local use. The cattleon a Frisianexperimental farmprovidethe fuelfor theheat and power plant. The energy is actuallyproduced from cow dungand hot biogas.


Eco Zathe started as a unique collaboration between the Municipality of Leeuwarden, GEM De Zuidlanden, Nij Bosma Zathe and Essent. The pursuit of sustainability prompted the construction of the heat and power plant. The municipality of Leeuwarden’s long-term objective is to be no longer dependent on fossil fuels. Using biogas at theplant saves natural gas. For De Zuidlanden district the municipality stipulateda reduction of 8%emission of CO2. Essent, in conjunctionwith the partners, developed aninnovative,renewable energy system, one that makes a significant contribution to the energy objective specified. The project can function as a springboard for Leeuwarden to realise a heat conduction circuit that would link up heat sources andconsumers.


The cow dung undergoes anaerobic digestion at Nij Bosma Zathe, an experimental farm. This process also digests grass and waste residue – from the food industry, for example – at the same time. The anaerobic digestion takes approximately eight days. During this processbiogas is released in the anaerobic digester and this is used as fuelfor the gas engineat the Eco Zathe combined heat and power plant. The gas produced at the experimental farm is delivered to the plant 5½ kilometres awayvia a special biogas pipe. The gas flows to Eco Zathe at the same speed as a steadycyclist. The heat generated there is used for heating and hot-water supplies in the homes and institutions in the De Zuidlanden district. It is delivered via Essent’s heating grid. When there is no demand for heating the gas engine cannot deliver heat directly to the homes so the heat generated is stored in two large storage tanks. The tanks have a 65 m3 and 75m3 capacity respectively. If the gas engine and the storage tanks cannot meet the heating demand, then two auxiliary boilers provide extra heat.

Project Credits
Product Spec Sheet

Products Behind Projects
Product Spotlight
News
PLATO Gallery of Contemporary Art: Architecture finalist in Mies van der Rohe Awards 2024
29 Mar 2024 News
PLATO Gallery of Contemporary Art: Architecture finalist in Mies van der Rohe Awards 2024

In this Archello series, we look at each of the seven nominated projects (five architecture finalist... More

Detail: sliding panels of natural pine protect a residential complex from the Mallorcan sun
29 Mar 2024 Detail
Detail: sliding panels of natural pine protect a residential complex from the Mallorcan sun

Spanish architecture firm OHLAB has recently completed Paseo de Mallorca 15, a residential complex o... More

Snøhetta designs new extension for the world’s oldest ski museum in Oslo
28 Mar 2024 News
Snøhetta designs new extension for the world’s oldest ski museum in Oslo

Global transdisciplinary architecture and design practice Snøhetta has designed a new entranc... More

10 public buildings that demonstrate architectural applications of precast concrete
27 Mar 2024 Specification
10 public buildings that demonstrate architectural applications of precast concrete

Precast concrete is made by casting concrete in a reusable mold. These molds are made of various mat... More

Sameep Padora and Associates creates a flowing, organic art center in southern India
26 Mar 2024 News
Sameep Padora & Associates creates a flowing, organic art center in southern India

Mumbai-based Sameep Padora & Associates (sP+a) has completed Hampi Art Labs in Toranagallu, a vi... More

Introducing Partner Thermory AS
26 Mar 2024 Partner News
Introducing Partner Thermory AS

Thermory AS offers a diverse product range that includes durable exterior cladding, decking, interio... More

Brooklyn Tower by ShOP Architects showcases a unique materiality
25 Mar 2024 News
Brooklyn Tower by ShOP Architects showcases a unique materiality

Brooklyn Tower, standing an impressive ninety-three stories tall with a unique neo-deco crown, is al... More

Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright join Archello Awards 2024 jury
25 Mar 2024 Archello Awards
Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright join Archello Awards 2024 jury

Doriana Fuksas, Martin Lesjak, Li Xiang and Steven Wright have been announced as Archello Awards 202... More