Schiphol and BAM making Pier E more sustainable on the way towards a gas-free airport
Schiphol and BAM have started a large-scale replacement of the climate control systems at Pier E. Instead of heating with gas-powered boilers, an additional electric heat pump is being installed and new air conditioning units are being connected to the existing thermal energy storage system underground. Key to this project are the efficient use of energy and increased sustainability at the airport. Schiphol's goal is for all its own buildings to be off the gas grid by 2030. This collaboration with BAM at Pier E is a step in the right direction.
BAM Bouw en Techniek will be working on making Pier E fully gas-free while carrying out other maintenance until 2028. Work will begin on installing the new climate control systems before disconnecting the old systems and gas connection. In total, we are installing an additional heat pump and 17 air conditioning units and renovating the existing underground thermal energy storage system in order to sustainably heat and cool the pier using an advanced air system. Whenever possible, the work will be clustered and carried out in phases to minimise inconvenience to passengers and airlines at Pier E. When work is carried out in a particular area, other maintenance will also be done straight away.
Pier E used an average of 290,000 m3 of natural gas each year. That amount must be lowered to zero by 2030. This is only possible if we renew and replace our existing assets. New climate control systems that do not use gas will help us to significantly lower our gas usage. We will be introducing proven solutions, such as thermal energy storage, at Pier E. That's a major task at a location that is always operational. This sometimes makes it a complex puzzle along with other replacement maintenance, but we are eager to get to work.
We are extremely pleased that this collaboration allows us to further help Schiphol with the energy transition and achieve their sustainability ambitions. This is fully in line with BAM's own strategy 'Building a sustainable tomorrow', in which we work hard with our clients to create a sustainable built environment for current and future generations.
Thermal energy storage
At Schiphol, part of the terminal, most of the piers and several offices already partially run on thermal energy storage systems. This is a sustainable system that stores energy underground in the form of heat and cold. Pier E is one of the first piers to make the full transition to thermal energy storage. Using this system makes a significant contribution to reducing the airport's CO₂ emissions.
Sustainable collaboration
These works by BAM Bouw en Techniek are part of a long-term sustainable collaboration between BAM and Schiphol. BAM manages, maintains and optimises the existing infrastructure, improving underground cable and pipe work with a view to electrifying the airport. BAM also performs integral management and maintenance of the installations and structural components of Terminal 3, Schiphol Plaza, piers E, F, G, H and M, fire stations and parking buildings, among others.