Kiwa is making significant progress with the expansion and sustainability of its test facilities and office at Wilmersdorf in Apeldoorn. It is expanding the laboratory with all kinds of test facilities, such as in the field of hydrogen technology and the Internet of Things (IoT). The site will also accommodate Europe's largest heat pump laboratory. Fully automated, for testing different types of heat pumps.
Kiwa has been investing tens of millions of euros in these and other test facilities in Apeldoorn since 2020. This positions it as a knowledge partner in the energy transition. Completion of the renovated building and all new facilities is planned for the summer of 2021. Kiwa is thus building on its position as an expert on all kinds of vital infrastructures. Such as energy supply and various internet applications, including IoT.
"We are expanding our location in Apeldoorn in several areas," says Jan Pieter Bijkerk, Vice President of Kiwa. "Not only to create a modern and attractive working environment for our employees, but also to apply new technologies. For instance, in addition to the qualitative performance of heat pumps, we also test electrical safety in the laboratory. And we respond to the development that more and more manufacturers of Internet IoT equipment - such as 'smart' doorbells, thermostats, lighting or refrigerators - want the cybersecurity of their products tested by an independent party." So Kiwa is deploying its new electrical security testing facilities more broadly than just for heat pumps.
Hydrogen technology
Kiwa is convinced that hydrogen technology will make a major contribution to the energy transition. Recently, energy companies urged the government to enable hydrogen application in existing situations. With its investments in hydrogen laboratories, Kiwa wants to contribute to the safe application of hydrogen in the context of the necessary energy transition. The institute made a similar contribution in the switch from city gas to natural gas in the 1960s. This makes Kiwa a sustainable partner that contributes to the transition to ever cleaner energy supplies on the basis of high-quality knowledge each time. Hydrogen not only acts as a substitute fuel for natural gas-fired heating appliances, but is also used to store excess electricity generated, for example from wind energy. The aforementioned heat pumps then use the electricity from hydrogen in turn.
Knowledge partner in energy transition
Besides its position as expert in the field of heat pumps and IoT, Kiwa is also broadening its role as knowledge partner and trainer in the field of hydrogen in the context of the energy transition. A new test line for hydrogen pipes and components has also been built. And training rooms and laboratories for testing and approving hydrogen-capable products will be added. Kiwa further offers organisations the opportunity to discover the added value of hydrogen applications. Among other things, with the help of the so-called hydrogen table. This allows them to carry out experiments together with Kiwa experts to experience the differences and similarities between natural gas and hydrogen.
Accessible
Kiwa's hydrogen experts thus introduce customers, students or schoolchildren to the possibilities of hydrogen in an accessible and responsible way. They gain more insight into what it means, for example, if hydrogen becomes part of a household and a central heating boiler gets its energy from hydrogen. In cooperation with the energy sector, Kiwa will also train mechanics to convert natural gas-fired appliances to hydrogen. Safe application is the outcome of all these activities by Kiwa.
Fire Laboratory
"The heat pump laboratory is based on the very latest technology. So that we can also test heat pumps with flammable refrigerants, such as propane," says Bijkerk. "In 2021, we want to expand these facilities further. So that electrical safety tests for heat pumps can be carried out. This will allow performance and safety testing to European standards and certification based on international standards in one location. Thanks to the high-quality equipment of this laboratory, Kiwa can certify organisations' products faster and significantly reduce lead times. It also plans to carry out leak tests with flammable refrigerants at the Apeldoorn location.
Finally, research and testing facilities for mobility infrastructure are also moving to the new laboratory in Apeldoorn. By bringing together the various labs, Kiwa is creating a state-of-the-art laboratory focused on road construction. With the aim of improving roads, airports, industrial estates and dike coverings, among other things.
It is special that Kiwa will soon be able to offer all these facilities at one location. As a result, all tests will henceforth take place in one place, benefiting efficiency.
New sustainable image
The renovation introduces several energy-saving features that make the building more sustainable. For example, the existing office building will be revitalised. Improved insulation and 1,000 solar panels on the main building, the halls and the new garage for measuring vehicles. This will provide a capacity of 300,000 Kwh, enabling Kiwa to provide 11 per cent of its electricity consumption in Apeldoorn. In addition, Kiwa will generate 518 MWh of electricity per year through cogeneration. In which it will use the released heat of 1058 MWh to heat the building.
Furthermore, the entire building will get a more modern look and the workplaces will also be modernised. A completely new main entrance will provide a professional look and better reception for customers. Also, all window frames have now been replaced and fitted with Hr++ glass. Like the facade, the roof has also been provided with better insulation and new roofing. Furthermore, the fluorescent lighting has been replaced with energy-efficient LED lighting. Sensors ensure that lighting is not left on unnecessarily.
