Wind energy - FAQ

Utrecht University aims to be carbon neutral by 2030. As energy and mobility are currently the greatest contributors to the university's total carbon footprint, one of our key objectives is to boost the sustainability of our energy production and consumption. For this reason, our initial efforts focus on conserving energy, maximising our own generation of sustainable energy and getting the absolute most out of any fossil fuels required to supplement our supply of sustainable energy. This is in line with one of Utrecht University's four strategic research themes: Pathways to Sustainability. Wind energy is an effective way to generate green electricity and can make a substantial contribution to our sustainability goals.

Utrecht University wants to be CO2 neutral by 2030. At this moment, energy and mobility have the greatest impact on the university's total CO2 emissions. That is why making energy production and energy usage more sustainable is an important goal of the university. First, we focus on saving energy, generating as much sustainable energy as possible on the university's own premises and, lastly, making the most of the fossil fuels that are still needed at that time. The university has limited opportunities to generate its own sustainable energy. For example, the use of biomass is highly debatable when it comes to the supply of biomass, but also when it comes to emissions from burning biomass. The university does not support this. In that case, only solar and wind energy remain as common sustainable energy production techniques. We need them both to get close to our ambition. Especially if we want others to participate in the projects at the Utrecht Science Park. The advantage of wind energy is that it requires relatively little space. A combination of solar and wind energy provides the most optimal load on the electricity network. When the wind blows, the sun usually shines less and vice versa.

Utrecht University aims to be carbon neutral by 2030. The university wishes to take responsibility for the impact of its educational operations on the environment and maximise its contribution to the energy transition. As energy and mobility are currently the greatest contributors to the university's total carbon footprint, one of our key objectives is to boost the sustainability of our energy production and consumption. For this reason, our initial efforts focus on conserving energy, maximising our own generation of sustainable energy, transitioning to sustainable energy and getting the absolute most out of any fossil fuels required to supplement our supply of sustainable energy.

In 2018, following a request submitted by the University Council and on the instructions of the Real Estate & Campus department, the consulting firm Bosch & Van Rijn conducted a study to investigate opportunities to generate wind energy in Utrecht Science Park (USP). They examined and inventoried the best possible locations at USP for several classes of wind turbines (large, smaller and innovative). The feasibility study is a follow up to Bosch & Van Rijn's study. The objective is to explore opportunities to construct two large wind turbines alongside the A28 motorway near the Rijnsweerd junction, with a particular focus on the impact on the surrounding area and the level of support for the plan among local residents, business owners and other parties. We will also examine the financial viability of the plan.

The Utrecht University Executive Board wishes to explore opportunities to construct two large wind turbines alongside the A28 motorway near the Rijnsweerd junction, with a particular focus on the impact on the surrounding area and the level of support for the plan among local residents, business owners and other parties. We will also examine the financial viability of the plan. The exploratory study is in line with the university's ambition to be carbon-neutral by 2030. Wind energy may significantly boost the university's chances of achieving this goal.

The height of wind turbines is known as the 'tip height': the highest point reached by the blades. In principle, the feasibility study will feature two scenarios, the first of which involves two wind turbines with a tip height of between 170 and 180 metres and a hub height (the central point of the blades) of around 120 metres. The second scenario is based on insufficient space being available for two wind turbines despite the findings of the Bosch & Van Rijn study, in which case the scenario will involve one larger wind turbine with a tip height of around 220 metres and a hub height of approximately 135 metres.

Wind turbines with a tip height of around 170 to 180 metres catch a lot of wind and deliver a much higher relative quantity of electricity than other types of wind energy technology such as small turbines on top of houses or middle-sized wind turbines (77 metres). Therefore, many more devices of this type are required to generate the same amount of sustainable electricity. Two wind turbines with a tip height of between 170 and 180 metres or one turbine with a tip height of around 220 metres would allow the university to make around one-third (20% and 30% respectively) of its electricity consumption sustainable. The university's Executive Board is not ruling out the possibility of using other locations or other types of wind energy technology after this initial exploratory study, although these scenarios will not be included in the scope of this exploratory study.

These two wind turbines would enable the university to make approximately one-third of its electricity consumption sustainable. In the future, this proportion may even increase further as UU's energy needs appear to be decreasing over time due to an increasing number of energy-efficient buildings being constructed.

Utrecht University has made the decision to generate as much energy as possible on its own grounds. The university wishes to take responsibility for the impact of its educational operations on the environment and maximise its contribution to the energy transition. A study by consultancy firm Bosch & Van Rijn found that only a limited number of sites would be suitable to accommodate wind turbines. In other locations on the university grounds, obstacles were identified such as noise level restrictions, external safety and the approach path for the UMCU's air ambulance. The site near the A27/A28 motorways was the most suitable location identified by the Bosch & Van Rijn study. The other site deemed moderately suitable is the area near De Tolakker in the south-east of Utrecht Science Park. Utrecht University decided not to investigate this site further at this time due to the proximity of Amelisweerd Park and the built-up area in Bunnik, among other factors.

Utrecht University aims to be carbon neutral by 2030. As energy and mobility are currently the greatest contributors to the university's total carbon footprint, one of our key objectives is to boost the sustainability of our energy production and consumption. For this reason, our initial efforts focus on conserving energy, maximising our own generation of sustainable energy and getting the absolute most out of any fossil fuels required to supplement our supply of sustainable energy.

Utrecht University owns the land on which the site is located and is the initiator of this feasibility study. Naturally, we will closely collaborate with the Municipality of Utrecht and the Province of Utrecht as well as involving interest groups, community councils and other representatives of parties in the area in the process.

Input from people in the surrounding area will be a vital part of this feasibility study. In this regard, we will work in accordance with the Municipality of Utrecht's municipal vision to the greatest extent possible by getting residents and local businesses involved. Would you like to have your say too? If so, you can find more information on the municipality's website. Naturally, you can also consult the university for more information. Would you like to know more about the feasibility study or get involved in Utrecht University's energy transition? If so, then please contact energy programme manager Jolt Oostra by sending an e-mail to windenergie@uu.nl.

Utrecht University realises that wind turbines can impact the surrounding area. At the very least, we will comply with all legal standards, and we are also investigating measures that we can implement in addition to our statutory obligations. In this regard, it is very important to us that local residents and business owners have their say during the feasibility study and raise any possible concerns they may have. This can result in solutions such as installation of ultra-quiet wind turbines or switching off wind turbines during possible periods of shadow flicker. For these purposes, the university will use information from the government, the NWEA and environmental organisations concerning shadow flicker, healthy noise levels, house prices, landscapes, nature and other issues. This information, together with the input from local parties, will be an extremely important part of the feasibility study.

Shadow flicker is the shadow created by moving turbine blades when the sun is in a certain position. We are currently unable to provide any information on shadow flicker and this is one of the issues that the feasibility study must address. Utrecht University realises that wind turbines can affect the surrounding area and for this reason the feasibility study will examine whether surrounding residences and businesses may be affected by shadow flicker. In any event, our basic principle is that shadow flicker on building facades will certainly not exceed the legal and national limit. In practical terms, this amounts – in principle – to a maximum of 6 hours per year. Utrecht University will strive to meet this legal standard at the very least, although we are also investigating whether the impact can be further reduced.

We are currently unable to provide any information on this matter and this is one of the issues that the feasibility study must address. Utrecht University realises that wind turbines can impact the surrounding area. The feasibility study is therefore intended to examine whether the surrounding residences and businesses would be able to hear the wind turbines while they are in operation. Utrecht University will strive to meet this legal standard at the very least, although we are also investigating whether the impact can be further reduced. Wind turbines rotate slowly when the wind levels are low, so at these moments, very little noise would be produced. The noise levels increase as the wind speed rises above force 3 on the Beaufort scale. To prevent health issues relating to noise pollution, the government has set noise standards with which all wind turbines must comply. For example, wind turbines must not create noise levels of above 47 dB Lden (day–evening level) per year at the front of residential buildings, and the night limit is even stricter than the day limit. More information on wind turbine noise levels can be found on the RVO's website. The unit of measurement for sound is the decibel. Click the following link for examples of different noise levels.

As site owner and initiator, the Executive Board of Utrecht University will decide whether to proceed with the initiative and which methods are to be used. This decision is expected to be made at the start of 2021 and a number of steps will then follow. The municipal or provincial government will determine whether or not to grant a permit for the installation of the wind turbines. Which authority will be responsible for issuing the permit depends on the total power generated by the wind turbines. Therefore, either the Municipality of Utrecht or the Province of Utrecht will ultimately decide whether the wind turbines will be installed. To the greatest extent possible, we will gather input for this project in line with the process established as part of the Municipality of Utrecht's municipal vision.

Would you like to have your say too? If so, visit this website. Naturally, you can also consult the university for more information. Would you like to know more about the feasibility study or get involved in Utrecht University's energy transition? If so, then please contact energy programme manager Jolt Oostra by sending an e-mail to windenergie@uu.nl.

The feasibility study commenced in February 2020 and we hope to receive initial results before summer 2020. The study will run for at least a year due to delays stemming from the measures to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. A consultation evening will – hopefully – be held in or around June within the context of the Municipality of Utrecht's municipal vision website. This event will not exclusively discuss the feasibility study into wind turbines, although it will of course be included in the discussion of the plans for Utrecht Science Park. If there is sufficient demand among the parties involved, then the university will organise additional informative events specifically dedicated to the theme of wind power.

Would you like to know more about the feasibility study or get involved in Utrecht University's energy transition? If so, then please contact energy programme manager Jolt Oostra by sending an e-mail to windenergie@uu.nl.

Based on the results of the feasibility study, the Executive Board of Utrecht University is expected to make a decision at the start of 2021 regarding whether or not to proceed with the initiative. In the event of an affirmative decision by the Executive Board, the process of obtaining a permit will begin, a new project will be set up and a new schedule will be determined.

The feasibility study is being conducted in association with parties working and residing in and around the science park. It is important to Utrecht University that people in the surrounding area are closely involved in the feasibility study. We have already informed representatives of several stakeholders of the initiative, including SSH, the USP Foundation and the tenants' and residents' associations of Utrecht Science Park. Furthermore, a variety of consultations on the feasibility study will soon be held with both internal and external parties. Most of the input for this feasibility study will be collected as part of the procedure for the municipal vision. For instance, an initial major information session on the municipal vision was held in January, and a second one will be held in or around June. If there is demand for additional information sessions on wind energy, then these will be organised.

Would you like to know more about the feasibility study or get involved in Utrecht University's energy transition? If so, then please contact energy programme manager Jolt Oostra by sending an e-mail to windenergie@uu.nl.