In this section, we speak with key figures who have made a significant contribution to the development and realisation of Geothermie Delft: partners, suppliers, experts, and government bodies. Read about their experiences, motivations, and lessons learned.
History is being made in the heart of the bustling TU Delft Campus, yet you would hardly notice it. This is largely thanks to Project Manager Eric van Bennekom and Senior Project Engineer Erik Blom. As the geothermal plant rises amongst the existing buildings, they ensure that TU Delft students can take their exams undisturbed, while the Municipality of Delft is seamlessly connected to a sustainable heat source.
What does a typical day on the construction site look like for you?
Eric van Bennekom: "Following the drilling phase of the wells, where I was responsible for external safety and the surrounding environment, the construction of the above-ground geothermal installations began. Since then, my focus has shifted more towards project engineering, cost control, and technical supervision. Erik and I complement each other well; he handles the day-to-day management on-site, while I focus on the commercial side and procurement. We meet every week to discuss progress: what has been achieved, what can be improved, and where do we need to adjust? The construction site is located in the middle of a campus where people are constantly present and students are always cycling past. External safety and coordination with the surrounding area are, therefore, absolutely critical."
Erik Blom: "I am responsible for the daily order and tidiness of the site. That might sound simple, but in a place where thirty people are working simultaneously and equipment weighing thousands of kilograms is being moved, it is vital. You cannot afford any mistakes; it would compromise safety."
What role does TU Delft play?
Erik Blom: "What makes this project unique is the collaboration with TU Delft’s research departments. While we extract geothermal heat, faculty researchers are conducting continuous studies right here. The fact that we are advancing science at the exact location where we generate energy is something you won't find anywhere else. It is truly research in practice."
Eric van Bennekom: "The combined heat and power plant was already located on the campus. The introduction of Geothermie Delft is intended as a sustainable replacement for that gas-fired plant. The urgency to transition away from gas has never been as significant or as prominent as it is now. That awareness is now widespread—from the political arena right through to people’s homes."
