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Exploratory studies

  • Foto van schrijver: Commissie Duurzaam
    Commissie Duurzaam
  • 2 apr 2025
  • 5 minuten om te lezen

Bijgewerkt op: 12 feb


In 2024 and 2025, 3 research reports were published:

  • (2 reports) by student teams of Utrecht University of Applied Sciences ("HU");

  • (1 report) by Consultancy Steeds Advies BV ("Steeds").


Both the students and the consultancy firm Steeds conducted their research based on:

  • an inspection of the building, the shell and a number of strategically selected apartments;

  • the construction drawings;

  • the MJOP;

  • the annual accounts for electricity and heating network;

  • and the budget and annual accounts of our VvE.

 

On this basis, the technical possibilities have been mapped out for insulation , ventilation , and for generating and saving energy.


Both the students and Steeds Advies have made a financial calculation of three sustainability scenarios based on:

  • the real energy use;

  • and the costs of necessary interventions, reserves, subsidies and loans.

 

In addition, the Commission also conducted some research itself.


The HU reports

Three teams of students from Utrecht University of Applied Sciences worked on this study project in 2024. All students explored a wide range of construction options for potential applications in Kleiburg. Their starting point was a list of considerations proposed by our Sustainability Committee [ downloadable here ].


Students were in two teams

  • mechanical engineering;

  • technical business administration;

  • and students of REGO (a study aimed at creating and maintaining the built environment such as cities, neighborhoods, buildings and infrastructure).

 

Team 3 (also REGO) consisted of part-time students (who already work in the field alongside their studies) who conducted a feasibility study. This study focused more on what would be the best practical solution.

 

The study project resulted in 3 reports [ download here ]:

  • one report with advice from full-time students;

  • a feasibility study of the part-time students;

  • and a technical design by the part-time students.

The Steeds reports

In the autumn of 2024, consultancy firm Steeds Advies BV (Steeds), financed by the municipality of Amsterdam, conducted a feasibility study on the possibilities for making Kleiburg phase 1 more sustainable. The committee considered it useful to have a professional consultancy firm supplement the HU reports.

 

The committee assumed that this consultancy would also review the reports written by HU students and incorporate their findings. However, during the process, this proved not to be the case:

  • Steeds Advies uses a standard computer model;

  • Steeds was unable to include a number of the innovative possibilities mentioned by the students in his research, as they were not included in the computer model.


While disappointing in this regard, the advice is nevertheless valuable, particularly as the impact of various topics provides a clear insight into the financial consequences for owners.


The research resulted in the following report: [ Download here ].


Own research

When writing the articles for this website, questions sometimes arose that were not answered in the reports.

 

In seeking answers to these questions, the committee also submitted the questions to the AI search engine Perplexity .

  • Perplexity is an AI-powered search engine that answers your questions instantly in plain language and immediately shows sources;

  • The AI search engine scours the web for each question and retrieves information in real time, so answers are up-to-date;

  • The answers given were checked for accuracy on the websites of relevant sources.



Shared conclusions

The HU and Steeds studies state that the main areas for improvement for Kleiburg are mainly the insulation of the shell and the ventilation in the apartments .


Our own research also showed that dynamic adjustment of the hot water system could be an interesting measure:

  • This measure has not been investigated by either the students or Steeds;

  • Dynamic balancing would lead to a longer lifespan of the risers, fewer leaks and blockages due to magnetite/sludge, and savings on heating costs.

 

Under the chapter "The research results" the findings and recommendations will be addressed individually. The following will also be addressed:

  • what are the benefits in terms of energy savings, comfort and health;

  • what are the costs and payback period;

  • financing options;

  • any comments from the committee.



The implementation phase - The customized advice

(step 6 in our sustainability process " The way " )


What is a customized advice?

A tailor-made advice

  • is an independent , guaranteed sustainability advice at building level that specifically states which energy-saving measures make the most sense technically and financially for that specific building;

  • describes the various measures and packages of measures with investment costs, savings and payback period including costs and benefits;

  • and must be drawn up by an advisor/company with, among other things, BRL 9500-02 certification to guarantee quality and independence.


For a VvE Energy Saving Loan from the National Heat Fund, a Customized VvE Energy Advice is required ; this advice provides the basis for the selected measures and measure packages.


The customized advice forms the basis for three choice packages, with concrete, building-specific scenarios including costs, benefits, and payback period, so that the homeowners' association can choose accordingly.


Costs of customized advice

For a 100-apartment building with 11 floors, a customized consultation costs approximately €20,000 to €30,000, based on a typical price of €200-300 per apartment. For large, complex high-rise buildings (including extensive surveys, a resident survey, and long-term maintenance plan integration), this can increase to €35,000 due to additional hours for the roof/facade/elevator and communal systems.

To request this advice, the AGM must give permission and grant a mandate.


Subsidy

The SVVE subsidy (RVO) reimburses up to 50% of the costs for sustainability research at homeowners' associations, with a maximum of €12,500 for larger complexes.


The SVVE subsidy for customized advice must be applied for before the start of the advice process, ideally immediately after the first ALV mandate for the financing of this advice.


Read all about saving, borrowing and subsidies here .




Note: a distinction must be made between exploratory studies, and tailored research and advice:

Exploratory studies (currently)


Description: reports produced during the orientation phase. These feasibility studies focus on whether something is, in principle, possible — technically, financially, legally and organizationally.


Involved parties: this includes reports by students from Hogeschool Utrecht (HU) and Steeds Advies B.V. (“Steeds”). Additional research carried out by the committee also falls within this category.

Tailored research and advice (later in the process)


Description: research and advice are required as preparation for implementation. They focus on concrete measures, the sequence in which they should be carried out, and their financial and energy impacts per building. Such advice is required by the National Warmtefonds as a condition for providing loans.


This research has not yet been carried out.



Do you have any questions, ideas or would you like to share your experiences?

Email us at duurzaamkleiburg1@gmail.com . Together we'll chart a path toward a future-proof Kleiburg.


 
 
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