Joint sustainability efforts in a complex urban environment
Copyright: Rijksvastgoedbedrijf, Corné Bastiaansen
Project facts
- ClientCentral Government Real Estate Agency (Rijksvastgoedbedrijf), the Province of South Holland, and the Municipality of The Hague
- ChallengeSupporting the broad ERDH sustainability programme to fast-track improvements in over 30 (semi-)public buildings in The Hague’s city centre.
- Date2024–2028
- SolutionA systematic, area-based approach that centres on collaboration to accelerate innovation, leverage economies of scale, and enable integrated sustainability transitions.
- LocationThe Hague
Accelerating sustainability in a complex urban environment
The city centre of The Hague houses over thirty (semi-)public buildings that directly impact spatial planning, user experience, energy consumption, and climate resilience. A significant number of these buildings are owned by the Central Government Real Estate Agency, the Province of South Holland, and the Municipality of The Hague. In 2018, these three public partners launched a Green City Deal to meet their 2050 climate targets by 2040 instead.
This is no small feat. The city faces spatial limitations, grid congestion, and a wide range of stakeholder interests. On top of this, the programme’s initiators aim to lead by example, turning sustainability ambitions into action. Making a real impact requires more than just individual building upgrades—it calls for an integrated approach that connects the building and area levels.
That is where EnergieRijk Den Haag comes in. Together with consortium partners Fakton and AT Osborne, we support the ERDH programme and contribute to its goals and ambitions.
It’s inspiring to see how energy independence, sustainability, and affordability go hand in hand. The ERDH collaboration actively contributes to The Hague’s future.
From surplus heat to smart energy exchange
Within a cluster of buildings in the city centre, we carried out temperature testing that revealed a consistent heat surplus in the thermal energy storage system. Too much cold had been extracted from the ground, disrupting the underground energy balance. By viewing both the buildings and the surrounding area as a whole, we facilitated connections to nearby buildings that needed more heat.
This smart exchange ensures optimal use of sustainable heat, reduces CO₂ emissions by lowering dependency on external (partially fossil) sources, and links multiple buildings through a shared system. The result: improved energy efficiency and system reliability.
Building, area, and knowledge: the key to impact
In the heart of The Hague, innovative and practical solutions are essential. Our role in ERDH goes beyond facilitating collaboration—we drive new ideas. We support the development of creative solutions and help partners engage the right stakeholders both within and beyond their own organisations. We assess feasibility and ensure real estate owners and area managers can embed these ideas into their strategic and operational frameworks.
To fast-track urban sustainability, we focus on three pillars:
- Building: We investigate and implement tangible sustainability measures for each building. With grid congestion in mind, we work to lower peak loads and explore options like battery storage and joint energy contracts. In collaboration with district heating provider Eneco, we test gradual reductions in supply temperature across several buildings. These trials confirm that lower temperatures can maintain comfort levels while enabling a shift to more sustainable energy sources. This allows us to connect multiple buildings to existing thermal storage systems. We track progress in a forecasting model that presents a real-time dashboard of potential and performance.
- Area: Sustainability does not stop at the façade. Collective solutions are developed across city zones. In the World Forum district, for example, we’re developing a joint energy vision that integrates generation, storage, and distribution. Elsewhere in the city centre, we’re exploring how battery systems can reduce peak loads and future-proof energy supply for heritage buildings.
- Knowledge: ERDH functions not only as an implementation programme but also as a knowledge-sharing platform. Numerous guidance documents have already been produced for real estate owners and policymakers, ensuring that insights can be applied elsewhere. We pilot and share innovative solutions—like smarter use of grid capacity and interlinked energy systems—and we organise workshops and sessions to spread knowledge and stimulate new ideas.
Collaboration through the trias territoria
EnergieRijk Den Haag is built on synergy between building-focused and area-based strategies. Central to this is the Trias Territoria principle: reduce energy demand, use and share local renewable sources, and procure sustainably at area level.
What makes this approach powerful is that it’s not just about technical solutions—it’s about collaboration. Linking building-level and area-level actions, and sharing knowledge both within and beyond the programme. Where traditional renovation projects often operate in silos, ERDH breaks through these barriers. This accelerates the energy transition in The Hague and offers insights that are valuable not only to ERDH partners, but to other cities and regions as well.
Synergy between an area- and building-based approach
Applying the Triassic Territories
A visible, scalable, innovative and learning approach
Integrated collaboration between the various organisations, stakeholders, and partners is becoming increasingly important. This enables us to accelerate progress in the energy transition.
To achieve results in a densely populated city centre, it is essential to look beyond individual projects—towards an optimal synergy between buildings and the future area infrastructure.
A proven approach with broader applicability
The ERDH programme began in 2018. Since 2024, the consortium of HaskoningDHV, Fakton, and AT Osborne has been actively involved. In the first year alone, this led to measurable results: lower energy consumption, better grid capacity use, new area-level strategies, and stronger cooperation between building and area stakeholders.
To combine, share, and visualise data, we developed a digital opportunity map (GIS) with a growing project database and toggleable public/private map layers. This helps us draw connections between buildings and their context—improving collaboration on grid congestion and the potential for thermal storage systems.
Exploring grid congestion solutions around het plein
In central The Hague, we conducted an initial assessment into the potential for an innovative energy hub. This would enable buildings in this historic area to collaborate on energy storage and distribution, supported by shared contracts. Bundling and exchanging energy intelligently reduces grid pressure and enhances long-term energy resilience. This initiative shows how collaboration unlocks economies of scale and accelerates the transition in a dense urban environment.
Collaborating in an innovative programme demands constant alignment and adaptability. It’s not a linear journey. The consortium has proven itself a reliable and responsive partner.
Benefits of scale
This programme stands out because it doesn’t focus solely on individual buildings—it leverages the power of collaboration and coherence within an area. That’s essential in an increasingly complex urban context. By bringing together real estate owners, policymakers, and grid operators, we create scale and remove barriers more effectively.
What began as a local initiative in The Hague is now evolving into a replicable model for other urban areas. In doing so, we are advancing the energy transition and sharing valuable insights along the way.
Interested in how this approach could work in your region or real estate portfolio? We’re happy to explore the possibilities with you.
