Netherlands - Gas consumption drastically reduced by using sprinkler tanks as a heat source

Breda, 10 February 2025 – SPIE, the independent European leader in multi-technical services in energy and communications, is working with the Dutch scale-up Sprinkler Energy in the Netherlands on an innovative technology that uses sprinkler tanks as an energy source. This collaboration offers companies in various industries a sustainable and cost-effective solution to drastically reduce gas consumption.

SPIE Nederland and Sprinkler Energy collaborate on innovative water technology

The technology offers an efficient and cost-effective way to heat distribution centres and horticultural and industrial sites without relying on natural gas. The system connects existing on-site water sources such as sprinkler tanks, which are typically only turned on in the event of a fire, to various heat pumps. These heat pumps (air-water and water-water) use the water from sprinkler tanks as an energy source, allowing buildings to be heated efficiently and cost-effectively. Companies can save up to 100 percent on their annual gas consumption this way. SPIE Nederland and Sprinkler Energy will further expand this patented technology and roll it out on a larger scale.

Successful pilot wins Energy Challenge 

Sprinkler tanks contain hundreds of thousands of litres of water that are typically only used to extinguish fires. Richard de Vos, founder of Sprinkler Energy, explains how the idea for this patented system originated in 2019: “We realised that this stagnant water has enormous potential as an additional free energy source. A successful pilot study at the distribution centre of AS Watson, the parent company of Kruidvat, proved that the system could achieve significant energy savings, with a reduction in gas consumption of up to 60% at the Kruidvat location in Heteren. This result not only earned us the Energy Challenge award from the province of Gelderland; it also underlines the power and potential of this technology”.

Scalability and internationalization

A key benefit of the collaboration between SPIE and Sprinkler Energy is the scalability of the technology. SPIE has flexible manufacturing facilities at which it can handle mechanical assembly, including the detailed engineering and production of the electrical control system and regulation technology. SPIE can also assemble the entire system and transport it to end customers. Multiple systems can be built simultaneously as demand increases, enabling Sprinkler Energy to serve larger-scale customers without sacrificing quality or reliability.

“We have the capacity and expertise to build and standardise machines, something that will greatly help Sprinkler Energy make their idea a reality on a large scale,” says SPIE's Sjef Wijnen, operational manager of the Machinebouw business unit. “Our goal is to develop different models of this system and deliver it to customers quickly. Together, we optimised the technology and made scalability central to the design.”

With the goal of installing 1,000 systems before 2030, SPIE and Sprinkler Energy are aiming for annual gas savings of 120 million cubic meters, the equivalent of the consumption of 80,000 households. Both parties are also looking at opportunities to roll out the technology internationally to countries such as Belgium and Germany.