Dutch University Becomes First to Power Campus with Underground Heat from 2-Kilometer Deep Well

2026-02-28 green

Delft, Saturday, 28 February 2026.
TU Delft has successfully activated Europe’s most ambitious campus geothermal project, tapping heat from 2 kilometers beneath the earth to power university buildings and student housing. The breakthrough system, which originated from a 2007 student idea discussed in a pub, is expected to slash carbon emissions by 80% by 2027. Beyond heating, the well serves as a living laboratory, collecting unprecedented data to advance geothermal technology across the Netherlands.

From Student Vision to Campus Reality

The geothermal well on TU Delft Campus was officially put into operation on February 27, 2026, marking the culmination of nearly two decades of development [1][2]. The project traces its origins to 2007, when a group of Delft students, gathered over drinks in a pub, first conceived the idea of heating their campus using geothermal energy [1][2]. “This project began in 2007 with an idea from a group of Delft students who, over a drink in a pub, wondered whether we could heat our own campus using geothermal energy. Years of engineering and collaboration later, there is now a fully operational geothermal well right in the heart of the city,” explained Hester Bijl, Rector Magnificus of TU Delft [1][2].

Technical Specifications and Partnership Structure

The Geothermie Delft project represents a collaboration between TU Delft, Gaia Energy, and EBN (Energie Beheer Nederland), featuring a geothermal well that reaches 2 kilometers beneath the earth’s surface [1][2]. The well now supplies sustainable heat to the majority of university buildings as well as several DUWO student housing complexes [2]. The system is enhanced by High Temperature Storage (HTO) technology, which allows excess heat produced during summer months to be stored in underground permeable layers for use during winter periods of higher demand [6]. This innovative combination of geothermal energy, high temperature storage, and smart heating networks demonstrates how collective sustainable heating can work in practice [5].

Environmental Impact and Emission Reductions

The transition to geothermal energy is projected to deliver substantial environmental benefits, with CO₂ emissions from building heating expected to decrease by approximately 80% by 2027 [1][2]. As of February 2026, Geothermie Delft has begun providing sustainable geothermal energy to the TU Delft Campus and student housing [5]. The project aims to expand significantly in the coming years, with plans to connect approximately 6,000 homes to the heating network [5][8]. Later in 2026, the Voorhof and Buitenhof neighborhoods in Delft are scheduled to be connected to the district heating network, with the ultimate goal of serving approximately 15,000 homes and businesses [8].

Research Applications and Data Collection

Beyond its primary function as a heating source, the TU Delft geothermal well serves as a crucial research facility equipped with measuring instruments designed to collect data for advanced simulation models [1][2]. Phil Vardon, head of the Geothermal Science & Engineering research theme, emphasized the dual purpose of the installation: “The well will provide heat, but above all it enables us to generate essential and much-needed scientific knowledge about geothermal energy. In addition, it offers students a unique opportunity: direct access to real-life data and hands-on experience. This is not only valuable for TU Delft, but also for accelerating the energy transition as a whole” [1][2]. TU Delft functions as the driving force behind the scientific research program of Geothermie Delft, serving simultaneously as researcher, site holder, and first user of the geothermal heat [1]. The well enables research into the interaction between water and rock at depths of 2,000 meters, generating data that aims to make geothermal energy more predictable, efficient, and safer for broader deployment across the Netherlands [3].

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geothermal energy sustainable campus