Successful collaboration with Sparkling Projects
The contact between Equans and Royal FloraHolland was established through Sparkling Projects. “This refrigeration consultancy based in Apeldoorn asked us to submit a tender for a future-proof solution for cooling and heating,” explains Commercial Director Mitch Dalmeijer. Equans’ technical expertise and innovative system design were the deciding factors in being awarded the contract.
“At Royal FloraHolland, we are installing a flower cold store, supplemented by a heat pump compressor that can produce water at 70˚C”, says Mitch. The system is designed to both cool flowers and produce hot water for heating buildings, production halls and offices. This creates a single integrated energy system that responds flexibly to current cooling and heating demands.
Reason: phasing out gas
The main reason for the project is the phasing out of the existing gas boilers. Mitch: “Royal FloraHolland is investing in future-proof and sustainable hubs. Whereas hot water is currently produced using gas-fired boilers, it will soon be produced using a heat pump that utilises waste heat from the refrigeration system.”
Special design with dual condenser and roof heating
What makes this system unique is the use of a so-called dual condenser. “In summer, this acts as a condenser for the cooling system, and in winter as an air cooler for the heat pump. Heat released from the cooling system (around 30˚C) is upgraded to 70˚C hot water via an additional compressor. This cleverly combines cooling and heating in a single system”, explains Sales Manager Bert IJzerman.
An additional challenge is that the dual condenser is located outside on the roof. Ice can form there in frosty conditions. To prevent this, we have implemented a structural solution: a low-temperature underfloor heating system in the roof. This keeps the roof free of ice and ensures the system can operate reliably even in winter. The system is designed to double its capacity.
With a COP of at least 5.8, this future-proof cooling and heating solution is exceptionally efficient for this type of system. For Royal FloraHolland, this results in annual energy savings of approximately 500,000 m³ of natural gas and, at the same time, a CO₂ reduction of around 900 tonnes. Once phase 2 is completed – in which the system will be expanded with two additional heat pumps – the total natural gas savings could rise further to around 700,000 m³ per year.
Grants as part of the business case
Sparkling Projects advised Royal FloraHolland on available grants that make the business case for this investment considerably more attractive. For this project, the floriculture marketplace received not only the DEI+ grant (Demonstration of Energy and Climate Innovation), but also the SDE++ grant (The Sustainable Energy Production and Climate Transition Incentive Scheme). In addition, the EIA (Energy Investment Allowance) applies to the refrigeration aspect of the project. Thanks to these combined grants, the payback period is approximately 6 years; without this financial support, it would be as long as 11 years.
Research: optimising cooling as a heat source
Equans is collaborating with Royal FloraHolland, Wageningen University & Research and Sparkling Projects on a research project within the MOOI programme run by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). The aim is to develop knowledge on the optimal use of cold stores as a heat source for heat pumps, without compromising the product (to be cooled). The partners involved are jointly investing approximately 4 million euros in this research. This innovation is necessary because refrigeration systems and heat pumps are increasingly required to operate when there is a surplus of renewable energy from solar and wind sources. By providing additional cooling at such times or pre-heating a water buffer, green energy can be utilised to the full. The system is already technically equipped for this.
In March 2026, Equans began work at Royal FloraHolland. The installation is expected to be commissioned in October 2026. The flower auction will remain fully operational throughout the works. “This calls for meticulous logistical planning,” says Project Manager Marco Vink. “We are only permitted to transport all the necessary materials within specified time slots. But I have every confidence in the project.”
