Working day and night on safe and sustainable heat

The energy transition requires innovative solutions and reliable people to keep these systems running safely every day. At Gaia Energy, our specialists work daily on the management and maintenance of geothermal installations that provide sustainable heat to the city and the community.

In this interview, Aad, Manager of Operations & Maintenance at Gaia Energy, talks about safety, the partnership with Geothermie Delft, and the pride taken in the work behind one of the most innovative heat projects in the Netherlands.

How do you at Gaia Energy ensure that heat extraction in the city is 100% safe?

“At Gaia Energy, safety always comes first. We work according to the strictest Dutch laws and regulations, but in practice, we go even further. Our installations are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with advanced safety systems.

As soon as there is even the slightest deviation from normal values, the system intervenes immediately. If necessary, the installation is automatically checked and safely shut down. In addition, we work with a team of experienced specialists and professionals who oversee safe and stable operations day and night.”

What happens if the installation is temporarily shut down for maintenance?

“Users of the heat network won't notice a thing. During scheduled maintenance, the TU Delft combined heat and power (CHP) plant takes over the heat supply entirely. This was already the case before the geothermal installation was introduced.

Because the installation is still new, we expect hardly any structural maintenance in the coming period. In the future, we will always plan maintenance work carefully in consultation with TU Delft, preferably during periods of lower heat demand, such as in the warmer months.

The partnership with TU Delft is essential in this regard. Ultimately, both installations have the same goal: a reliable and continuous supply of sustainable heat.”

How has your role changed now that Geothermie Delft is operational?

“At its core, my responsibility remains the same: ensuring that installations run safely, stably, and efficiently. At Gaia Energy, we always do this through long-term service agreements with our clients, in this case, Geothermie Delft.

With the arrival of this installation, the scope of work has become much larger and more complex. It is no longer about one individual installation, but about a smart interplay of sources, systems, and heat networks.

That is why we are actively expanding our team with additional technical specialists. What I personally find most rewarding is the intensive collaboration with the Geothermie Delft team. Together, we are making sustainable heat more intelligently and efficiently available to the city.”

Is the installation performing as expected?

“Expectations were high, but the results are even better than predicted. In the first few weeks, the source produced so much heat that the TU Delft CHP plant could go on standby much earlier than planned. It is wonderful to see how powerfully the installation is already performing. At certain times of the day, the entire heat demand could even be met entirely by the geothermal source.”

What does the Operations & Maintenance process look like?

“At Gaia Energy, we strongly believe in preventive maintenance: prevention is better than cure. During the construction phase, we already extensively analyzed potential technical risks to rule out malfunctions as much as possible. We work with a maintenance program that goes beyond legal requirements. This ensures that the installation continues to function safely, reliably, and in a future-proof manner. The biggest challenge at the moment is finding enough technical personnel. The demand for good technicians is high across the entire sector. At the same time, this work offers enormous opportunities: you are helping to build the energy transition every day and working on innovative projects that make a real impact.”

Who are the people working on-site every day?

“They are committed and highly skilled professionals with a huge passion for technology and sustainability. The team works closely together and is always there for one another. Our colleagues ensure that the installations continue to run optimally and respond quickly to changes in heat demand. They are true professionals who care about the business and the city.”

How is the daily division of tasks between Gaia Energy and Geothermie Delft organized?

Geothermie Delft has entrusted daily operational responsibility to Gaia Energy through a long-term service agreement. This allows GTD to focus on its core tasks, while we handle the management, maintenance, and operational control of the facility. The installations operate largely autonomously. Once everything is optimally calibrated, they produce energy safely and efficiently without the need for continuous on-site staffing. Our Technical Operations Coordinators visit the sites periodically for inspections, oversee maintenance work, and manage external specialists. My own role is primarily focused on the big picture: I monitor safety, performance, and maintenance budgets, and ensure that we are continuously improving.

What are you most proud of in your role as Manager of Operations & Maintenance?

“For me, everything comes together when the installation is running safely, delivering sustainable heat, and the customers are satisfied. Furthermore, I find it special that TU Delft uses our operational data for research into the further sustainability of the Netherlands.

This interview has made me realize once again how extraordinary our work actually is. It sometimes seems like a matter of course, but ultimately, we are all contributing to a more sustainable future. Being responsible for that every day makes me incredibly proud.