Orders 23 million euro for ‘clean air’ schools and energy in education sector

Gouda - Imtech (technical services provider in Europe) has received orders worth 23 million euro for technical solutions in a number of educational institutions in the Netherlands. They include improvements to air quality, which will not only enhance the performance of pupils and students, but also the working climate of the teachers. This is known as the ‘clean air’ school concept. In addition, Imtech is involved in upgrading, renovation and improvement of technical solutions at various educational institutions, including the Campus 2020 project of the Eindhoven University of Technology. For the education sector, energy, the reduction of CO2 emissions and security are major considerations, for which Imtech can offer technical solutions.

René van der Bruggen, CEO of Imtech: ‘Imtech is one of the strongest technology players in the Dutch education sector. More and more educational institutions are setting high demands in terms of energy savings, reducing CO2 emissions and improving security. ‘Smart’ technology makes this possible. The integration of all technical amenities creates total solutions which, in spite of the fact that many budgets are relatively tight, make economic sense.’

‘Clean air’ schools
Together with school boards and local authorities, the Dutch government is committed to better indoor climates in primary schools. Research has shown that pupil performance and the working climate of teachers are adversely affected by poor ventilation and inadequate heating of school buildings. A special grant scheme has been set up in order to bring about improvements in this area. At the same time, Imtech has introduced an attractive all-in-one solution, which not only clears the problem but also entails considerable energy savings. This is achieved through the intensive recycling of heat. The resulting cost savings, together with the government grant, mean the time taken to recoup the initial investment can easily be justified on economic grounds. An additional advantage of this sustainable solution is that it greatly reduces CO2 emissions. Dozens of primary schools are now benefitting from this innovative Imtech concept.

Technology in Dutch education sector
More and more educational institutions want the best and most sustainable technical solutions in their buildings. In spite of relatively limited budgets, energy efficiency, energy savings and ‘smart’ technology are now making it possible for school boards to fulfil their wishes. Among the projects with which Imtech is involved is Campus 2020, at the Eindhoven University of Technology. Part of this project is the sustainable technological upgrade of the monumental ‘mechanical hall’, including the university library. It will ultimately house an IT library, a Notebook Service Center, classrooms and a modern café. Part of the area is to be transformed, together with a large ‘green’ outdoor space, into a kind of open market hall – a meeting forum for the thousands of students and teaching staff. Imtech is responsible for all the technical solutions, including the energy provisions. Imtech is also organising all the technology solutions in the new Mathematics and Computer Science faculty, part of which will be fitted above the building. Other orders from the education sector have been received for improvements to the energy facilities of buildings of the University of Amsterdam (at the Roeterseiland premises), for the VMBO Noordoost school in Groningen and the Regional Community College of Amsterdam (at Laan van Spartaan premises). Elsewhere in the education sector, Imtech is upgrading access technology in order to improve security. This is another area in which the education sector is showing much interest.