ARNHEM, NETHERLANDS – Olympic Training Centre Papendal has reached a new milestone in its mission to merge elite sport with high-level sustainability. In partnership with Eneco eMobility, the center has officially opened a sprawling charging plaza featuring 59 electric vehicle (EV) charging points.
The new installation serves a diverse community, providing reliable charging for TeamNL athletes, staff, and the thousands of visitors who pass through the world-class facility each year.
Sustainability in a Protected Landscape
Located within a sensitive Natura 2000 area—a network of core breeding and resting sites for rare and threatened species—Papendal faces a unique responsibility. The center’s leadership has cited this environmental context as a primary driver for their aggressive energy-efficiency goals.
By collaborating with strategic energy partner Eneco, Papendal is systematically overhauling its energy management. The new charging plaza represents a significant leap forward in this transition.
A Zero-Investment Model
The project was made possible through a management agreement with Eneco eMobility. Under this arrangement, Eneco handled the investment and installation and will continue to manage the plaza’s operations. This model allowed Papendal to deploy large-scale infrastructure without the heavy upfront capital expenditure typically associated with such projects.
Currently, over 150 TeamNL athletes and employees utilize electric vehicles. The new plaza ensures they can charge with ease using energy that is, in large part, generated on-site.
Closing the Energy Loop
The charging plaza is just one piece of a sophisticated energy puzzle at Papendal. To maximize efficiency, the center utilizes:
- On-site Solar Generation: Powering the charging points with self-generated green energy.
- Thermal Storage: Utilizing heat and cold storage systems to regulate the complex’s climate.
- Smart Battery Storage: An upcoming large-scale battery system with intelligent energy control will soon allow the center to store excess solar power and manage peak loads more effectively.
“Step by step, we are setting up our energy management optimally,” the center stated. With the integration of smart charging and local solar power, Papendal is proving that the road to gold can also be a green one.
