Green Power at the Palace: How the Paleis Het Loo central energy facility works
Keeping a centuries-old palace comfortable and conserving priceless heritage should not come at the planet’s expense. That’s why the Paleis Het Loo central energy facility plays a starring role in the museum’s sustainability journey. By combining heat-and-cold storage with a heat pump, Paleis Het Loo generates sustainable power for climate control while safeguarding its collections and gardens. In 2025, the palace also received the BREEAM-NL In-Use label “Excellent,” independent proof of strong building performance.
In this guide, you’ll learn how the system works, why it’s well-suited to a historic site, and how it fits alongside other concrete measures at Paleis Het Loo—from LED lighting to 100% green electricity.
What is heat-and-cold storage?
Heat-and-cold storage is a system that stores thermal energy underground and reuses it when the seasons change.
- In warm periods, excess building heat is transferred to the ground and stored as a cold/warm reservoir for later use.
- In cool periods, stored warmth is recovered to help heat the building, while cooler ground temperatures can also be used to support cooling.
Paired with a heat pump, the stored energy is upgraded to the temperatures needed for indoor comfort. This approach reduces reliance on fossil-fuel-based heating and mechanical cooling, supports year-round climate stability, and works quietly behind the scenes—ideal for sensitive heritage environments.
How the Paleis Het Loo central energy facility works
Paleis Het Loo’s new central energy facility “generates sustainable power through heat and cold storage and a heat pump.” While every installation is engineered to its building, systems like this typically follow a clear, repeatable process:
- Collection and storage of seasonal energy
- During summer, the building offloads heat to an underground storage zone; in cooler months, stored warmth is recovered. Likewise, coolth can be drawn from the ground during warm spells to support indoor comfort.
- Temperature lift with a heat pump
- A heat pump increases the recovered energy to the precise temperatures needed for heating or cooling the palace’s spaces and galleries.
- Distribution through the building
- Conditioned water or air circulates via the palace’s central systems to maintain target conditions in rooms, galleries, and support spaces.
- Continuous, balanced operation
- Over time, storage is balanced so the ground remains a reliable thermal “battery” across seasons, supporting consistent museum-grade climates.
Why this approach suits a historic palace
- Stable, gentle climate control: Collections benefit from steady temperature and humidity. Thermal storage and heat pumps help the palace stay within conservation-friendly ranges.
- Quiet and unobtrusive: Fewer intrusive mechanical systems and low-noise operation are compatible with visitor experience and historic interiors.
- Efficient by design: Reusing seasonal heat and coolth reduces conventional energy demand and aligns with sustainable operations.
Key components at a glance
| Component | What it does | Why it matters for heritage |
|---|---|---|
| Heat-and-cold storage | Holds seasonal warmth/coolth underground for reuse | Encourages stable indoor conditions with less intensive mechanical intervention |
| Heat pump | Lifts stored energy to usable temperatures | Precise, efficient heating/cooling supports conservation standards |
| Central distribution | Delivers conditioned air/water to palace spaces | Even, consistent comfort without disruptive equipment in historic rooms |
Certified performance you can trust
In 2025, Paleis Het Loo received the BREEAM-NL In-Use certificate with the rating “Excellent.” BREEAM-NL In-Use is an internationally recognized method for independently assessing the sustainability performance of existing buildings. This recognition underscores the palace’s commitment to environmentally friendly solutions that support visitors and long-term heritage preservation.
Sustainability beyond the plant room
The Paleis Het Loo central energy facility is one element of a broader, practical program that shows up in daily operations and visitor experience:
- 100% green energy: All purchased electricity is green.
- LED lighting throughout: Efficient, long-life lighting supports conservation and reduces energy use.
- Low-water fixtures: All toilets and taps are low-water-use models.
- Sustainably powered fleet: 85% of on-site vehicles are sustainably powered.
- Local and regional sourcing: At least 25% of suppliers are local or regional.
- Staff bikes on site: Bicycles are available to staff for internal travel around the grounds.
- Natural pesticides: The gardens adopt nature-friendly care wherever possible.
- Waste and materials: Reuse and recycling are prioritized wherever possible.
These measures work together—efficient systems reduce demand, green power covers what’s needed, and low-impact operations support both the visitor experience and the palace’s green legacy.
A wider sustainability ecosystem: CC NL as a benchmark
Paleis Het Loo is part of CollectieCentrum Nederland (CC NL) in Amersfoort, a joint facility with the Rijksmuseum, the Dutch Open Air Museum, and the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands. Since 2021, a share of the palace’s collection has been stored there.
- BREEAM-NL Outstanding (5 stars): The CC NL building holds the highest sustainability label.
- Climate by design: Insulation and interaction with the earth help maintain a stable 12–15°C—ideal for collections.
- Rainwater reuse: Collected rainwater is used to flush lavatories.
- Landscape for biodiversity: The surrounding design supports local flora and fauna.
While CC NL is a separate, shared facility, it reflects the same philosophy that guides Paleis Het Loo’s on-site systems: smart building design and operations that protect culture while minimizing environmental impact.
For more on this collaboration, explore the CC NL page: https://paleishetloo.nl/en/about/organization/netherlands-collection-centre
Visitor FAQs about energy and access
Does Paleis Het Loo use renewable energy?
Yes. The palace purchases 100% green energy and operates a central energy facility that uses heat-and-cold storage and a heat pump to generate sustainable power for climate control.
What sustainability certification does the palace hold?
In 2025, Paleis Het Loo received the BREEAM-NL In-Use rating “Excellent.”
Are there EV charging stations on site?
Yes. There are electric charging stations for cars in the palace parking area.
What’s the easiest low-impact way to visit?
Public transport is straightforward. Apeldoorn is directly reachable by train, with direct connections of about one hour from Amsterdam Central. Several bus lines run from Apeldoorn’s station to Paleis Het Loo (including lines 102 and 112 from platform H). The “Buurt Bus” route 512 departs hourly from platform A (not on Sundays and public holidays); for Paleis Het Loo, alight at the 7th stop, “Tuinmanslaan,” then walk about 100 meters to the palace.
For travel planning and practical details, consult the Visit FAQs: https://paleishetloo.nl/en/visit/frequently-asked-questions
Practical takeaways
- The Paleis Het Loo central energy facility pairs underground heat-and-cold storage with a heat pump to provide sustainable, conservation-friendly climate control.
- A broad set of measures—100% green power, LED lighting, low-water fixtures, sustainable vehicles, local sourcing, staff bikes, and robust recycling—extends sustainability across the site.
- The palace’s BREEAM-NL In-Use “Excellent” rating (2025) independently validates performance.
- A portion of the collection is stored at CC NL (BREEAM-NL Outstanding, 5 stars)—a national benchmark for sustainable collection care.
- Visitors can help by choosing public transport or EV charging on site.
Conclusion: Heritage, comfort, and climate—working as one
By investing in a modern, integrated system, Paleis Het Loo demonstrates how a historic palace can deliver visitor comfort and top-tier collection care while reducing environmental impact. The central energy facility anchors this approach, and it’s reinforced by everyday choices across energy, water, mobility, and materials.
- Learn more about sustainability at the palace: https://paleishetloo.nl/en/about/organization/sustainability
- Discover the CC NL collaboration: https://paleishetloo.nl/en/about/organization/netherlands-collection-centre
Ready to experience the palace—and its green innovations—firsthand? Plan your visit and travel sustainably.