Gaasperdammertunnel, Amsterdam

Sustainable electricity supply in The Netherlands’ longest land tunnel

Together with TKH and Hitec Power Protection, Eaton has installed an ultramodern, safe, and sustainable electrical energy supply in the Gaasperdammertunnel, which at three kilometres, is the longest land tunnel in The Netherlands.

Tunnels are particularly complex infrastructural works where many technical installations come together, such as ventilation, lighting, fire protection, and traffic management systems and in particular, installations that consume a lot of energy and in which the most sustainable solution must be constantly examined. Eaton, as a business partner and supplier of IXAS A9 Gaasperdammerweg B.V., has been involved in the project around the Gaasperdammertunnel and contributed to the design of the energy network in the tunnel. In addition, Eaton, in cooperation with TKH and Hitec Power Protection, had to find a good balance in the design based on the motto “best for project”. This had to be reflected in working with standardized products, so that no project-specific adjustments were necessary.

Under the name of HEAT, Hitec, Eaton, and TKH created a unique engineering combination, specifically for this project. The three manufacturers – each with their own specialism – joined forces and participated in the design of client IXAS from the start of the engineering phase. Thanks to this early participation, it was possible to integrate the technical installations optimally into the infrastructure. Eaton has equipped the Gaasperdammertunnel with FMX and Eaton Xiria SF₆ -free medium voltage installations, flexible systems that can be expanded any time. For this project, Eaton designed 90 low voltage distributors, seven medium voltage switching installations and six transformers, as well as providing the logistics and installation. The electrical energy – 10,000 volts – goes through medium voltage installations, the distribution network, and transformers to low voltage main distributors, after which the energy is further distributed to sub-distributors.

Unlike most systems, FMX and Xiria installations do not use SF₆ greenhouse gas. Instead, they switch using an environmentally friendly vacuum technology. This is ideal for underground industries, such as tunnels, because emissions of toxic gases are prevented in the event of an emergency. In addition, a system has been designed that performs optimally with the lowest possible energy consumption, thanks to facilities such as LED lighting and high-efficiency transformers.

Engineering is much more than mere product knowledge. Thanks to a collaboration within the consortium and with IXAS, it has been possible to seamlessly connect all installations. The novelty of setting up a partnership in the field of such a large, technical installation is therefore seen as very successful, both by the client and the three collaborating parties in ‘HEAT’.