Heat pumps in NATO headquarters
Overview
NATO headquarters in Brussels is the political and administrative heart of the Alliance, where representatives and experts engage in crucial discussions on decision-making processes and collaborations with partner countries.
To bring the headquarters into the modern era, a state-of-the-art building was completed in 2017. This environmentally friendly structure, capable of accommodating around 4,000 people, reflects NATO's commitment to sustainability.
A standout feature of the new building is its geothermal heating and cooling system. This innovative system taps into the earth's constant underground temperature to efficiently provide warmth in winter and cooling in summer.
The process is both simple and effective. Heat from beneath the surface is harnessed and used to heat water, which circulates through the ceiling slabs of offices and the floor of the central atrium. This system maintains a comfortable and steady temperature of 21 degrees Celsius, ensuring a pleasant environment year-round.
Summary
Depth of drilling: 120 meters
Temperature of the water drawn: 10°C
Units covered: 254,000 m2 of space
Investments: Total cost of the construction project is EUR 1.17bn
Public contribution: Allies contributed to the project according to the principle of common funding (a cost-share formula based on a number of factors including Gross Domestic Product) and each member nation covers costs for works associated with its national spaces.