Translation of press release:
Generate your own electricity at home
by Raymond de Frel
Monday 4 February 2008 - TERNEUZEN
Save, save, save. A solar panel on the roof, a windmill on the property? If you invest a little, you may be able to reap the rewards in the longer term. Joop Waeijen from Terneuzen says, “There is enough natural gas, but we can still get a great deal more yield from it." Photo: Peter Nicolai

Joop Waeijen from Terneuzen is making the most of this trend through his Internet book. Together with his company Energy Management Consult, he is involved in thinking up, starting up and implementing technical projects. A little while ago, he shared his many years of experience at numerous companies with us through his Internet book. This book can be ordered for seventeen euros and concentrates in particular on the purchase of a CHP system, i.e. a combined heat and power plant. “That is a piece of equipment that generates both heat and electricity,” explains Mr Waeijen. “Compared with a high-efficiency boiler, the gain is therefore in the electricity. There is enough natural gas, but we can still get much better yields from it. A central heating boiler may get to an efficiency of 94 per cent, but a CHP unit can yield 98 or 99 per cent. On average, you need five years to earn back the purchase costs of this system.” According to Mr Waeijen, there is a snake in the grass when you are promoting the use of CHP systems. “If everybody had a system like this in their home, the huge power stations would become redundant. And these systems are therefore not promoted, because the big players are afraid that it will affect their livelihoods." A CHP system costs about 7500 euros on average, about 3000 euros more than a good high-efficiency boiler. Mr Waeijen says, “The market is still in its infancy in the Netherlands, but I’m certain that it’ll be a booming business by the end of this year. National subsidies are encouraging the generation of electricity. Because of the pricing, it is more interesting at the moment for larger households and offices. But once the ball starts rolling, the prices will drop and smaller households will be able to benefit as well.”