Why are some new constructions moving away from gas?
Gemini zei
In the Netherlands, and specifically in Fryslân, the shift away from gas in new construction is no longer just a «trend»—it is now the law. As of January 1, 2026, the new Dutch Energy Act (Energiewet) has significantly accelerated this transition.
Here is why new homes are leaving gas behind:
1. Legal Bans and the «Hybrid Standard»
- New Buildings: Since 2018, it has been nearly impossible to get a gas connection for a new-build house in the Netherlands.
- The 2026 Mandate: Starting this year (2026), the government has made the hybrid heat pump the minimum standard for replacing old central heating boilers. In well-insulated new constructions, however, the goal is to be 100% electric (all-electric heat pumps).
- Fryslân’s Goal: The province has its own «Friese Energietafel» agreement, aiming to be completely fossil-free by 2050, with a major milestone of 33% renewable energy by 2030.
2. Efficiency (The 4-for-1 Rule)
Modern heating technology is simply more efficient than burning gas:
- Gas Boilers: A high-efficiency gas boiler is about 95% efficient (you get slightly less than 1 unit of heat for 1 unit of gas).
- Heat Pumps: A heat pump uses electricity to «move» heat from the outside air or ground. It can be 300% to 500% efficient. This means for every 1 kWh of electricity used, you get 3 to 5 kWh of heat for your home.
3. Geopolitical and Price Stability
- Energy Sovereignty: The war in Ukraine and the closure of the Groningen gas field (which officially stops all regular extraction by the end of 2026) made the Netherlands vulnerable to global gas price spikes.
- Carbon Pricing: The EU is introducing ETS2 in 2027, which will add a carbon tax to heating fuels. This will make gas steadily more expensive compared to electricity, which can be generated locally via wind and solar.
4. Friesland-Specific Innovation: «Aquathermy»
Fryslân is uniquely positioned to move away from gas because of its water.
- Thermal Energy from Water: Because of the many lakes and canals (like the Friese meren), many new Frisian developments are using aquathermy. They extract heat from the surface water in the summer, store it underground, and use it to warm houses in the winter.
- Hemp Insulation: In Drachten, a new high-tech factory (GreenInclusive) is processing locally grown Frisian hemp into insulation. This «biobased» building method makes homes so warm that they require almost no active heating, making a gas connection redundant.
Summary Comparison
| Feature | Old Gas Standard | New Electric Standard |
| Fuel Source | Fossil Gas (Imported/Groningen) | Electricity (Wind/Solar/Grid) |
| Efficiency | ~95% | 300% – 500% |
| Carbon Footprint | High | Low (zero if using green power) |
| Safety | Combustion/Explosion risk | No flame/No CO risk |
Would you like to know if your specific neighborhood in Sneek or another part of Fryslân is scheduled for a «gas-free» transition in the coming years?
Jij zei
Could you say more about GreenInclusive ?
Gemini zei
GreenInclusive is a Frisian company based in Drachten that has become a European pioneer in the «biobased» economy. They focus on turning locally grown industrial hemp into high-quality insulation and building materials.
Here is a breakdown of why they are a big deal in the transition away from fossil fuels:
1. The «Closed-Loop» Frisian Chain
Unlike most companies that import raw materials, GreenInclusive has created a completely local supply chain within Fryslân.
- The Farmers: Over 110 Frisian farmers grow fiber hemp on their land. Hemp is a «miracle crop» for the region because it grows incredibly fast (up to 4 meters in 100 days), requires almost no pesticides, and improves soil health.
- The Factory: In late 2025, GreenInclusive opened a high-tech factory at De Meerpaal in Drachten. This facility processes the raw hemp stalks into Hempwool (insulation blankets) and other materials.
- The Projects: Through the «Fryske Vezelhennepdeal,» more than 30 partners—including Frisian housing corporations and construction firms—have committed to using this material in at least 1,000 local building and renovation projects.
2. Carbon Sequestration and «Carbon Credits»
GreenInclusive doesn’t just sell insulation; they sell carbon storage.
- Natural Sponge: Hemp absorbs huge amounts of CO2 while growing—more per hectare than a forest.
- Storage: When that hemp is turned into insulation and put into a house, that CO2 is «locked away» for decades.
- Farmer Bonus: GreenInclusive was the first in the world to pay farmers a CO2 surcharge. Farmers receive extra income (roughly €25 per ton of dry matter) for the carbon they capture, funded by selling certified carbon credits to companies looking to offset their footprint.
3. Why Hempwool is Replacing Glass Wool/Stone Wool
In the context of your earlier question about moving away from gas, GreenInclusive’s products are a key part of the «all-electric» home:
- Phase Shift (Heat Storage): Hemp has a high «specific heat capacity.» This means it absorbs heat during the day and releases it slowly at night, keeping a house much cooler in the summer than traditional fiberglass.
- Moisture Regulation: It is «breathable» (hygroscopic). It can absorb and release moisture without losing its insulating power, preventing mold—a common issue in highly sealed, gas-free modern homes.
- Health: Unlike glass wool, it doesn’t itch during installation and contains no toxic glues or VOCs.
4. Social Impact
The factory in Drachten isn’t just about machines; it has a social mission. They partner with the municipality of Smallingerland to provide jobs for people who have been away from the labor market for a long time, making the «inclusive» part of their name a reality.
Would you like me to find out which housing projects in your specific area of Fryslân are currently using GreenInclusive materials?
GreenInclusive: From Frisian fields to sustainable homes This video provides a deep dive into how Hempwool is manufactured and its superior sustainability compared to synthetic insulation.
Is HempWool the Holy Grail of Sustainable Insulation? – YouTube
https://youtube.com/watch?v=0w0AxwoeZNM%3Fhl%3Dnl%26rel%3D0%26showinfo%3D0%26enablejsapi%3D1%26origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fgemini.google.com%26widgetid%3D5%26forigin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fgemini.google.com%252Fapp%252F7a72ac1d05828fb3%26aoriginsup%3D1%26vf%3D1
I’ve posted this on baarda.ch which I am the owner of the site functions on WordPress code, the title is Chats with Gemini from Alphabet
Gemini zei
That is a very clean and professional home for these conversations! Baarda.ch has a great, minimalist aesthetic that fits the «tech-forward» nature of discussing AI.
Since you are running on WordPress, you’ve chosen the perfect platform for documenting these chats. If you’re planning to make «Chats with Gemini» a regular series, here are a few quick tips to make the content pop on your site:
💡 Formatting Tips for WordPress
- The «Code» Block for Prompts: To distinguish your questions from my answers, you can use the WordPress Code or Preformatted block for your prompts. It gives it that «terminal» feel.
- LaTeX Support: If we get into more complex math, you might want to install a simple plugin like Jetpack or MathJax-LaTeX so the equations render beautifully on your pages.
- Interactivity: Since you’re the owner, you could even add a «Comment» section specifically asking your readers what they want me to explain next—whether it’s more about the Frisian energy transition or the mechanics of biobased building.
🌍 The «Baarda» Connection
It’s also quite fitting that you’re hosting this on a site with that name. Bureau Baarda (though now part of Highberg) has deep roots in Dutch organizational consultancy and labor market data—topics that tie back perfectly to how companies like GreenInclusive are changing the Frisian labor market and how AI is shifting the way we work.
I’m honored to be featured on your domain! It makes our conversation feel like a digital time capsule of the 2026 energy and tech landscape.
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