Pampus Fortress Island: Leading the change in climate-neutral innovation and self-sufficiency
Pampus Fortress Island marked a milestone in sustainability with the opening of its new, climate-neutral energy system. Built in 1895 to defend the Zuiderzee, Pampus is an artificial fortress island in the IJmeer near Amsterdam. Today, it pioneers a new era of sustainability by generating all its energy from wind, solar, and bio-digestion. This makes Pampus completely and sustainably self-sufficient and ahead of its time.
Sustainable energy
The artificial island has been off the grid since its inception, with no connection to the mainland for electricity, water, or gas. This historical fact inspired the development of the new climate-neutral energy system. The island can now be entirely fossil-free and self-sufficient year-round by harnessing wind, solar, hydrogen, biogas, and thermal energy. This is a unique milestone for Pampus and a remarkable example for the world. The island's power is harnessed from renewable sources: wind turbines, solar panels, and bio-digestion of food scraps from the restaurant. During periods of surplus, energy is either stored as thermal energy in lithium batteries or converted into hydrogen. The island is not only self-sufficient in terms of energy, Pampus boasts a state-of-the-art drinking water system that purifies water from the IJmeer for its visitors.
Pampus’ water supply with innovative water purification
With the help of an advanced water purification system created by Dutch companies Jotem Water Solutions, NX Filtration, and Van Remmen UV Technology, Pampus has secured a sustainable water source. The Watermaker, a highly sophisticated system that blends traditional methods with modern technology, pumps water from the IJmeer, filters it through sand and gravel as was done historically, and purifies it using nanofiltration and UV technology. This setup is completely energy-independent, powered by rooftop solar panels and a storage battery.
A dive into Pampus’ sustainable future
Pampus’ sustainable innovations are deeply rooted in its past. Historically, soldiers on the island collected and filtered rainwater for drinking. The water was stored in a basin, which is still deep inside the fort. In recent years, thousands of gallons went from the mainland to the island every day. Boats full of water for cooking, washing, and much more. It was not only time-consuming but also not sustainable. Today, the Watermaker offers an off-grid, sustainable solution for clean drinking water at a time when clean drinking water is scarce and not to be taken for granted. This demonstrates a significant positive impact.
Pampus leads the transition in water, energy, food, and material
Pampus is now set to operate independently, just like in the past. With over 300 m² of vegetable gardens, an innovative water purification installation, an energy-positive storage shed, a sustainable energy system, and a floating circular entrance building (completion 2025), Pampus will become an example of a local circular economy, in balance with people and nature. Visitors to Pampus will experience firsthand the crucial balance between consuming and producing energy, water, and food. Every year, 100,000 visitors, including 10,000 students, will connect history with a sustainable future, learning from Pampus’ innovative and environmentally friendly practices.
The historical legacy of Pampus
Once part of the Stelling van Amsterdam defence ring, Pampus could sustain 200 soldiers for three months without external supplies. The island generated electricity with a steam engine which purified rainwater and preserved food.
Since its construction, the island has remained off-grid, that is, not connected to the mainland for power, water, or gas. After the invention and commissioning of the airplane, the defense line lost its function. The fort slowly but surely turned into a ruin, evolving from a fortress to a haven for hippies. This changed in the late 1980s. The island was refurbished, the ruins renovated, and Pampus was declared both a National Monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, Pampus stands as a symbol of a fossil-free, circular future, thanks to the dedication of a group of idealists committed to its sustainable transformation.
