Well technology for a sustainable world
The Rijswijk Centre for Sustainable Geo-energy (RCSG) is a unique open innovation lab for improving geo-energy technologies to accelerate the energy transition. There is a particular focus on geothermal energy, an increasingly important renewable energy source, and subsurface storage of heat, hydrogen and CO2. The facilities are available for full-scale testing and demonstration of new drilling techniques, flow, and materials under high pressure and temperature.
Well technology for a sustainable world
The Rijswijk Centre for Sustainable Geo energy (RCSG) is a unique open innovation lab for improving geo-energy technologies to accelerate the energy transition. There is a particular focus on geothermal energy, an increasingly important renewable energy source, and subsurface storage of heat, hydrogen and CO2. The facilities are available for full-scale testing and demonstration of new drilling techniques, flow, and materials under high pressure and temperature.
Our core qualities and expertise

Knowledge
RCSG is operated by TNO, the largest independent R&D organization of the Netherlands. A dedicated and experienced well technology team is in charge of setting-up and execution the experiments.

Facilities
RCSG has a unique collection of state-of-the-art facilities for various well technology tests at full-scale and at downhole conditions.​

Innovation
RCSG cooperates with multiple partners from industry and academia to develop and mature well technology innovations before application in the field.
Wide selection of advanced equipment
The facilities are impressive. Installations built on solid foundations cover the entire spectrum of subsurface drilling. Like a huge drilling installation above a well that is almost 400 metres deep where new materials and methods can be tested.
Walk through the RCSG in the virtual tour and see the facilities.
Facts & Figures
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Open for business
Opportunities for businesses
Get in touch with us
Send us a message with your question, proposal or suggestion. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
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Testimonials
"The sustainable use of the subsurface has been on TNO's research agenda for many years. This concerns the extraction of low and high temperature heat from the subsurface, the temporary storage of energy in the subsurface and the storage of CO2 during the phasing out of the fossil energy system. The RCSG makes it possible for companies and knowledge institutions to work closely together through the development of new technology to take major steps in the transition to a sustainable energy system."
Ton de Jong, Director TNO Energy Transition on the RCSG
"The future of our sustainable energy supply above ground rests for an important part on the value and knowledge of our Dutch subsurface. The center helps to develop technology that is directly applicable to the social and economic development of the Dutch subsurface. EBN wants to help accelerate the energy transition with knowledge, technology and innovation. The center can play an important role in this as well as in developing and strengthening growth markets such as geothermal energy and the storage of CO2, hydrogen and heat."
Jan Willem Hoogstraten, ceo Energie Beheer Nederland (EBN)
"Geothermal energy can make a significant contribution to making our heat supply more sustainable. The geothermal sector is a relatively young sector that is developing strongly. A low-threshold opportunity to experiment with new techniques and materials offers a chance to greatly accelerate that development."
Sandor Gaastra, Director General at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate
"We are proud that this center is in our province because it allows us to remain at the forefront of the field of geothermal energy.
After all, we have already built up a great deal of expertise in this field and that's not surprising: South Holland's soil is very suitable for geothermal energy as a source. Moreover, in this densely populated province we have a large demand for heat. So supply and demand come together nicely. After the pioneering work of recent years, it is now time to scale up and to start heating houses with geothermal heat in addition to greenhouses."
Berend Potjer, deputy for energy, Province of South Holland
"In addition to contributing to the energy transition, this project also provides great added value for the development of the area. This investment will bring new activity and dynamics to the Plaspoelpolder. Rijswijk welcomes all visitors and customers of the new test center. Other companies that want to make an impact on a sustainable world and are looking for office, production or laboratory space can also come to the Plaspoelpolder. Innovation and an attractive business climate go hand in hand here."
Armand van de Laar, alderman of the municipality of Rijswijk
"The sustainable use of the subsurface has been on TNO's research agenda for many years. This concerns the extraction of low and high temperature heat from the subsurface, the temporary storage of energy in the subsurface and the storage of CO2 during the phasing out of the fossil energy system. The RCSG makes it possible for companies and knowledge institutions to work closely together through the development of new technology to take major steps in the transition to a sustainable energy system."
Ton de Jong, Director TNO Energy Transition on the RCSG
"The future of our sustainable energy supply above ground rests for an important part on the value and knowledge of our Dutch subsurface. The center helps to develop technology that is directly applicable to the social and economic development of the Dutch subsurface. EBN wants to help accelerate the energy transition with knowledge, technology and innovation. The center can play an important role in this as well as in developing and strengthening growth markets such as geothermal energy and the storage of CO2, hydrogen and heat."
Jan Willem Hoogstraten, ceo Energie Beheer Nederland (EBN)
"Geothermal energy can make a significant contribution to making our heat supply more sustainable. The geothermal sector is a relatively young sector that is developing strongly. A low-threshold opportunity to experiment with new techniques and materials offers a chance to greatly accelerate that development."
Sandor Gaastra, Director General at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate
"We are proud that this center is in our province because it allows us to remain at the forefront of the field of geothermal energy.
After all, we have already built up a great deal of expertise in this field and that's not surprising: South Holland's soil is very suitable for geothermal energy as a source. Moreover, in this densely populated province we have a large demand for heat. So supply and demand come together nicely. After the pioneering work of recent years, it is now time to scale up and to start heating houses with geothermal heat in addition to greenhouses."
Berend Potjer, deputy for energy, Province of South Holland
"In addition to contributing to the energy transition, this project also provides great added value for the development of the area. This investment will bring new activity and dynamics to the Plaspoelpolder. Rijswijk welcomes all visitors and customers of the new test center. Other companies that want to make an impact on a sustainable world and are looking for office, production or laboratory space can also come to the Plaspoelpolder. Innovation and an attractive business climate go hand in hand here."
Armand van de Laar, alderman of the municipality of Rijswijk




