The growing energy demand, along with more greenhouse gas emissions, highlights the need for renewable alternatives to fossil fuels. One promising option for space heating is aquathermal energy from surface water (TEO), especially in areas with a significant amount of surface water. However, TEO systems generally require substantial spatial integration, which poses challenges in dense urban areas such as the historic city centre of Amsterdam. In particular, limited (sub)surface space and existing infrastructure complicate implementation. Quay walls may offer a potential solution for the spatial integration of TEO, but the conditions under which this would be technically, spatially, and economically viable remain unclear.

This research investigates the feasibility of utilising TEO in historic city centres, with a case study in Amsterdam. It focuses on the potential for integration into quay walls. A linked modelling approach was used to assess the spatial requirements, CO₂ reduction, and investment costs under various heating demand scenarios and system base loads. Heating demand was varied based on different retrofitting levels, and first-order TEO system designs were developed accordingly.

The results of the study indicate that a higher base load to be covered by the renewable source (TEO), combined with less retrofitted buildings results in significantly higher spatial requirements. This could potentially complicate quay wall integration. However in most scenarios, TEO systems could be integrated into the quay walls.

The CO2 reduction was assessed for all scenarios. For increased base loads covered by TEO systems and high retrofitting levels of the buildings, the CO2 reduction was the highest. This would outperform the all-electric scenario.

Financially, the lower retrofitting levels would result in slightly lower investment costs per dwelling. The effect of a higher base load delivered by TEO systems was found to be relatively minor. Although the TEO systems require a significantly higher financial investment, the national costs could be lower. This should be studied further in future research.