Since 1914, Royal Dutch Shell has been at the forefront of developments in fuel technology. Much of this research has been conducted at the Shell Technology Centre in Amsterdam, which has pioneered important chemical processes and products, including gas-to-liquids (GTL) technology and the Shell Coal Gasification Process that turns coal into synthesis gas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide that burns as cleanly as natural gas.

In September 2009, the new Shell Technology Centre Amsterdam was opened, aimed at providing a modern and energy-efficient working environment for over 1,300 researchers and staff. Although it is one of the city’s largest buildings, all its electricity is generated by a North Sea wind farm and includes other notable features such as an underground thermal storage system that controls indoor temperature. Compared to conventional installations, it is estimated that the new building produces 60% lower CO2 emissions.

ARCADIS led the design effort. The building’s design also offers flexibility to adapt to new technologies, such as a new ‘plug and play’ system that enables climate, electricity, air and gas to be controlled in individual rooms whenever required.