The construction of our power grid has evolved in the last 10 years from centrally controlled generation plants to more decentralized generation. Solar panels became common among both individuals and companies, and wind turbines were integrated into the landscape and at sea. This trend started not only in Belgium but also worldwide. Renewable energy is thus becoming cheaper and cheaper. An even greater challenge is the transformation of our heating system. This now operates largely on gas distributed centrally through the gas grid to our homes.
To make Europe carbon-neutral by 2050, both electricity and heat supply must be made more sustainable. For heat supply, this means a transition from large-scale gas networks to recovery of residual streams in local heat networks, supplemented by sustainable heat production via heat pumps.
The European continent wants to be a frontrunner and is stimulating this energy transition in various ways. Among other things, European directives outline the guidelines for this transition so that member states have a clear implementation framework. For example, (renewable) energy communities gained entry through the Recast Renewable Energy Directive and the Fourth Electricity Directive.
These new concepts aim to anchor the implementation and design of the energy transition locally. They do so by recognizing citizens through a Local Energy Community as parties who can generate energy locally and share it with other citizens. A Local Energy Community will have rights and obligations to implement the energy transition at the local level. For example, it will be possible to collectively generate renewable energy on the roof of an apartment building and share it among the various owners. On a larger scale, people will be able to share energy within neighborhoods and business parks.
The European directives are ready. It is now up to the local authorities to transpose them into regulations. Currently - November 2020 - the first drafts are being worked out by VREG and the regions are considering the concretization. A regulatory framework is expected in early 2021. Ingenium is closely following the guidelines and is closely involved in the ROLECS project (Rolling out of Local Energy Communities) that formulates policy recommendations on energy communities.
Besides local anchoring by means of a Local Energy Community, cooperatives are also recognized at the European level, so-called citizen cooperatives. For example, Ingenium has already worked closely with citizen cooperatives Beauvent (for the IVOO heat network in Ostend) and Ducoop (Nieuwe Dokken project, Ghent).For business parks, we advise on the potential of energy shares. We refer to the project Energiedelen Plassendale(POM West Flanders), where the potential of renewable energy is maximized through energy sharing.
We are involved in various aspects of shaping these energy communities as a study firm:
De Nieuwe Dokken is a real estate project of Schipperskaai Development (a consortium consisting of CAAAP - formerly Vanhaerents Development - and Van Roey Vastgoed) in collaboration with SOgent and the city of Ghent. In addition to some 400 new apartments, the project includes housing and is complemented by offices, various commercial functions (brasseries, stores,...) and the necessary parking facilities. These functions will be embedded in a green environment in the form of neighborhood parks and promenades.
The project is committed to the on-site production of heat and electricity by converting local waste streams into energy through a ZAWENT (Zero Waste Water with Energy and Nutrient Recovery) plant. Black wastewater is collected via vacuum toilets. This waste stream is processed anaerobically and fermented. The result is biogas that is used as a source of energy. The gray wastewater is also treated and used as a heat source. The heat recovered from the wastewater and from the digestion process is injected into the heat grid. This grid provides the homes and other functions with heating and heat for the production of domestic hot water. Residual heat from the adjacent Christeyns company is also used for sustainable heat supply to the site.
Besides advising on sustainability and designing the techniques, Ingenium also supports the sustainable energy cooperative(Ducoop) in setting up the low-temperature heat network across the entire New Docks site. Ingenium evaluates the integral heat chain: from the impact on comfort and technical choices within the housing units over heat distribution to heat production and storage. Ingenium also forms the link between Ducoop and the project developer in establishing technical preconditions. Furthermore, Ingenium also assists Ducoop with subsidy applications and EPB regulations (including the equivalence application).
More information? Contact Emmanuel Vierstraete by e-mail(emmanuel.vierstraete@ingenium.be) or by phone: 050 40 45 30
