UGent strives for compact, efficient and inspiring campuses and buildings that contribute optimally to its core tasks: knowledge creation and knowledge sharing in interaction with society. In doing so, it aims for a building stock that is fossil-free and energy-neutral by 2050, in accordance with current European guidelines.

For the Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat and Overpoort region, this means that appropriate renewable energy sources must be identified to meet both current and future energy demand. At the same time, a concrete phasing needs to be worked out, in line with the UGent Verbeeldt master plan.

A strategic master plan is indispensable to effectively prepare for the energy transition and minimize the risk of lock-ins. This plan will explore in the coming years how the transition to fossil-free heating can be achieved and serve as a guide for the investment plan of these sites.

Based on a detailed inventory and analysis of the current situation, three heat transition visions were developed at the building cluster level.

For each transition vision, a balance was sought between building envelope measures, measures on the heat emission side, and heat production options based on renewable heat sources such as shallow geothermal energy, aquathermal energy, sewer thermal energy, and outdoor air. A step-by-step implementation strategy was then developed for the preferred scenarios, tailored to the planned construction investments as included in the master plan. In addition, the master plan focuses on removing barriers and identifying additional investments needed to support the transition.

Ingenium then supported Ghent University in further exploring one scenario for the St-Pietersnieuwstraat campus. A detailed analysis was carried out of the energy, spatial, and financial possibilities for heating based on heat from the Muinkschelde (aquathermal energy from surface water) and how this could be practically integrated with the current technical installations and the outdoor environment.

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