The purpose of this project was to investigate a potential expansion of the Veurne district heating network using waste heat from Pepsico (Croky chips). This involved examining the connection of businesses, the tertiary sector, public buildings, and others.  This study included both a technical and financial feasibility study of the heating network expansion, as well as a legal analysis regarding the establishment of an energy community centered around this heating network.

We sought to gain a clear understanding of the current situation and the boundaries of the area under consideration for a potential expansion of the district heating network.  Interaction with the relevant stakeholders (ION, Fluvius, the City of Veurne, and Pepsico) was also highly desirable to gain insight into the following three points: the availability of waste heat (MW and temperatures), the load on the existing heat network, and the area for potential expansion. Next, we inventoried both heat consumers and (residual) heat sources. We based this on the newly available heat demand map (GEOpunt Vlaanderen) and used publicly available information to enrich this map.  Based on the initial insights from the heat demand map, we consulted with the client to determine which specific heat consumers and sources we would gather additional information on. In a subsequent sub-assignment, we determined the possible routes for expanding the heat network based on the most interesting heat consumers and potential additional residual heat sources. To this end, we first defined the evaluation criteria, basic principles, and preconditions for technical and financial feasibility.

Possible evaluation criteria at this stage included:

• Heat demand density = total heat supply relative to the length of the heating network
• Interest from heat customers
• Bottlenecks (bridges, water, rail, gas, electricity)
• Opportunities (new developments, planned infrastructure upgrades)

List the following as possible starting points and preconditions:

• Guaranteed heat or just basic heat supply
• Retention of Existing Heating Sources for Heat Consumers
• Marketable heat rates (NMDA based on current gas prices, guarantees, returns, etc.)

Finally, the optimal heat network route was determined, and the heat network was sized (diameter based on capacity/pressure drop) using a custom-developed sizing tool. In addition to the base scenario, we also developed “what-if” scenarios.  These are variations on the base scenario that assess the impact of certain risks (more or fewer heat customers actually connecting, a potential increase or decrease in specific consumers, changes in temperature levels). Finally, we created a financial model with the goal of establishing a positive business case. The feasibility study was concluded by providing the client with a roadmap outlining the next steps toward implementation.