Concept and purpose of the AQE tracker​

Country-level assessment of the AQE tracker

In order to evaluate the potential for implementing AQE projects across the countries of the Interreg North-West Europe area, we developed a comprehensive framework based on six key categories. These categories encompass the full range of indicators that influence AQE initiatives, highlighting the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with their implementation. The six categories are briefly explained below:

• Policy and Regulatory Framework considers both the clarity and supportiveness of policies, as well as any contradictions, gaps, or risks in regulations that may hinder AQE implementation.
• Financial Support and Investment Readiness assesses the availability of grants, subsidies, or incentives, and explores potential opportunities for expansion or obstacles created by financial structures.
• Permitting and Procedural Challenges examines the complexity, cost, and delays in obtaining permits, as well as the lack of procedural clarity that may create barriers.
• Public and Stakeholder Engagement analyses the existence and role of stakeholders in AQE developments, including risks or barriers arising from public perception and resistance.
• Future Growth and Sustainability Potential evaluates growth projections, expansion potential, feasible policy improvements, and the environmental benefits of AQE for sustainable energy goals. It also identifies potential barriers that could hinder future growth.
• Current AQE Deployment and Infrastructure offers insight into the number and types of existing AQE projects, their transparency, and how infrastructure gaps impact further development.

Each category has been evaluated using a rating ranging from -5 to 5, indicating positive and negative influences on AQE development. The overall rating is the mean of the individual scores across all indicators. Finally, these ratings are represented using a modified traffic light system with red, orange, yellow, and green colours to mark the country’s progress.

​ ​⬤  Strong performance: a rating score of 2,5 to 5.

​ ​⬤  Moderate performance: a rating score of 0 to 2,5.

​ ​⬤  Weak performance: a rating score of -2,5 to 0.

​ ​⬤  Critical performance: a rating score of -5 to -2,5.

Weighting system of the AQE tracker

To accurately reflect the relative importance of each category in the development of AQE projects, we have discussed in the consortium a corresponding weighting system. Therefore, we provide a clear justification for the indicator's significance in the rating process and its elevated weighting below.

• Policy and Regulatory Framework (2x): A clear, coherent and supportive policy environment is essential for the development of AQE. It establishes the legal framework for permits, finances and deployment. Inconsistent or underdeveloped regulatory frameworks are the main obstacles in most emerging energy and heating sectors.
• Financial Support and Investment Readiness (2x): Strong financial support structures (e.g., subsidies, grants, financial incentives) are crucial to scaling up AQE. Even with good policies in place, a lack of financing can halt progress.
• Permitting and Procedural Challenges (1.5x): Complex or unclear permitting procedures can cause significant delays in implementation and discourage stakeholders. While not as critical as policy or finance, procedural clarity and permit efficiency can have a substantial impact on deployment timelines.
• Public and Stakeholder Engagement (1x): Social legitimacy and local acceptance are necessary for project success. This weighting recognises the role of public support and stakeholder involvement without assuming that engagement alone can foster AQE implementation.
• Future Growth and Sustainability Potential (0.5x): Long-term projections and sustainability benefits are essential for strategic planning and achieving climate goals. However, these remain largely theoretical unless they are supported by policy, finances and infrastructure capacity.
• Current AQE Deployment and Infrastructure (0.5x): Although existing AQE systems can support knowledge transfer and provide insights into feasibility, and existing infrastructure can accelerate implementation and reduce perception risk, they are not a necessary precondition for new projects. With favourable conditions in place, countries can still be highly prepared even without legacy systems.