01-04/04/2025 AquaCOM project meeting in Ireland
The Interreg NWE project, AquaCOM, led by Ballyhoura Development CLG (BD) and aiming at exploring the viability of aquathermal energy as a heat source alternative to fossil fuels, held its transnational partner meetings in Croom, Fermoy and Glenstal Abbey (Ireland) between 01/04/2025 and 03/04/2025.
The project is exploring the potential of aquathermal energy – heating homes and buildings using heat from water sources like rivers and lakes to help communities reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, helping accelerate a citizen led just transition, and demonstrating it in 3 pilots, one on the Dutch island of Vlieland, one in the watermill of Rotselaar in Belgium, and one in the Breton city of Lorient in France.
The project is engaging with 16 early adopter groups across Ireland, Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands. The Croom Sustainable Energy Community is one of these Early Adopter groups and hosted the AquaCOM project partners on the first day of their transnational partner trip to Ireland. The partners met with 3 other Irish Early Adopter groups, Glenstal Abbey, Synergy Fermoy and Kylemore Abbey, during the week.
Combined picture of waterbodies in Glenstal Abbey, Croom and Fermoy
“We were delighted to welcome our European partners to Croom,” said Sybren Oggel of the Croom Sustainable Energy Community, "Last year, I travelled to the Netherlands with the project. The trip was a get together of all the partners and representatives of the Early Adopters groups in Ireland and the other partner countries. It was a great trip and we learned loads so it’s brilliant to see everyone again, show them Croom in person and have the opportunity to ask more questions of the experts.”
The project emphasises community involvement and aims to empower citizens to take an active role in shaping their energy future.
AquaCOM project meeting in Glenstal Abbey
“We believe that aquathermal energy has the potential to revolutionise how we heat our homes and buildings,” said Sebastian Baes of EXTRAQT, an engineering consultancy based in Belgium and the technical partner for the AquaCOM project. “By working with these early adopter communities, we can demonstrate the practical benefits of this technology and pave the way for its wider adoption.”
The AquaCOM project is funded by Interreg North West Europe, supporting cross-border collaboration in developing sustainable energy solutions.
Pictures: Adrian Friar of BD