Inspiring and supporting energy communities as they take their first steps into aquathermal energy is one of the pillars of the Interreg NWE AquaCOM project.
This video is the second in an ongoing series following the journey of AquaCOM early adopter energy communities. Where the first episode explored what motivates communities to embark on aquathermal energy systems, this one turns to the challenges they have encountered along the way, with practical advice on how to overcome the most common hurdles.
Three voices feature in this second video: Julie Nolan of Elevate Credit Union Sustainable Energy Community (Ireland); Seán Sweeney, representing Croom CDA in his role as SEAI Sustainable Energy Communities Mentor (Ireland); and Johan Pittomvils, representing the Belgian city of Leuven.
Their accounts were filmed during the AquaCOM visit to the Belgian pilot site: the Rotselaar watermill, where a newly completed aquathermal installation now serves as a valuable model for replication across North-West Europe, with the AquaCOM early adopters leading the way as its first students.
Who are AquaCOM Early Adopters?
The AquaCOM project is mentoring sixteen Early Adopters across its target countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands.
Through the project, they have access to capacity-building activities and tailored expert support. In addition, the intra-regional scope of the project allows them to build relationships with similar initiatives in the same or different regions.
Early Adopters play a vital role in sharing knowledge and experience. While they benefit from the guidance of AquaCOM pilot projects and experts, they also help inspire and support new aquathermal energy communities across North-West Europe, strengthening the network and accelerating the transition to sustainable heating.