The journey towards community-led aquathermal energy is far from plain sailing. It demands vision, commitment, community engagement, and perseverance. Meaningful, systemic change is seldom the work of individuals alone, but of communities willing to navigate challenges together.
As part of an ongoing series of videos, the AquaCOM Interreg NWE project invites Early Adopters to share their stories - inspiring accounts of what it truly takes to pioneer a new approach to heating, from the spark of initial motivation to the practical hurdles faced along the way.
In this first video, AquaCOM Early Adopters from Belgium, France, Germany and Ireland speak openly about what led them to look beyond conventional heating systems and explore water-based renewable alternatives. They reflect on their previous experiences with renewable energy and describe how they first encountered aquathermal solutions. They also highlight the broader impact of their projects: not only in reducing emissions, but also in strengthening their communities through increased resilience and energy independence, stronger local partnerships, and new educational opportunities. They all share a common ambition: to phase out fossil fuels for heating and actively contribute to the energy transition.
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.