The project partners in the Interreg NWE AquaCOM project selected 16 Early Adopters: 4 from Belgium, France and Ireland, 3 from the Netherlands and 1 from Germany. They will have the opportunity to learn about aquathermal energy (energy from surface water) from the AquaCOM project consortium, industry experts and within the broader aquathermal energy network, and receive hands-on mentoring and technical support to develop a viable aquathermal energy implementation plan for their area. The programme includes visits to the project pilot sites (in Belgium, France and the Netherlands), masterclasses and training initiatives. Their direct hands-on experience and knowledge will also inform and provide valuable input in developing relevant learning materials and guidelines throughout the project.
We will introduce them now briefly.
1. ZuidtrAnt (BE) was founded as an energy cooperative in 2016 and has 1050 members (Spring 2024). It focuses on local projects in the province of Antwerp, aims for energy independence, and ensures that everyone can benefit from renewable energy, even those who cannot afford the transition. It currently operates 27 photovoltaic installations producing 1656 MWh of green electricity and 1 district heating network distributing 8300 MWh of sustainable heat in 2023. 2 small district heating grids using geothermal heat pumps are in development. It has an interest in learning more about aquathermal energy technologies, keen to determine if AQE could be an option for potential community-led power generation in their local area, and eager to pursue this as a potential project with 2 potential projects in mind: one in the municipality of Ranst and one in Schoten.
2. Campina Energie (BE) - is an energy cooperative in the Flemish region ‘de Kempen’, founded in March 2015. The cooperative aims to bring citizens together to invest in renewable energy and energy savings in ‘de Kempen’ region. By striving for a climate-neutral region, ‘de Kempen’ becomes less dependent on expensive, imported energy. Through this, Campina Energie strengthens the region's economic power. Campina Energie consists of 1932 people who have bought a share in the cooperative and benefit from possible profits. They have 64 solar installations on non-residential buildings and investments in 9 wind turbines, but also an investment in a CST installation and heat pump for a sports complex. Several heat network projects are in preparation. Campina Energie has also done 500 home visits with renovation advice.
Potential new projects with AQE are providing opportunities for the city of Herentals, which is right next to the Albert Canal.
3. The City of Leuven (BE) is an historic city with big ambitions. is an historic city with big ambitions. A roadmap was developed to get the city climate-neutral by 2050. The river Dijle flowing through the city can make a major contribution to these goals. An aquathermal energy project (Dijlemolens) has already been successfully realised in the city. This project was a great collaboration between the residents of the apartment building and the city of Leuven. The city administration wants to build on this support and guide co-owner associations to integrate aquathermal energy into their energy system and act as an energy community.
4. The Municipality of Wichelen (BE) is a picturesque municipality in East Flanders, Belgium. Known for its lush greenery and tranquil atmosphere, Wichelen offers a rich cultural heritage and scenic landscapes. The Schelde River, a central feature of Wichelen, not only enhances the area's beauty but also holds significant potential for innovative energy solutions, particularly aquathermal installations. Historically, the Schelde was vital for trade and transportation, significantly contributing to the region's economic development. Today, the river enhances the area's natural beauty and serves as a recreational asset for both locals and visitors. Given the presence of the Schelde, Wichelen is ideally situated to harness this renewable energy source.
5. De Wynroos fan Reahûs (NL) - is an energy cooperative in the small village of Reahûs (200 inhabitants, 70 dwellings) along a canal. It has been established to replace the wind turbine that was installed there by its predecessor (a foundation) in 1993. In 2021 a working group of 5 inhabitants, Energiek Reahûs, wrote a plan for getting the village energy independent. Part of the plan is to install a heat pump driven by the green electricity of the new wind turbine to harvest the aquathermal potential of the canal and power part of a district heating system The village and its cooperative are very ambitious and want to look into a multiple source strategy to warm the village.
6. Coöperatie Duurzaam Koudum (NL) - Koudum is a small village (2575 inhabitants) in Frylân that is locked in between several lakes and the Ijsselmeer lake. The cooperative currently has 165 members, and is well organised. It has developed several PV projects and an EV charging facility. Their local energy coach provides advice to households on managing and reducing their energy consumption, and in 2023 a working group ‘Warm Koudum’ with the aspiration to find ways to provide affordable fossil free heating for the village. Obviously aquathermal energy comes in the scope then as a potential heat source.
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7. Energie Coöperatie Gaasterland (NL) - ECG is an established and actively engaged energy cooperative in Fryslân which has multiple energy production projects in place. The next step is to take on the heat transition: the cooperative wants to heat the village of Balk using a combination of aquathermal energy from the river Luts and residual heat from a plastics company which is tied to the village. A draft design and a business plan for a daughter company, Eigen Warmte Balk B.V., which is judged feasible by external partners is already in place, but a lot of work still has to be done. They hope to get started in 2026-27.
8. Bürgerenergie Hattingen (DE) is an energy community based in the town of Hattingen, North-Rhine Westphalia along the river Ruhr. The initiative was taken in 2023 by three members of the local town council. Their initiative kept growing and on 14/05/2024 an association was founded that will enhance the creation of a local energy cooperative. Hattingen has an energy demand of 800 GWh/ year, of which until now only 3% are sourced sustainably without greenhouse gas emissions. The young association has strong ambitions to strengthen the energy transition in Hattingen towards renewable energy. They see high potential in implementing AQE in the close-by river Ruhr and are eager to learn more about potential implementation strategies and concretize their ideas throughout the project.
9. Glenstal Abbey Sustainable Energy Community (Glenstal SEC,IRL) is part of Glenstal Abbey which is home to a community of 27 monks and has a school of 205 students and 100 employees. It is situated in mature native woodland which is being actively conserved and rejuvenated, as well as an active dairy farm. The parkland includes a number of artificial lakes. Glenstal SEC has developed and published an Energy Master Plan in 2023. Feasibility studies were conducted on wind energy in 2008-2009 and in 2022. A water source heat pump was installed in 2011 and upgraded in 2016 and provides 25% of campus heating needs. They are preparing a feasibility study of a 0.5MW solar farm working towards significant community energy generation. The hope would be to develop a feasibility study to utilise the heat from the water in one or more of the lakes to heat all the campus buildings and neighbours in the village.
10. Croom Community Development Association (IRL) is a sustainable energy community servicing the community of Croom in Co. Limerick. They work with stakeholders across the community, including business owners’ educators, those involved in sporting bodies and residential groups with the prospect of making Croom a vibrant, sustainable and communal place to live and work. They have overseen many projects including the creation of Croom Civic Centre with solar PV and solar thermal, as well as Croom Town Park, and the refurbishment of a community centre which has been converted into a sports hub. Croom is on the river Maigue with both community buildings and housing in close proximity (within a couple of meters) of the river. The group is keen to work towards the common goal of reducing Croom community's carbon footprint.
11. The Kylemore Trust (IRL)- Kylemore Abbey is a Benedictine monastery and iconic visitor and heritage attraction welcoming over 500,000 visitors to Kylemore annually. Set in 1,000 acres of mountainside in Connemara, Co Galway, Ireland and located immediately adjacent to Lake Pollacappul and Kylemore Lough in a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Kylemore has a rich history and heritage of sustainable energy from its origins in the 19th century with micro hydroelectricity and is currently engaged in developing a new Masterplan for the Estate. Activities currently in train include: converting the Estate fleet to electric vehicles, transition to HVO fuel for shuttle buses onsite, working towards a ground mounted Solar Farm. The Trust is interested in learning more about the potential of Aquathermal energy and its potential for heating some of the many buildings on the estate (new Monastery & Residential Retreat Centre, Visitor Experience, Cafe & Shop etc.).
12. Synergy Credit Union Sustainable Energy Community (IRL) is based in North Cork and is adjacent to the River Blackwater in Fermoy and the River Lee in Cork City. Synergy CU serves a community of over 20,000 members in North Cork and 2,500 members in Cork City. This large and engaged membership base provides a strong foundation for collective energy initiatives, ensuring widespread community support and participation.
Synergy CU became a Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) in 2022 which enabled the SEC to engage with local stakeholders such as community groups, businesses, residents and farmers in the area. The group’s Energy Management Plan is almost complete, and will be launched in Autumn 2024. Through their participation in the AquaCOM project, Synergy Credit Union SEC would like to establish if the rivers in Cork City and Fermoy can utilise AQE as a renewable source for heating and cooling homes and businesses in the catchment.
13. The City of Lorient (FR) has been active on energy for over 30 years and is a member of the French association AMORCE and European city network Energy Cities. It signed its PCAET (territorial climate, air and energy plan) in 2019 with the ambition of developing 31GWh of aquathermal energy within its territory by 2030. As a shareholder of the SPL BER, the city of Lorient is therefore an associate partner in the AquaCOM project. A feasibility study is currently being carried out on its territory to examine the technical and environmental feasibility of such a heating network. In 2022, it had produced more than 600 MWh of photovoltaic energy, 116 MWh of solar thermal energy, 3 wood-energy heating networks and geothermal energy projects.
Read the blog of the Energy and Environment department →
14. Conseil Départemental du Morbihan (FR) is an energy community established in 1982, and a member of the AMORCE association: France's leading network for information, experience-sharing and support for local authorities and players in the fields of energy transition, local waste management, the circular economy and sustainable water management. Thanks to the NOTRe French law, new powers have been given to the regions and the powers attributed to each local authority have been redefined, including the management of energy consumption and CO2 emissions within its territory. The departmental council has implemented renewable energy projects with wood, solar and geothermal pumps on its buildings. As the Département is close to the ocean, aquathermal energy is a solution that needs to be actively developed across the region.
15. Auray Quiberon Terre Atlantique (FR) is a community of 24 municipalities that was established in 2014 to focus on the sustainable development of the territory.
AQTA is developing renewable energy projects on its territory in accordance with the PCAET (territorial climate, air and energy plan) adopted in 2020. They have a renewable energy master plan to help them prioritise projects. In 2023, they will be developing their own public company facility to speed up the adoption of renewable energy projects in their area.
Today, 27 energy audits, 9 renewable feasibility studies, 5 renewable energy projects and several wood-energy heating networks have been carried out since this pact was signed. Their future ambition is to develop aquathermal energy in their area, which is close to the ocean and has two rivers, the Sal and the Loc'h.
16. Conseil Région Bretagne (FR) is, as the regional authority of Bretagne and member of the French association AMORCE, active in the energy transition.
The Region is committed to various energy resilience plans, including an energy strategy for its ports 2023-2033, setting ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gases to combat climate change and for adaptation. It is also helping more local authorities to develop climate, air and energy plans (PCAET). As part of those plans, the Région is focused on maritime energies such as aquathermal energy, offshore wind energy, tidal and wave energy. They see high potential on their harbours as well as channels and would like to receive training and find out how to adopt this technology so that it can be deployed throughout the whole department.
