A feasible heat zoning plan for Evergem

Today, cities and municipalities are looking for the best and most affordable solution to make their heat supplies more sustainable. More and more (local) governments come to us for advice. "I see two extremes in my daily contacts," says Patrick Verdonck, business development & innovation manager at Antea Group. "On the one hand, there are local authorities that consider the energy saving targets of 55% by 2030 completely unrealistic under the current conditions. They mainly hope for subsidies from the higher authorities to achieve their objective. On the other hand, there are the idealists. These are often local authorities who think that one technical solution will solve all problems – when the time is right."

Of course, much more is needed to enable the transition to a climate-resilient society. It is the sum of different actors, methodologies and techniques that, together, make a positive contribution to a low-carbon economy. "Fortunately, there are also cities and municipalities that want to really integrate the 'climate' theme into their policy. And they are prepared to make the necessary investments today," says Patrick.

Evergem wants to reduce its energy consumption (and limit the loss), stimulate sustainable energy sources and, if necessary, supplement it with efficient and clean use of fossil fuels. Developing a step-by-step plan and strategy for sustainable energy is custom work, but not impossible. As part of the Interreg project DOEN, Antea Group developed a methodology to guide the municipality in drawing up a heat zoning plan. A plan that is based on both the supply and demand of energy (residual flows) and that, based on various criteria (economic, social, spatial), searches for the most appropriate heat solution for the district.

Through workshops, we received concrete location-related information about companies, as well as planned urban developments and renovation works in the area. "Everyone could have their say: the 'believers' and 'non-believers' of heat networks, and those who promote green gas as the best and only solution," says Verdonck. The stakeholders provided us with the necessary insights so as to map out the opportunities to make the municipality’s heat demand more sustainable. We also examined the residual heat potential of Stora Enso.

"Although a heat pipe already runs from the Stora Enso paper mill under the Ghent-Terneuzen canal to the Volvo automotive plant, a lot of heat from companies is still lost in the canal zone," said Sven Roegiers (CD&V) on 5 January 2021 in Het Nieuwsblad. "We want to negotiate with Stora Enso to recover heat from the company. Perhaps that is also possible at the Algist yeast factory. The new residential care center Ter Caele, the municipal council and private individuals in new allotments could connect to the network."

Together with the provincial and the municipal bodies, we have already tested the realisation possibilities using our DBH method. This has resulted in a zoning map where every neighborhood receives a heat solution that is sustainable, affordable and feasible. Evergem clearly wants to work on the climate challenges: they have now started a process with Fluvius to further refine the plan and to realise the first projects.

"So you see ... With the right focus and a driven team, you hardly need green gas to realise a climate-neutral city," Verdonck concludes.