EDF Luminus invests in district heating in Ghent
Today, Flemish minister for Energy Annemie Turtelboom and Mayor of the city of Ghent Daniel Termont have inaugurated 2 CHP engines with a capacity of 2.5 MW each, which will feed the largest district heating system in Belgium in a sustainable way. On this occasion, a cooperation agreement has been signed between the EDF Group, EDF Luminus and the city of Ghent to exchange expertise and develop concrete innovative projects for the city of Ghent within the scope of Smart Cities and energy efficiency.
A different look at energy
By 2050, 75% of the world population will live in an urban environment. Aware of the resulting challenges, EDF is convinced that the traditional manner of using energy should be revised and that new sustainable solutions should be provided to citizens.
The EDF Group, world leader in electricity and the biggest electricity producer in Europe, invests € 500 million a year in R&D. One of the top priorities is ‘sustainable cities’.
In Belgium, EDF Luminus has developed an innovation strategy and addresses the challenges as to energy, economy and the environment. EDF Luminus focuses on new technologies for electricity generation, energy efficiency, the social impact of projects and their environmental effects.
Innovative, sustainable and mobilising projects in the city of Ghent
The city of Ghent has strong ambitions with regard to energy efficiency and climate policy. The city aims to become climate-neutral by 2050 and takes active and sensible steps towards this transition.
With the Climate Alliance, the city intends to involve as many businesses, citizens and associations as possible. One of the first signatories to the European Covenant of Mayors and active member of the Climate Alliance, the city of Ghent is also active internationally in addressing the climate crisis.
The city of Ghent has invested in various projects within the scope of sustainable heating and energy efficiency, and applies the same requirements to private partners in construction or development projects. EDF Luminus and the EDF Group have made their expertise available to support these projects.
The district heating system upgrade contributes to achieving Ghent’s ecological objectives
This year, EDF Luminus has invested € 5 million in the upgrade of the Ghent district heating system, the biggest in Belgium with a network of over 22 km. Two CHP engines of 2.5 MW each are put into service. Combined heat and power (CHP) or cogeneration is a technology which simultaneously generates heat and mechanical energy. These new gas-fired engines convert this mechanical energy into electricity. The waste heat released in the process and heat from the exhaust gases is used to feed the district heating network. This way, EDF Luminus succeeds in reducing its CO2 emissions by over 35% compared to conventional gas-fired heating systems. In addition, the company ensures a competitive price and greater comfort for the customer.
Another focal point is the solutions provided by smart heating and cooling networks of the 4th generation to the energy issues the urban community is facing.
Smart metering pilot project in AC ZUID
A joint pilot project was started within the scope of developing Ghent as a CO2-neutral city. AC Zuid (Administrative Centre) was equipped with several meters, sub meters and probes to map the various energy flows. The measured data are then visualised and put at the disposal of the city of Ghent.
This increases our understanding of the energy management in the building concerned. And this will in turn enable the city of Ghent to improve the energy efficiency (together with EDF).
- Analyse the consumption profile
- Determine potential savings
- Draw up and implement an action plan
- Monitor the results
A partnership with cities and municipalities
The EDF Group and EDF Luminus will develop and share their expertise in concrete projects by actively collaborating with cities and municipalities. It is in their interest to be able to make use of this knowhow, which creates added value.
Grégoire Dallemagne, CEO of EDF Luminus: “We are proud to be able to reinforce our ties with Ghent and develop innovative and sustainable solutions for the inhabitants of this city, where our company has been present for a considerable time.”
Daniël Termont, Mayor of Ghent: “We are very pleased that EDF Luminus breathes new life into the heating network and thus offers us the opportunity to heat numerous buildings in a smart and energy-efficient way. We also hope to make use of the knowhow and experience which a major international group can provide us in our long but indispensable effort to become a climate-neutral city.”
Vice minister-president of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister for Energy Annemie Turtelboom: “This kind of initiative owns the future. More than half of the energy consumed in Flanders is used for heating or cooling. We currently have a great deal of unexploited potential for green heating. The present Flemish Government aims to utilise this potential to the full. We have therefore launched a call to propose projects concerning green heating. A budget of € 8,207,472 is available for support.”
The agreement signed today by the city of Ghent, the EDF Group and EDF Luminus is a tangible sign that there is a desire to find solutions to environmental challenges through innovation: sustainable cities, smart networks, electric vehicles and energy efficiency of buildings are only a few examples.
