Market sector
Private and public
Number of housing units and buildings
3 offices and 2 residential buildings
Area (m²)
Heat source type
Closed-loop geothermal and aquathermal energy
Project number
K-0182
Location
North District
Contract type
DBFMO
Consumption
(heating/cooling)
MWh
Client
Bruxelles Environnement, Foyer Laekenois, Zin, WhiteWood
Use
Residential
Works start/end date
end 2025 – mid 2027
Amount excl. VAT
(entire project)
6.5 M€
Renewable energy for offices and housing
A Heating Network to Sustainably Power the North Quarter’s Infrastructure.
Project Objectives
This network is powered by a geothermal probe system and river thermal energy, distributed to 3 offices and 2 housing units in the City of Brussels.
Harnessing Geothermal Energy
The geothermal energy is a renewable energy source that relies on harnessing the heat naturally present in the subsurface. In the context of heating networks, it allows this heat to be captured via shallow or deep boreholes, and then distributed through a hydraulic network. This technology offers the advantage of being locally available, stable year-round, and a low emitter of greenhouse gases. By mobilizing this sustainable resource, it is possible to significantly reduce dependence on fossil fuels, while ensuring a continuous and controlled energy supply.
Aquathermal energy, for its part, harnesses the heat contained in wastewater, whether domestic or from a sewage network or a treatment plant. These waters, generally at a temperature between 12 and 20°C, constitute an interesting energy source for heat pumps. By integrating it into a heating network, aquathermal energy allows for the recovery of local, constant, and hitherto underutilized energy, thus contributing to the decarbonization of the thermal sector while leveraging a resource already available in the region.
The integration of geothermal and aquathermal energy into heating networks is therefore an important strategy for energy transition and carbon footprint reduction.
Project Impact
Energy Saved
MWH
Green heat produced over 1 year
CO2 Reduction
Tonnes
CO2 avoided over 20 years
Reduced Costs
100%
Decarbonized heat
Benefits for the Community
The development of the North Quarter’s urban heating network offers concrete benefits for the community by providing an economical and green heat source. By utilizing renewable energy from geothermal and aquathermal sources, this project reduces costs and decreases the local carbon footprint, while contributing to a healthier and more sustainable environment.
