From pilot implementation to practical knowledge

The SEEDS project continues to make progress in demonstrating how electrified thermal systems can contribute to more efficient and sustainable heating solutions for buildings.

Recent activities have focused on two complementary areas: advancing the implementation of the Belgian pilot projects and strengthening knowledge around the technical, financial and organisational aspects of heat network deployment.

Together, these activities provide valuable insights into both the technologies being implemented and the practical considerations that influence their successful adoption.

Progress at the Belgian pilot sites

Stijn Streuvels: approaching the final implementation phase

The renovation of the Stijn Streuvels neighbourhood is nearing completion.

The building envelope has been refurbished, individual technical systems have been installed in the homes, and the necessary piping connecting the houses to the central technical room is now in place. Interior finishing works are currently underway.

The remaining activities include the landscaping of the central courtyard, beneath which the borefield is located, as well as the completion of the central technical room – the heart of the district heating network.

A geothermal heat pump at the heart of the system

The central technical room will house a central geothermal heat pump, using the ground as an energy source for the heating system.

The selected unit, the Ecoforest EcoGEO+ Lite PRO, uses R290 (propane) as a natural refrigerant.

An important feature of the installation is its smart control system. By enabling the system to operate efficiently with smaller units, the solution helped reduce investment requirements while avoiding the need for additional safety measures in the technical room.

This demonstrates how the combination of appropriate technology selection and intelligent control can play an important role in designing efficient and practical heating systems for residential neighbourhoods.

Advancing the heating system at de Schipjes

Progress is also continuing at the neighbouring de Schipjes district.

The upgrade of the existing central systems is expected to be delivered shortly. Following the takeover of the original contractor by Group Monument, the team has been completing the remaining finishing activities and awaiting the official as-built documentation.

The system combines ground-source heat with the possibility of support from air-to-water heat pumps. It is also managed through smart model predictive control (MPC).

Importantly, the system has already been providing heating comfort to residents for more than a year, offering valuable experience from an operational installation.

Turning technical experience into practical knowledge

The progress of the pilot sites is complemented by activities focused on understanding the broader challenges involved in implementing electrified thermal systems.

Through discussions with key decision-makers, the SEEDS team has been examining the practical barriers faced when planning, implementing and operating these systems.

The insights collected so far point to challenges across several areas, including:

• Technical considerations
• Economic and financial aspects
• Organisational and operational challenges
• Policy and regulatory requirements
• Knowledge and awareness gaps

Rather than looking at these challenges only from a technical perspective, the project is also considering the different needs and responsibilities of actors involved in the transition, including local authorities, project developers and property management organisations.

This helps SEEDS connect technological solutions with the real-world conditions in which they need to be implemented.

Sharing knowledge beyond the pilot sites

Knowledge exchange is another important part of the SEEDS activities.

As part of these efforts, a recent lecture introduced a broad audience to the basics of heat pumps and geothermal energy within a course focused on heat networks in the real estate sector.

The session provided an opportunity to discuss the technical principles behind these technologies while placing them in the wider context of heat network development.

The learning experience also went beyond the lecture itself. Participation in the wider course provided insights into the legal, financial and organisational structures that influence the practical implementation of heat networks in real estate.

This broader perspective is particularly relevant to the SEEDS approach, where successful electrification depends not only on technology, but also on the conditions that allow these solutions to be adopted and operated effectively.

From demonstration to wider application

The combination of real-world pilot implementation, operational experience and knowledge exchange is helping SEEDS build a more complete understanding of what is needed to accelerate the electrification of thermal systems.

The Belgian pilot sites provide practical insights into the deployment and operation of geothermal and hybrid heating solutions, while the project’s stakeholder-oriented activities help identify the challenges that can influence their wider adoption.

The next phase will focus on translating these insights into practical tools and resources that can support stakeholders in making more informed decisions around electrified thermal systems.