Why an innovative living lab for energy?
To tackle major societal challenges such as the climate crisis in a rapidly changing world, cross-sectoral innovations are indispensable. Here, innovations should be given every opportunity to be rolled out quickly and effectively. Applying, testing and validating integrated concepts in a real context allows us to demonstrate the effectiveness of the concept, accelerate scalability, and generate the necessary visibility to accelerate the transition to a sustainable society.
The Open Thor living lab: a top European innovation environment
The oPEN Thor living lab is a top-level European innovation environment founded by EnergyVille, Thor Park and the City of Genk, which focuses on energy transition in living, working and mobility. The oPEN Thor living lab comprises the Thor science and business park, the New Texas social housing estate, the adjacent Waterschei Garden suburb, and the buildings and grounds of KRC Genk, all located in Genk. These five zones each have a different context and challenge and together form a valuable ecosystem of industry, researchers, entrepreneurs, end-users, residential residents and governments to develop innovative system integration solutions for business parks as well as residential and urban environments.
A wide range of innovative technologies/applications form the backbone for the oPEN Thor test infrastructure:
- Battery storage
- Conversion
- Electric networks
- Energy strategies and markets
- Energy for buildings and districts
- Thermal networks
- Thermal storage
- Thermal systems
- Power electronics
- Solar energy
Read more about the different labs and testing options on the website of EnergyVille
Contact
oPEN Thor
openthor@energyville.be
