EnergyVille is a collaboration between the Flemish research partners  VITO, KU Leuven, imec and UHasselt in the field of sustainable energy and intelligent energy systems. Our researchers provide expertise to industry and public authorities on energy-efficient buildings and intelligent networks for a sustainable urban environment. This includes, for example, smart grids and advanced district heating and cooling. At VITO, we develop innovative technologies, methodologies and tools related to the topics below:

A sustainable future energy system requires thermal networks. In contrast to the centrally controlled heating networks of the past, these networks must now be optimally integrated into the energy system. This means that the aim should be maximum flexibility. These thermal networks should therefore also be combined with storage and conversion technology and intelligent control systems. The fourth generation thermal networks form a critical component of the infrastructure that will be needed to enable the large-scale integration of renewable energy sources.

Cities and communities play a crucial role in efforts to combat climate change, as they account for no less than 75% of our energy use. VITO/EnergyVille supports the European Commission, regional and local government bodies and businesses in the transition to a low-carbon and sustainable urban infrastructure. We do this by developing new technological insights, tools and evaluation methods, and by supporting new business models.

VITO/EnergyVille studies the economic, technological and behavioural aspects of the current and future energy system, and provides advice on developments in the short and long term. We monitor the supply and demand of energy, carry out assessments and provide businesses and decision-makers at local, regional and European level with advice in the area of energy efficiency, renewable energy and flexibility.

Meet Open Thor, a state-of-the-art living lab for the energy transition that offers, in addition to strategic infrastructure, a unique ecosystem of innovation where co-development and co-creation between scientific, industrial and residential partners are central. Also discover EnergyVille's labs here. These labs are available to our experts to conduct research, or you can also contact us to rent (part of) a lab.

VITO/EnergyVille is an expert in providing a suitable interface between electricity storage units and their associated systems. The purpose of the hardware and software components involved is to make energy consumption within those systems more efficient, more flexible and more cost effective.

EnergyVille Annual Report

Every year, EnergyVille publishes an annual report with an overview of the most interesting research highlights. Feel free to browse through the current annual report or take a look at one of the previous editions. We hope that these annual reports will shed an inspiring light on the energy transition.