Interview: “Our incubator is a European first!”

Jimmy Van Moer is no stranger to those Flux50 members who attended the recent Smart Energy Academy or last year’s seminar "Throw the Box Away". As the mastermind behind UZ Brussels’ innovative, integrated energy approach, he is the right person to provide background information on the prestigious Green Energy Park Zellik that was recently launched. Jimmy Van Moer: “The project stems from our ambition to share the know-how on smart grids and energy storage we’ve gained over the years. We wanted to create an incubator, focused on green energy systems, microgrids and smart grids, where companies can develop future solutions. At the same time, we were planning to build a datacenter to house some supercomputers and that put us before certain challenges. On the one hand, supercomputers need a lot of electricity, that we wanted to come from solar panels. On the other hand, they generate a lot of rest heat, but only of about 30 to 40 degrees. What if we could upgrade that heat to 70 or 80 degrees and sell it to nearby companies? Gradually, the pieces of the puzzle came together in the ambitious project that Green Energy Park Zellik is today.” 

Through Flux50, UZ Brussel submitted no less than 6 feasibility studies to help realize Green Energy Park Zellik. Is that right?

“That’s right, we’ve been busy (laughs). Green Energy Park Zellik is the only living lab in Europe to integrate an electric and a thermal grid. Three feasibility studies focus on the electric microgrid: (1) CO2‐neutral grid, (2) battery to grid and (3) vehicle to grid. The first study investigates for example the implications of building a microgrid in an existing environment. Ours is an interesting case, because most microgrids start from scratch, whereas we want to integrate the buildings of the research park Zellik! The microgrid will also be an excellent test-lab for batteries and electric mobility. Two other feasibility studies are related to the thermal grid: (4) green datacenter and (5) thermal grid. The 6th and final feasibility study is an atypical one – we want to build an experimental operating room in UZ Brussel that can be used as a test-lab to identify the best energy system for specific needs. I don’t want to go into detail here, but Flux50 members who would like more information on one of the studies, can contact me at jimmy.vanmoer@uzbrussel.be.”

How important was Flux50’s support in this project?

“Green Energy Park Zellik could never have been realized without Flux50. Managing director Frederik Loeckx was great in introducing us to the right people and partners. He brought us into contact with ministers and helped us get Eandis on board. Equally vital was Flux50’s support in submitting the feasibility studies for funding.”

Can we consider the project as a prime example of cooperation?

“Absolutely. Green Energy Park Zellik is the first tangible realization to prove the claim Flux50 has made from its start: Flanders can gain international recognition as a smart energy region, when relevant players from the industry, government and academia work together. Our incubator is a European first! Green Energy Park Zellik is supported by a.o. VLAIO, PMV, the cabinets of Minister Muyters and Minister Tommelein, Eandis and a consortium of 35 technological frontrunners, like ABB, Schneider Electric, SDM group, Riello ups, Exide, Bluways, Belports and Priva.”