Throwback to the Flux50 Smart Energy Academy 19-21 November 2019

This Smart Energy Academy was the ideal opportunity to bring newcomers as well as old hands to the right cruising speed in the broad world of energy. 

In this three-day steam course we provided our participants with the basics to grasp the challenges of the energy transition, but also the latest innovations from our Flemish companies. 

Flux50 was delighted to have more female participants than ever before.

The first day focused on the different roles and players active on the energy market.  We kicked off in the impressive Elia training room with a presentation and the real life data of the Elia control center. Frederik Loeckx focused the importance of the energy transition and the associated ambitions of Flux50 to realize this through your innovative projects. Sara Van Dyck (BBL) gave us a powerful climate wake-up call. After these introductions the different players on the market concretised their role on the electricity market: DSO (Distribution System Operator) of the closed distribution network at Brussels Airport, energy supplier Aspiravi Groep, VREG, counselor Loyens & Loeff and TSO (Transmission System Operator) Elia. 

Take home messages:

• Energy is no boring stuff but offers a large scale of opportunities to support mitigation of climate change
• The energy market is a complex ecosystem 
• A closed distribution network has the main task to distribute electricity but has different obligations to comply with than a regular DSO
• The energy supplier has endless links with customers, wholesalemarket, DSO and plays a vital role in flexibility
• The role of the TSO is to manage the country’s electricity infrastructure, balance and control the energy system and support the development of the European market. 

Did you know? that the DSO at Brussels airport has to run around all day to prevent workers making holes in their pipe and tube system?

On the second day we learned about the state of play of different technologies and aspects to take into account for the energy transition. The academy was hosted by Eneria, which introduced us to the concept of hybrid microgrids.  Anteagroup pulled us out of the comfort zone telling us the broader story and the role of the engineering and consulting company in the energy transition.  Engie elaborated on the role of hydrogen and Van Marcke Engineer/Warmtenet Vlaanderen stated that district heating is to play an important role in the energy transition.  We learned from Condugo that there's a huge opportunity for actions in industry while Proximus showed that the digital transformation is definitely ongoing.  IthoDaalderop/Pixii focused on the importance of smart HVAC complementing the story of Niko illustrating the impact of the energy transition on the end consumer.  We closed the day with a focus on regulation for a smart city. 

Some take home messages

• Technology is already advanced to realise the energy transition one of the challenges lies in the scaling up and integration of existing technologies
• H2 is a relevant energy source/vector but the global roll out and usage is only possible on a longer term - we are currently facing the subsidised demo and pilot phase. 
• We need more trust in the ability of heating nets to roll them out also in the non social-residential sector
• If we want to realise the energy transition we should also focus one the forgotten consumer: the industrial players
• Remember SMC

Did you know? that 90% of the production of chrysanthemums in Flanders is originated in Roeselare and fed by the local heating net? that Niko staff is trained for operating caterpillar excavators?

We finished the academy with a day on  Local Energy Communities (LEC) in Flanders at ABB.  Some of the players in the Flux50 ROLECS project (ABB, EnergyVille, Enervalis, Th!nk-E, VUB, Blixt, Fluvius & Imec/Ugent) tried to answer these questions: 

• How do/Do LECs contribute to the energy transition?
• Which pilots are ongoing in Flanders and the EU?
• Which technological, economic and regulatory aspects determine LECs?

June elaborated on the Connected Buildings demo project and the involvement of the end consumer  

Some take home messages: 

• What makes an energy community so attractive? It makes renewable energy accessible to everyone, much more than it saves investments on the net or limits energy losses.
• In Europe there are already some examples of the implementation of the clean Energy package directive, but non of them defines the energy community in exactly the same way. In Flanders as well it would be best to opt for a more free interpretation that allows more than the citizen energy community (CEC) and renewable energy community (REC). 

Did you know? that Belgium with its 4 energy ministers and jurisdiction is a huge playground for our energy lawyers?