Fluvius and Kuurne connect first existing home to district heating grid
The municipality of Kuurne is taking an important step in its sustainable development with its district heating network. This innovative project in collaboration with Fluvius, uses residual heat from Imog's incinerator in Harelbeke to heat many of Kuurne's public and private buildings.
A district heating network is a sustainable alternative to individual heating systems. The reconstruction of the utilities in the centre of Kuurne was a one-off and unique opportunity to extend the heat network into the heart of our municipality. Through a network of underground pipes, the residual heat is transported to many public buildings, large consumers but also to private individuals. The network enters Kuurne via the towpath and now passes through the centre of our municipality via Koning Albertstraat towards Tramstatie. Today, Kuurne already has 152 connections to the heat network.
Mayor Francis Benoit: "Kuurne made history in 2016 with the construction of the very first district heating network in Flanders. Thanks to the recent centre renovation, Fluvius' heat network is now also concreted in the heart of our municipality, which offers a lot of potential. "
Pieter de Graeve of Fluvius said, "With this heat network, as a heat network operator, we are taking an important step towards the future of energy in Flanders. This project shows how innovative technology, local cooperation and sustainable sources go hand in hand towards a climate-neutral society."
Kuurne is now once again pioneering in several areas. Kuurne town hall is the first town hall in Flanders to be connected to Fluvius' heat network. Work is currently underway at the town hall and Social House for the effective conversion to waste heat. Both connections will be commissioned in the coming weeks. The municipality could count on financial support from the Province of West Flanders for this.
Deputy Jurgen Vanlerberghe: "Back in 2021, Kuurne applied for a subsidy to connect their public buildings. Support that we were happy to grant. Currently, a number of decisions in the dossier have been adjusted by necessity. But we from the Province are very pleased that Kuurne has persevered and searched and thus still realised their heat network and contribute to the energy transition. "
Some large-scale partners also recently chose to connect to the heat grid. Besides the new school building of 'Go De Boomgaard', banquet halls 'Van Wonterghem' also connected. Gregory Van Wonterghem: "Both our customers and as people and entrepreneurs, we consider sustainable entrepreneurship important. Together with our solar panels and a heat network that passes next door, we can reduce our CO2 emissions by more than 3/4. A moral must if you ask us. As a company, we are now 90 years old and this is only possible if you have a long-term vision in mind."
But the absolute first goes to Brecht Vanessche and Julie Ameye from Koning Albertstraat 33, who are the owners of the first existing house in Flanders to be connected to a heat network. The construction of the heat network at the centre works in Koning Albertstraat was a unique opportunity for their conversion project.
Brecht Vanessche: "We want to prepare our home for the future, a connection to the heat network contributes to this and also has a positive effect on the environment. "
Francis Benoit: "Today, Kuurne is once again pioneering in Flanders. The residential park on the border with Harelbeke was already connected, and thanks to the centre renovation, the Town Hall, Social House, party halls Van Wonterghem and Go De Boomgaard are now added. Another school and residential care centre are also in the pipeline. But there are also fears around the price among private individuals. Customers must be guaranteed to pay a fair price for the heat they purchase and receive transparent information. In this way, we can accelerate the rate of connection to Fluvius' heat network. A win-win for all parties involved."
Bart Wouters