LIEGE science park, the 1st Walloon industrial park voluntarily committed to an Energy Community project.
21 companies and ULiège are studying the possibility of setting up an energy community at LIEGE science park, in a pioneering approach based on the willingness and collaboration of the players involved. An autonomous project, driven by a spirit of innovation and shared values for the sustainability of the industrial park, it capitalizes on the park's companies' own technological and scientific expertise, and thus constitutes a "living lab", a pilot experiment that can inspire both the legislator (for the evolution of the Walloon regulatory framework) and other business parks in Wallonia.
The current project is supported by a feasibility study carried out by Bureau Greisch and the development of a dynamic digital solution with a long-term vision developed by Level IT, two of the 21 participating LIEGE science park companies. It envisages the creation of an Energy Community integrating electrical production and consumption, electromobility needs and the sharing of thermal energy, which goes beyond the current regulatory framework limited to the sharing of electrical energy. The project covers 35 corporate and university buildings on a 100-hectare site.
Over the next few months, the players involved intend to bring the LIEGE science park Energy Community to fruition, with the support of SPI, which is involved in CERWal, the potential manager of the future Energy Community. The next steps are to structure the Energy Community (agreements, calls for tender for additional renewable energy capacity, interactions with energy suppliers, etc.) and establish its governance (incorporation of the legal entity, setting up the IT system, commercial management, certification, etc.) before fully entering the operational phase.
The LIEGE science park, co-managed by SPI (real estate, hosting investors) and ULiège (via its RISE department, guarantor of the park's scientific character), is a community driven by the desire for innovative projects to emerge between companies and researchers.
The Comité des Entreprises du LIEGE science park, a de facto association, is part of a participative culture that draws on local skills and focuses on concrete solutions. 7 working groups contribute to the running of the park, including the Energy Community Working Group, set up in 2021.
Within the Energy Community WG :
SPI, the science park manager, contributes its expertise to the technical and administrative development of the Energy Communities.
ULiège-RISE (ULiège's Research, Innovation, Support and Enterprise department) coordinates the players and the link with university researchers.
Bureau Greisch, also specialized in the technical design of Energy Communities, carried out the feasibility study and contributed its expertise for the dimensioning of the Energy Community.
Level IT, an IT engineering firm specializing in the development of connected information systems (to solve complex problems with a systemic approach, in multi-organization ecosystems or territories) is developing the IT solution for generating and managing the data needed to size the Energy Community.
Consolar, a company specializing in the use of electrical energy and the production of renewable energy on an industrial scale, is contributing its expertise in photovoltaic panels, batteries and electric charging stations, and in supporting participating companies.
2020
Pre-study by the ZELDA (Zoning à Electricité Locale Durable) project on electricity sharing within industrial zones (SPI, RESA and ORES, CERWAL, UMONS), covering 57 business parks including the LIEGE science park.
2021
Call for projects from the 80 companies in the LIEGE science park and establishment of the Energy Community Working Group.
2023
2024
Communication of results to participating companies in February, confirming the societal, environmental and economic benefits.
Press contact: Alexia Louchet, Marketing & Communication Manager ULiège-RISE, +32 475 64 10 51, a.louchet@uliege.be
ULiège and its partners FOREM and IDELUX are inaugurating a sustainable housing technology platform on the Arlon campus to meet the needs of the wood and construction sectors.
Coordinated by the University of Liège, the project aims to continue to position the Greater Region as a European model for the efficient management of technological resources and waste.
Communiqué du Conseil des rectrices et recteurs du 18 avril 2024 à propos du décret « Paysage » amendé
