The recovery of so-called residual heat is one of the most promising avenues for addressing climate issues. Residual energy refers to unused energy in an industrial process that is expelled into the environment in the form of heat. When recovered in a heat network, it can be used to heat nearby homes, just like central heating, but at district level.  

Near Antwerp, a cooperative network, named Warmte Verzilverd in Flemish, is transforming residual heat from an Agfa-Gevaert factory into residential heating. In this innovative system, cold water returns to the delivery substation via an underground network to be reheated. Not only do the recipients emit zero CO₂, they also benefit from a guaranteed supply at a tariff 50% lower than they would pay for individual installations. 

Actemium Belgium is managing the overall distribution of heat for this innovative project, handling automation, remote dashboards, electrical engineering and panel construction, and commissioning the installation. The ultimate aim of the project is to save around 2,000 tonnes of CO₂ a year, equivalent to driving a car 18.2 million kilometres, or 455 times round the world.