In the period February - September 2019, study bureau 3E together with PwC, commissioned by PIO and the Province of Antwerp, checked the proposed energy transition of the Zilvermeer site against the current technological supply, in particular the potentially relevant green heat technologies. These technologies were techno-economically screened for their applicability within the concrete context of the site.

Ultimately, 2 scenarios were retained. The preferred scenario can be characterised as a collective concept, consisting of the construction of a heat network on the site to nearby industry where sufficient residual heat is available to fully cover the heat demand of the site and consequently realise the envisaged transition. The second scenario describes a concept with mainly individual installations per building, consisting of the combination of 2 types of water-water heat pumps. The first type of heat pump draws energy from the water in the sand pits, while the second type draws energy from geothermal drilling. The heat pumps are installed per building or per cluster of buildings and function in addition to each other.

The provincial government will now consider further whether one of these paths will be developed, taking into account the available investment budgets and the multi-year plan for the further development of the Zilvermeer site.

The final report of the preparatory process can be found at the bottom of the page under documents.