Open University partner in Interreg North-West Europe project D2GRIDS - Open Universiteit

null Open University partner in Interreg North-West Europe project D2GRIDS

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Open University partner in Interreg North-West Europe project D2GRIDS

The Department of Science of the Open University (OU) is a partner in D2GRIDS (Demand Driven Grids). This new Interreg North-West Europe project, coordinated by Mijnwater BV in Heerlen, aims to roll out 5th generation heating and cooling networks (5GDHC) throughout Europe. Five pilot sites in Paris-Saclay (FR), Bochum (DLD), Brunssum (NL), Glasgow and Nottingham (UK) will develop the 5GDHC networks. The total project budget is 20.8 million Euro of which 11.6 million Euro is covered by Interreg funds. The OU participates for €400,000 in the project, of which €240,000 is covered by Interreg. The project duration is 3 years. The research project fits perfectly within the years of cooperation between the OU and Mijnwater BV.

The total project budget is 20.8 million Euro of which 11.6 million Euro is covered by Interreg funds. The OU participates for €400,000 in the project, of which €240,000 is covered by Interreg. The project duration is 3 years. The research project fits perfectly within the years of cooperation between the OU and Mijnwater BV.

What is 5GDHC?

Unlike conventional district heating, the thermal smart grid is based on low temperatures. A cluster of decentralised heat pumps, close to the end user location, exchanges heat and cold on the grid and stores temporary surpluses of heat and cold until there is a demand for them. The 5GDHC concept makes it possible, for example, to make large-scale use of low-temperature residual heat from data centres, supermarkets and industry. The aim is to connect approximately 50,000 m2 of homes and/or commercial buildings to a 5GDHC network at the five partner pilot locations.

Contribution from the Open University

The OU coordinates the design of a joint transnational deployment strategy. This defines ambitions and important steps for the sustainability and scaling-up of pilot investments, for the roll-out to new areas and for the involvement of important target groups.
In order to make a broad range and knowledge sharing possible, the Science department develops tailor-made training packages for the sector, professionals and policymakers.

In addition, employees of the department contribute to the assessment of the environmental impact of the implementation of 5GDHC networks.
Dr. Wilfried Ivens is project leader of the Long Term work package within D2GRIDS within the Department of Science. Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Stefan Dekker and PhD candidate Stef Boesten make content contributions to the project.