EnergyVille is a collaboration between the Belgian research partners KU Leuven, VITO, imec and UHasselt in the fields of sustainable energy and intelligent energy systems. EnergyVille develops technology and knowledge to support public and private stakeholders in the transition to an energy efficient, decarbonised and sustainable urban environment. The unique complementarity of the research partners allows us to integrate the energy system value chain in its entirety, ranging from materials and components to the level of entire energy systems, business models and strategies. Our activities are clustered in eight interdisciplinary domains: solar energy, battery storage, power electronics, power-to-molecules, thermal systems, electrical networks, energy for buildings and districts, energy strategies and markets.
With approximately 400 researchers and state-of-the-art research facilities, EnergyVille is a top European innovation hub in the energy field. it bundles research, development and training under one roof and collaborates closely with local, regional, national and international partners from industry as well as public authorities.
As an energy R&D innovation hub, located in the industry-oriented ecosystem of Thor Park (Genk, Belgium), EnergyVille offers an attractive environment for energy research, industrial product development and business creation. The collaboration is supported by the city of Genk, the Province of Limburg, LRM, Nuhma, POM Limburg and the European structural funds.
Vision
The concurrent technology innovation and cost reduction of both ICT and distributed energy resources creates a unique opportunity for the transition towards a fully sustainable energy system. A multi-scale energy system with a strong and often dominating decentralized presence will be characterized by the pre-eminence of electricity as energy vector, strongly coupled with other carriers such as e.g. thermal energy. The deployment of this energy system in a highly complex urban context, ensuring full sustainability, that encompasses security of supply, resilience, affordability and environmental friendliness, will be a crucial cornerstone of our future energy provision.
Mission
EnergyVille is a top research collaboration to outline the trajectory towards a market-based, sustainable energy system for large urban areas. This comprises Basic, Applied and Industry-driven research, both theoretical and experimental. EnergyVille serves the community by developing generic technologies and methodologies resulting in new products and services, by assisting in human capital development, and by providing science-based policy support from local to global level.
Key expertise partners
EnergyVille combines the expertise of four partners (KU Leuven, VITO, imec and UHasselt) and in that way offers specialized knowledge of all parts of the energy system and the integration of all systems together.
KU Leuven
KU Leuven was founded in 1425 and is one of the largest and oldest universities in Europe, with over 60,000 students – 12,500 of whom are international – and 22,000 staff. Every discipline at KU Leuven is ranked at least among the 100 best universities worldwide, with a majority in the top 50. KU Leuven ranks highest amongst European universities in the valorisation of research through IP rights and spin-offs and seventh in the world (Reuters).
Energyville combines the expertise of KU Leuven’s energy departments – Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Building Physics and Sustainable Design – to research energy efficiency, energy generation, market forces, flexibility, advanced control and regulation, and interconnections within networks. Research at Energyville has already made tangible strides in improving:
- Power Electronics
- Smart Grids (AC/DC)
- Building Physics
- Energy Conversion & Thermal Fluid Engineering
imec
Imec is a world leader in research into photovoltaic cell technology. In order to integrate large-scale solar energy into the future energy network, the demand for customized photovoltaic system solutions is growing. To develop, test and implement such solutions, imec bundles its expertise in integrating additional functionalities in the PV module together with the expertise of the other partners. In this way, energy innovation can stimulate economic progress.
- Photovoltaic research
- Solid-state Batteries
- Power Devices
- Energy Yield Prediction
VITO
VITO is a leading international research center. It provides knowledge and technological innovations that facilitate the transition to a more sustainable society. We do this in the field of energy, chemicals, materials, health technology and land use. Working together with the EnergyVille research partners, we develop innovative technologies, methodologies and tools related to the topics below:
- Strategies and Markets
- Buildings and Districts
- Thermal Systems
- Electrical Storage
UHasselt
In four decades, UHasselt has grown into a dynamic center of education, research and services. UHasselt has two campuses (Diepenbeek and Hasselt), six faculties (Architecture and Art, Business Economics, Medicine and Life Sciences, Industrial Engineering, Law, Sciences) and six research institutes (biomedical, statistical and environmental, material research, mobility and digital media). UHasselt has more than 6,000 students and 1,200 employees.
- Materials for Photovoltaic Systems and Batteries
- Thin Film Photovoltaic Research and Reliability Testing
- Battery Research
Corporate governance
EnergyVille attaches great importance to the principles of "good governance" and is convinced these principles will benefit its further development. The governance structures of the EnergyVille Cooperation and the EnergyVille Foundation are aligned and interlinked. EnergyVille is committed to a well thought-out and professional organizational structure, with a clear delineation of powers and responsibilities and with balanced processes of accountability and control. Therefore, EnergyVille wants to make this charter, which is conceived as a manual for balanced and transparent decision-making and representation procedures, accessible to all stakeholders. EnergyVille is committed to continuously review its good governance principles in the light of new developments and the (evolving) needs of stakeholders and societal interest, and to continue to develop and adapt this charter accordingly where necessary. Originating as a Flemish initiative, EnergyVille attaches great importance to a permanent and sustainable Flemish anchoring during each phase of its growth.
Annual report
Every year, EnergyVille publishes an annual report with an overview of the most interesting research highlights. Feel free to browse through the current annual report or take a look at one of the previous editions.