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Cities and municipalities are at the forefront of the energy transition. Decarbonising the heating and cooling sectors presents one of the biggest challenges and opportunities for local communities in the coming years. The recently revised Energy Efficiency Directive establishes the obligation for m...

In this first episode of the WaterWarmth podcasts, host Lesya Logvynenko is joined by Lenn Coussement from Extraqt and Lars Zwaaneveldt, a Dutch policymaker, to uncover the potential of aquathermal systems. From technical feasibility to policy roadblocks, they explore whether this emerging solution...

Citizen Meeting Recap: Waterwarmth Project in Fjelsted - More than just a sandwich meeting. On February 18, 2025, citizens of Fjelsted gathered at the Common House for an important meeting about the Waterwarmth project—where the appeal went beyond just the sandwiches. The community's keen interest w...

Een Warmtenet voor Balk: Eigen Regie en Duurzame Toekomst “Wat ze in Heeg kunnen, kunnen wij ook!”Zo begon het drie jaar geleden, vertelt Goffe Venema, projectleider van Eigen Warmte Balk. In het project werkt hij samen met een klein, gedreven team aan een duurzaam warmtenet voor de kern van het dor...

The municipal council of gemeente De Fryske Marren has taken a significant step toward a sustainable future by deciding to actively support district heating networks and, in some cases, co-initiate their development. The council resolved to shift its approach from a “responsive government” to a “leg...

Insights, Inspiration, and Critical Questions On Tuesday, November 27, TU Delft and the Province of Fryslân hosted an engaging seminar on aquathermal energy. With a diverse audience – ranging from municipalities and water boards to citizen initiatives and cooperatives – the event focused on sharing...

From a lake surrounding a 600-year-old castle to rivers flowing near brand-new buildings, heat pumps are harnessing the power of water for clean energy.  Last week, a webinar explored how aquathermal energy (AE) is transforming heating and cooling in the North Sea region.  Hosted by the Eu...

On the 8th of October, we held our policy session during the European Week of Regions and Cities in Bussels. Fruitful discussions were had about how local and regional authorities can empower and work together with energy communities to further the energy transition. In this fully booked session, ou...