This project in photos!
The Hasselt demonstration site in Belgium is a perfect example of this approach. It demonstrates how positive energy solutions can be applied in a maritime climate influenced by the Atlantic and the North Sea. The site is part of a larger residential complex for social housing, comprising 68 apartments on a 2.7-hectare site.
The EXCESS project in Hasselt comprises four buildings, including 20 apartments, ranging from single-family homes to family apartments. An innovative central energy production system, located underground, provides not only energy but also storage space for residents.
At the heart of the project are 84 Dualsun PVT hybrid panels, which play a key role in producing both electricity and renewable heat. Installed on the roof, these panels are complemented by a small wind turbine, contributing to a significant proportion of the site’s energy needs.
Central heating systems are optimized for better integration of renewable energy sources than traditional systems. Geothermal heat pumps supply the heat required for heating and domestic hot water, distributed via a district heating network. Each apartment is equipped with an intelligent substation that extracts precisely the amount of thermal energy required.
The entire installation is managed by a central energy management system (BEMS), which optimizes and synchronizes energy production and demand to maximize site efficiency.
“Together with the VITO research center, Dualsun was involved in the realization of this positive-energy social housing project, linked by a local heating network. As part of the European EXCESS project, this installation is undeniably a pioneering example of local energy serving to reduce the energy bills of precarious populations, but it’s also a source of pride to have contributed to the technical success of this social impact project, and to be able to extend the benefits of solar energy to those most affected by the volatility of energy prices”.
Laetitia Brottier, co-founder and project manager
