TNO starts project ABLE: development of small-scale heat networks on business parks

Accelerating heat network development

Companies on business parks face the challenge of improving sustainability of their heating demand without compromising their operations. The ABLE project aims to accelerate the development of small-scale expandable heat networks that are easy and quick to implement. Development in conjunction with the electricity system ensures that grid congestion is alleviated.

By identifying opportunities and removing barriers on technical-economic and organisational levels, ABLE helps businesses take sustainable steps. This project contributes to a future-proof energy system on business parks, efficiently addressing heat exchange and grid congestion.

Working together on a new concept

TNO, as the lead partner, collaborates with partners including QING Sustainable, Transitiemakers, and Groendus to develop and test a concept for small-scale expandable heat networks on three business parks: Bunschoten, Zaltbommel, and Veenendaal. In the project, TNO develops technical-economic and organizational tools, which come together in an online development package for businesses, area managers, and energy advisors.

Removing barriers and strengthening the business case

In ABLE, we develop a concept for small-scale expandable heat networks, including a development package that helps businesses from initiation to operation. This package offers tools and insights to remove barriers and improve the business case, resulting in faster decision-making and lower process costs. We aim to create a flywheel effect for heat-exchange and accelerate the heating transition on business parks.

Partners

This project is carried out in the Netherlands, with pilots taking place in Bunschoten, Zaltbommel, and Veenendaal. The project partners are spread across different regions.

This project is executed by lead partner TNO with project partners Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Greenvis, Transitiemakers, QING Sustainable, Syntraal, To Realize Concepts (2RC), Energy Freedom, Groendus, ROM Utrecht, Voestalpine, Baas Coldstore, Cooperative Sustainable Business Parks Zaltbommel, Business Circle Entrepreneurial Veenendaal and the province of Utrecht.

The Netherlands takes steps towards sustainable business parks

With ABLE, the Netherlands takes an important step towards the sustainability of business parks and the realization of a climate-neutral future. The project is carried out with funding from the Topsector Energy of the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth.

Interested in collaborating?

Are you also interested in the future of heat networks and other sustainable energy solutions for business parks? Contact us to discover how you can participate in our projects and initiatives. Together, we can turn insights into concrete actions.