The first design session of the living lab marks a significant step towards the transformation of the Muide-Meulestede neighborhood into a fossil-free district.
During the design dession on December 5, 2023 the consortium partners of the Living Lab Muide-Meulestede Fossil Free had the opportunity to meet for the first time. The meeting represented a chance for the consortium partners to collaborate and address the different challenges within the living lab.
During the first part of the design session, the focus was on refining the hypothesis, the mission and objectives of the Living Lab. Work packages and roles within the consortium were also defined, translating agreements between the various partners into an action plan with 8 work programs.
In the second part of the design session, the focus was on one of the three pivotal pilot projects. In particular, discussions centered around technical and financial challenges and solution strategies related to the construction of a neighborhood heating network in the existing built environment around the FC Standaard Muide football field.
– One of the major challenges identified was the need to connect enough homes to the heating network at the same time. In the first phase, heat at a higher temperature will be offered so that homes that are not yet thoroughly insulated can also be connected. Afterwards, there will be a temperature decrease that will result in the connection of additional homes to the heating network.
– Overcoming the challenge of recouping investments in a neighborhood heating network and enhancing the sustainability of connected homes through heat sales is a complex task.
After this discussion of the Standaard Muide case, the consortium gained better view of the breakthroughs that will be tested within the Living Lab. The case of Standaard Muide football field will be used as a model that can be replicated across the city.
