The research project “REFORMERS: Regional Ecosystems FOR Multiple-Energy Resilient Systems” launches its activities in November 2023
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The REFORMERS’ project goal is to diversify renewable energy supplies and maximise efficiency. By ramping up green energy production through the combination of consolidated technological solutions with the most innovative energy management systems, the Energy Valley shall be able to cover more than 100% of its energy demand through local renewable energy production and reach 75% of self-consumption through demand side management REFORMERS by the end of the project. Finally, this should lead to lower energy costs for end customers, compared to current and forecasted market prices.
The REFORMERS’ research team will develop, test, and exploit a toolbox and a digital twin to identify the best solutions and constantly improve towards self-sustaining Energy Valleys. The ambition is to completely replace fossil fuel use from residential customers by delivering heat produced from bio-waste and heat recovery. Together with green-hydrogen, wind, solar and bio-waste energy production, the project will help hit Alkmaar’s 100% renewable energy target by 2050. The developments within the Dutch Flagship Valley will be meticulously followed by six satellite valleys spread around Europe. These valleys will take advantage of the lessons learned and replicate successful strategies to create their own Renewable Energy Valley and contribute altogether to the #REPowerEU goals.
Project Coordinator – Prof. Thierry Coosemans (Vrije Universiteit Brussel – Electromobility Research Centre)
By endeavoring to develop self-sustaining carbon carbon-neutral energy valleys the
REFORMERS project will provide an essential cornerstone for the realization of RepowerEU
targets. Not only will the project foster Europe’s independence on fossil fuel imports, but
moreover it will offer solutions and tools that strongly support the targets on the reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions projected in the EU’s Green Deal. The VUB is proud to be the
coordinator of such an ambitious project involving a strong and motivated consortium of
frontrunners in so much needed energy transition.
Flagship Valley Coordinator - Joep Sanderink (New Energy Coalition)
As a project manager at New Energy Coalition, I have had the opportunity to get acquainted
with several European funded Positive Energy Districts and Hydrogen Valley projects. What
makes REFORMERS special is its focus on the integration and optimization of multiple
renewable energy carriers over the entire chain of (renewable) energy generation, storage,
conversion, distribution and end-usage. New Energy Coalition is proud and honored to
contribute to the development, realization and replication of Europe’s first Renewable
Energy Valleys.
The Horizon Europe funded project “REFORMERS – Renewable Energy Valleys” is an Innovation Action, co-funded by the Swiss Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), started in 2023. REFORMERS will be running until 2028, coordinated by Professor Thierry Coosemans from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and NEC - New Energy Coalition, the Flagship Valley Coordinator. The research team will combine and integrate existing technologies for the generation, storage, and distribution of renewable energy, such as renewable electricity and green hydrogen, with the support of novel algorithms and a digital twin.
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