With this pilot project, Ecopower is investing in heat networks based on collective heat plants on wood pellets, in order to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy._x000D_ Many cities and municipalities want to stop their greenhouse gas emissions and are researching city-wide heat network infrastructures that, among other things, bring residual heat to the city centre on a large scale. However, the realisation of such heat networks is a long-term task and requires a huge investment in the short term. In addition, the profitability strongly depends on being able to connect heat customers quickly. By already building out pieces of these heat networks and providing them with a heat source, Ecopower creates subsectors and therefore also immediately the necessary heat reduction._x000D_ In addition, this strategy makes it possible to let large customers move away from natural gas (and fuel oil) in the short term. The 2022 energy crisis completely undermined the planned role of natural gas as an energy source in the sustainable energy transition and reinforced the demand to switch to sustainable heat._x000D_ Important in this strategy is the choice of sustainable wood pellets as a source. After all, the sustainability of this fuel depends on the production process, the raw material and the length of the chain. To take control of these elements, Ecopower invested in its own pellet factory, which also runs on renewable heat and electricity. The origin of the raw materials is limited to a radius of 150 km around the plant and there is also strict control of sustainable forest management._x000D_ The use of the sustainable wood pellets in collective heat plants also makes it possible to achieve the most efficient combustion and energy supply with a high efficiency and low emissions as a result. The installation consists of one or more containers that are fully equipped as a heat source and distribution centre for heat, with storage of wood pellets integrated or external. The emissions from these heat plants – in particular in terms of particulate matter – comply with current, high standards. In addition, there is an annual measurement obligation whereby the emission limits for particulate matter from installations in operation are closely monitored._x000D_ This is a well-known technology that is already being applied in Belgium. The use of these collective heat plants means that the development and realization of heat networks can start for the heat supply to existing buildings in cities and municipalities. This is a stepping stone towards planned larger, city-wide heat networks using industrial waste heat or other sustainable sources. Enabling a proven technology in this way is exactly the innovation of this approach._x000D_ Important to achieve the goal of this project is the focus on the transition character. The realisations of the heat networks at collective heat plants are intended to enable and accelerate the transition to the comprehensive heat network infrastructure. For this reason, the heat plants are worked out mobile, so that after connecting the large heat network (or other renewable energy sources) they are moved and deployed to a new location._x000D_