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OUR PROJECTS
Be-Hyfe: fundamental expertise on Hydrogen
BE-HyFE is a Belgian academic collaboration project bringing together all Belgian knowledge institutes to join forces in fundamental research on the topic of hydrogen. The goal is to achieve a Belgian hydrogen homebase of academic knowledge and expertise by establishing a core group of 16 broadly trained and highly networked early-stage researchers (ESRs) to support the Belgian industry in finding both technological and societal solutions, guaranteeing security of supply and meeting our environmental targets.
Funded by the federal Energy Transition Fund
https://www.behyfe.be
Labels: Hydrogen, Thermal systems
Reformers
The REFORMERS project focuses on the development, realization and roll-out of Renewable Energy Valleys (REV). It will demonstrate that with technologies today, it is possible to transform local energy systems towards systems that are able to meet their communities’ energy needs on an annual basis through local sourcing, and thereby eliminating dependence on fossil fuels for the security of energy supply.
Horizon Europe project
https://reformers-energyvalleys.eu/
Labels: Multi-energy grids, Integrated system design, Stakeholder engagement, Renewable energy generation, Energy storage systems
Renaissance
RENAISSANCE delivers a community-driven scalable and replicable approach, to implement new business models and technologies supporting clean production and shared distribution of energy in local communities. Within the project the ReEnergise tool was developed, which helped identifying the optimal configuration for an integrated and decarbonised Local Energy System (LES). The RENAISSANCE approach has been tested in sites on 4 continents, to demonstrate its scalability and replicability.
European Horizon 2020 project
https://www.renaissance-h2020.eu
Labels: Multi-energy grids, Integrated system design, Stakeholder engagement, Renewable energy generation
InterConnect
InterConnect brought together 50 European entities to develop and showcase advanced solutions for digitizing homes, buildings, and electric grids using an Internet of Things (IoT) architecture. By establishing seven interconnected large-scale test sites across Portugal, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Greece, and France, the project laid the foundation for the future of smart energy management.
European Horizon 2020 project
https://interconnectproject.eu
Labels: Integrated system design & optimization, Energy demand & supply forecasting, Multi-energy grids
WIMBY
WIMBY is a project supporting the adoption and acceptance of wind power in the European Union. Innovative tools are developed to facilitate citizen and stakeholder interaction, knowledge sharing, and collaborative evaluation of impacts, conflicts, synergies and social innovation potential.
The main objective is to mitigate the “Not in my backyard” (NIMBY) effect by providing practical information that all stakeholders and citizens can use for simple and comprehensible assessments, aimed at creating a common ground for participatory decision-making processes.
European Horizon 2020 project
Labels: Renewable energy generation, Stakeholder engagement
CAPTIN-2
The CAPTIN project seeks to overcome technological limitations in Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies by intensifying CO2 capture processes. The project proposes a multi-angled approach, focusing on adsorption and absorption, allowing industries to successfully reduce CO2 emissions at point sources. CAPTIN-2 tackles the encountered challenges using the experimental test devices and models developed in the initial project while also carrying out a roadmap analysis to identify technical, economic, environmental and market-related hurdles.
Flemish ESI project
https://www.moonshotflanders.be/en/projects/captin
Labels: Carbon capture, Electrification, TVSA process
Biogas-MAMBO
Biogas-MAMBO focuses on the valorization of biogas through production of microbial protein as feed (short-term goal) and food (long-term goal). The project develops innovative microbial chain elongation technologies to convert organic waste into high-value biochemicals and biofuels, enhancing the efficiency of biogas production. By optimizing fermentation processes and integrating them with anaerobic digestion, the project aims to create sustainable solutions for waste valorization while reducing environmental impact.
Flemish FWO-SBO project
Labels : biogas upgrading, hybrid membrane-adsorption technology, vacuum pressure swing adsorption, techno-economic analysis
InToWall
Within this project, a unique radar technology has been developed to digitally measure information related to the composition of a building's walls and thus gain more insight into renovation needs. This innovative radar system is an important link for renovation and water leak detection.
Funded by the province of Flemish-Brabant
https://www.smarthubvlaamsbrabant.be/projecten/intowall
Labels: Multi-modal sensor systems, transient radar, sustainable renovations
ENACT
Horizon Europe project
https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101157151
ENACT aims to create clinical, technological, and economic impact by developing an advanced environmental risk assessment platform. This state-of-the-art tool predicts, monitors, and prevents the exposomic risks of acute and chronic vascular and non-vascular non-communicable diseases (NCDs). It supports patients, health professionals, and policymakers by enabling better disease prevention, management, and policy decisions. By considering individual vulnerability factors, ENACT helps reduce the human and financial burden of NCDs while strengthening both clinical care and policy implementation to improve quality of life.
Horizon Europe project
https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101157151
Labels: multi-modal sensor systems, machine learning
PHOENIX
The PHOENIX project aims to develop advanced, sustainable batteries by integrating self-healing, sensing, and triggering functionalities, along with an enhanced Battery Management System (BMS), to detect and repair degradation, thereby doubling battery lifespan from 250 to 500 charging cycles. This initiative addresses the growing demand for reliable and eco-friendly batteries in sectors like electric mobility and energy storage, focusing on safety, durability, cost reduction, and environmental sustainability.
Horizon Europe project
https://phoenix-smartbatteries.eu/
Labels: smart batteries, self-healing, sensors
Reconstruct
Reconstruct aims to develop circular, eco-friendly, and innovative solutions to reduce emissions from the construction industry, by sourcing local alternatives to conventional steel and cement, applying reclaimed components and implementing design for disassembly and reuse.
European Horizon 2022 project
https://reconstruct-project.eu/
Labels: Circular & sustainable materials
Current Direct
Current Direct addresses EU waterborne transport emission challenges by developing and demonstrating an innovative, interchangeable waterborne transport battery system and an Energy as a Service (EaaS) Platform in an operational environment in the Port of Amsterdam. The project will consider its integration across a range of different vessel types used in the coastal and inland waterway transport industry, including short to medium range freight and ferry services.
European Horizon 2020 project
Labels: Electric mobility, Energy storage systems, Circular & sustainable materials
LifeSBatt
The innovative scientific objective of LifeSBat is to develop an experimental/modelling platform for composite cathode materials to enable faster design of new systems and predict their long-term performance and ageing in a dynamic charge/discharge cycle. The model will describe the behaviour of the interfaces in porous composite cathode materials over the lifetime of the material as a function of ageing and will also describe the impact of the process parameters on the microstructure of the materials.
SBO project funded by FWO and VLAIO
https://researchportal.vub.be/nl/projects/sbo-project-lifesbat
Labels: Circular & sustainable materials
Concrete to high performance concrete (B2B)
Concrete production has a significant environmental impact due to its energy-intensive process, high CO₂ emissions, and the substantial amounts of construction and demolition waste it generates. This project looks at concrete recycling and the potential of microwaves for pre-treatment of mineral residues. Research is also being conducted into alternative and high-performance concrete applications, including using fabrics instead of steel to reinforce concrete.
Interreg project
https://interregvlaned.eu/beton-naar-hoogwaardig-beton/
Labels: Circular & sustainable materials, Concrete
OPTIMESH
OPTIMESH supports the thermal grid industry with an innovative approach to planning, designing, and managing modern district heating and cooling networks, aimed at optimizing key performance indicators in a multi-energy context. It also develops next-generation technologies such as AI-based multi-agent systems for energy trading between prosumers, digital twins of buildings and substations, and advanced tools for validating and verifying grid performance.
ICON project funded by VLAIO
https://brite-research.be/optimized-thermal-prosumer-integration-in-a-multi-energy-system-optimesh
Labels: District heating and cooling, prosumers, thermal grid, P2P
ROAMI
The ROAMI project focuses on acquiring a four-channel 110 GHz real-time oscilloscope to support advanced research in wireless and optical communications, particularly for next-generation technologies like 6G. This high-frequency instrument will facilitate studies across various domains, including engineering physics, device modelling, integrated circuit design, and the characterization of antennas and communication channels. The project is a collaborative effort among researchers from KU Leuven, UGent, VUB, and IMEC, aiming to enhance Flemish measurement infrastructures.
Funded by FWO-Flanders
Labels: high frequency measurement, oscilloscope, 6G
OPTIBIDS
The project OPTIBIDS (Optimized Bidirectional & Smart Vehicle Charging in Local Energy Systems) developed intelligent, bidirectional charging strategies and DC-based infrastructure to enable electric vehicles to both draw power from and feed power back into the grid. The project also explored user behavior and preferences to ensure that smart charging solutions align with real-world needs and enhance local grid flexibility.
ICON project funded by VLAIO
Labels: bidirectional charging, grid flexibility, user behaviour
CLEVER
The CLEVER project focuses on advancing intelligent electric vehicle (EV) charging by integrating smart charging strategies with second-life EV batteries for stationary energy storage. This approach aims to enhance grid stability and sustainability by enabling EVs to both draw power from and supply power back to the grid, optimizing energy use and supporting renewable energy integration.
Joint project with startup Octave, funded by Innoviris
Labels: bidirectional charging, grid flexibility, user behaviour
Hercules MZW equipment: GHz-THz VNA measurement infrastructure
In this project two advanced vector network analyzers (VNAs), one tabletop and one portable, were acquired to enhance research capabilities in the 10 GHz to 750 GHz frequency range. These instruments can support multidisciplinary studies in areas such as terahertz technology, textile-reinforced composite materials, microfluidic systems, and fundamental material sciences.
Funded by FWO-Flanders
Labels: advanced sensor solutions, vector network analyzers
Multi-modal sensing for TRC
This project focused on the development of non-invasive quality control methods for textile-reinforced cementitious (TRC) composites using millimeter wave (MMW) electromagnetic techniques. It combines MMW with other non-destructive evaluation methods, such as acoustic emission, ultrasound, digital image correlation, and infrared imaging, to monitor TRC composites throughout their lifecycle, from manufacturing to deterioration during use.
Funded by FWO-Flanders
Labels: textile-reinforced cementitious composites, multi-modal sensing, quality control
Citizens4PED
The Citizens4PED project aims at contributing to the development of Positive Energy Districts (PED) in four existing neighbourhoods in Belgium, Austria and Italy, by intertwining several dimensions: techno-energetic, socio-economic, and institutional/policy.
To this purpose, it leverages enabling mechanisms along each dimension: exergy-based techno-economic models of local energy systems, renewable energy communities, and just transition scenarios and action plans.
JPI Urban Europe project, with the support of Innoviris
Labels: positive energy districts
FLEX-CHP
The FLEX-CHP project explores how biomass- and waste-fired Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants can enhance Belgium's energy supply security and grid stability. By integrating energy storage systems and advanced control algorithms, the project aims to decouple heat and power production, enabling these plants to provide flexible services to the electricity grid
Funded by Belgian federal Energy Transition Funds (ETF)
https://brite-research.be/flex-chp
Labels: CHP, biomass
H2GridTwin
The H2GridTwin project aims to develop a digital twin for a future hydrogen-to-grid living lab. The digital twin will allow for advanced control strategies and optimal operation of the whole system to maximise the local consumption of green energy.
Funded by Belgian federal Energy Transition Funds (ETF)
https://brite-research.be/h2gridtwin
Labels: hydrogen, digital twin
CIREC
The CIREC project investigates uncertainties in international material flows—such as those involving natural gas, biomass, and critical minerals for renewable technologies—that impact the security of electricity supply. By integrating circular economy principles into long-term energy system models, it aims to enhance resilience and sustainability in the energy transition
Funded by Belgian federal Energy Transition Funds (ETF)
Labels: security of electricity supply, biomass
NEMO
The NEMO (NExt-generation MOdels for advanced battery electronics) project aims to enhance battery management systems (BMS) by developing advanced models and state estimation techniques, leading to longer-lasting, safer, and more efficient batteries. This initiative focuses on improving the performance of lithium-ion batteries, particularly for applications in electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
Horizon Europe project
Labels: advanced battery management systems, lithium-ion batteries
BATMACHINE
The BATMACHINE project focuses on developing innovative battery testing and manufacturing technologies, aiming to improve the efficiency and sustainability of battery systems. It works on creating new solutions for scaling up battery production and testing, reducing costs, and enhancing the performance of energy storage systems for clean energy applications.
Horizon Europe project
Labels: digitalisation, efficient battery production