Unique district heating network (CollecThor) officially up and running at Thor Park
CollecThor: The district heating network of the future to be found in Genk
Genk, 15 May 2025 – Today – under the watchful eye of the Mayor of Genk, Wim Dries and with the official coupling of Thor Central – an innovative thermal network, CollecThor, was officially inaugurated at Thor Park in Genk. This collective thermal network will sustainably provide heating and cooling to the various buildings on-site – both existing and to-be-built. It is one of the first networks of its kind in Belgium and is unique because it is part of a multi-energy system. Moreover, the network is modular, allowing rapid expansion and scaling, making it an important milestone for future-oriented energy supply in urban contexts.
Heating and cooling are important energy carriers in the quest for a more sustainable energy system. In addition to the electrification of our energy system – with applications such as heat pumps and electric vehicles – there is also a need for smart solutions that enable collective storage and exchange of thermal energy. CollecThor responds to this with a modular and low-temperature district heating network that efficiently optimizes heating and cooling across multiple buildings.
CollecThor, innovative heat and cold exchange ...
In a first phase, CollecThor connects existing buildings (THOREAQ, Thor Central, IncubaThor, EnergyVille 1 and 2) and seven future building plots to the network. The buildings of EnergyVille, IncubaThor, and THOREAQ have been connected earlier this year. Thor Central – the iconic, central mining building – follows today, exactly 101 years after the start of coal mining on this historic site.
The aim is to heat and cool the buildings sustainably, while maximising the exchange of residual heat and cold between the buildings. For example, waste heat from one building can be used to meet the energy needs of another. Storage is also provided underground, at depths of 65 metres or more, via ‘aquifers’. This allows surplus heat or cold to be temporarily stored for later reuse.
The modular nature of CollecThor makes it a “living” thermal network. It allows for future expansion and upgrades, unlike the standard district heating networks currently being deployed in Flanders.
The thermal network will also stand out in another way: it will be equipped with a smart control and management system. This system will provide the heat supplier with full insight into the energy chain – from heat and cold production to distribution across the network, and final consumption in individual buildings.
CollecThor is also an intelligent thermal network. The collective character is essential: instead of heating each home or building individually, this is done collectively and in an optimized way. The thermal network functions as a shared source for the heat pumps located in the individual buildings. This makes the system extremely suitable for urban environments where space is limited. The smart control system also provides real-time insight into production, distribution and consumption, thus enabling local optimization.
... in a unique test environment for energy applications ...
This kind of research fits perfectly into the function of the Open Thor Living Lab. “We are looking for a systems approach that integrates both electrical and thermal energy sources,” says Gerrit Jan Schaeffer, CEO of EnergyVille. “Through an intelligent control system, we map the local and sustainably generated energy (both thermal and electrical) and make the best possible use of it locally. Our goal is to avoid energy surpluses in electricity, heat, and cold as much as possible or, where unavoidable, to recover, store, and exchange them between different sites, buildings, and users. This way, we create a unique and ‘living’ test environment, with real users, where many innovations will be tested and refined by researchers and industry players in the coming years.”
... With benefits for businesses at Thor Park
For companies already established at Thor Park – and for potential newcomers – CollecThor offers a tangible advantage: a sustainable and cost-effective solution for heating and cooling. Thanks to the shared network and the exchange of residual heat, energy consumption is significantly reduced. With CollecThor we are taking a big step towards carbon neutrality, but at the same time we are creating a competitive advantage for the companies on our site,’ says Filip Vercauteren, Director of Thor Park. “They can rely on an innovative energy supply that is not only greener but also more economically viable. That makes Thor Park even more attractive as a business location.”
Joining forces
The modular thermal grid, designed by VITO within EnergyVille, is a valuable addition to the expansion of Thor Park. “We are happy and proud to have completed the first part of this thermal grid today,” says Bert Gysen, Research Director at VITO and COO at EnergyVille. ‘There are still many steps to be taken to make neighbourhoods more sustainable. I am convinced that collective solutions will play a major role in this, and that CollecThor will set an example for the future sustainability of our cities and towns.”
This project has the support of many partners. For instance, the project was initiated in response to a call for green heat from the Flemish Energy and Climate Agency. Fluvius will be responsible for the construction and operation of the thermal grid itself. Tethys will be responsible for the construction and operation of the geothermal system and delivery to each building.
Guy Cosijns, Director Customer Service & Data Management Fluvius: “With CollecThor, we as a heating network operator are taking an important step towards the future of energy in Flanders. This heating network at Thor Park shows how innovative technology, local cooperation and sustainable sources such as shallow geothermal energy go hand in hand. Thanks to the modular and smart nature of this network, we can respond flexibly to the needs of today and tomorrow. For Fluvius, this project is an example of how we work together to build energy-efficient solutions towards a climate-neutral society.”
Jona Michiels, Business Development Manager at Tethys: “CollecThor is a great example of the feasibility of heating networks in Flanders. Thanks to our integrated approach – from design to operation – Tethys, together with sister company IFTech, guarantees a reliable and sustainable supply of thermal energy to the various buildings at Thor Park. The use of shallow geothermal energy combined with smart energy management proves that sustainable energy systems and economic feasibility go perfectly hand in hand.”
Wim Dries, Mayor of Genk, said: ‘With CollecThor, we in Genk are taking another significant step forward in our transition to becoming a sustainable, forward-looking city. Thor Park demonstrates how smart cooperation, technological innovation and a commitment to sustainability can work together through this innovative thermal network. We are proud that this unique system is being realised here in Genk, setting the tone for urban energy supply.”
In September, we will also put CollecThor in the international spotlight during the IEA DHC Symposium at Thor Park, where participants can discover CollecThor and the Open Thor Living Lab up close.