5 minute read
In Conversation Kristof Vanfleteren, Jeroen Rabaey and Tinne Van der Straeten
The new normal
As buildings are subject to increasingly stringent energy requirements, the real estate world is facing considerable challenges.
The sustainability challenges for 2050
The new Flemish energy targets require every building to have an energy label A by 2050. This presents significant challenges for homeowners and real estate developers. But how do we achieve sustainable construction? This is what we ask Kristof Vanfleteren, CEO of ION, Jeroen Rabaey, co-founder of Noven, and Tinne Van der Straeten, Federal Minister for Energy. — What can the construction industry do
to build more sustainably?
Kristof: “People mainly think of the technical measures when they consider sustainable construction. Here at ION, we have been thinking especially about how we can be sustainable as an organization. We have defined three sustainability pillars around this: impact building, total cost of living, and communicate as one. These pillars are now part of our DNA. We also use the District Sustainability Meter, a tool provided by the Flemish government that allows us to measure how well we score compared to the legal framework and other companies. So, we are mindful of the technical measures but are also constantly thinking about how to implement sustainability in each new construction project.”
From left to right: Jeroen Rabaey (co-CEO and co-founder of Noven), Tinne Van der Straeten (Federal Minister for Energy) and Kristof Vanfleteren (CEO and co-founder).
— Kristof Vanfleteren
— Are you noticing any changes from
conventional to renewable energy in practice?
Jeroen: “For new construction projects, we are witnessing a clear evolution from gas and heating oil to either residual heat or geothermal energy. In this process, we extract energy from the ground and convert it to cold air with a heat pump. It is both a sustainable and climate-friendly solution to prevent overheating. In fact, we see these and other sustainable solutions gaining more ground and also a trend from ‘nice to have’ to ‘must have’.”
Expectations
— Sustainability and climate-friendliness
involve many challenges. What do you expect from the developers?
Tinne: “A lot of passion and expertise. Belgium has many old buildings, and making them all meet the European climate objectives would require about eleven home renovations per hour. An emerging trend in new projects is for neighborhoods to collaborate to provide smart energy solutions. So, the government has a massive challenge in ensuring that the framework and rules are clear.”
— And what does the construction
industry expect from the government?
Kristof: “We are working on various initiatives that involve engagement with privatized energy installations and buildings. There is no legal framework for this at present, and this sometimes puts people off.”
Jeroen Rabaey
Co-founder and co-CEO of Noven. This Ghent-based start-up specializes in developing and financing energy solutions that allows buildings to reduce their carbon footprint and energy bills.
Collaboration is key
— Living and building sustainably
also have an impact on our heating technologies. Can the existing structures and systems accommodate this evolution?
Jeroen: “The power grid is under increasing pressure. That’s why it is essential to make the right technological choices. When we decide to use heat pumps, we should remember that they use the electric grid, which is already overloaded. We believe that everything should be connected and managed centrally. We believe this is where there is a crucial role for Energy Service Companies, which have a responsibility for the efficiency and proper operation of those facilities.” — Of course, proper coordination is
essential, especially regarding energy. What are your views as the Minister of Energy?
Tinne: “Smart management of energy is critical, and we must indeed regulate that at a higher level. Our people are engaged in increasing the intelligence and flexibility in grid management. I expect to finalize and present some amendments to the Electricity Act before parliament this year. These include a changeover from ‘electricity and gas’ to ‘heating’ as the reduced rate currently only applies to the use of electricity or gas. There should also be a broader debate on a tax reform that would promote renewable energy and put a heavier tax burden on polluting energy.” Jeroen: “Let’s not forget the installation costs either! If we want to provide affordable and sustainable heating for social housing, we have to subsidize it as a private company. That would not be a long-term solution, and this is where the government needs to use tools to close that gap.”
Tinne: “We need more collaboration if we want the energy transition to succeed. We have already reduced the VAT rate for home renovation to 6 percent to give that sector a boost and create jobs.”
— Tinne Van der Straeten
'We see a trend from ‘nice to have’ to ‘must have’.
— Jeroen Rabaey
The challenge
— How can we make sustainable
construction feasible?
Kristof: “Although our buyers are prepared to make additional investments to ensure sustainable construction, we also feel that it’s essential to contain the associated costs.”
Jeroen: “When it comes to new construction, people are in favor of renewable energy, but we come up against low gas prices and the fact that we still have to buy electricity. The same is true in the renovation sector. Tax reform is essential to give these projects the necessary room. At present, it is not possible to recover the investment of a heat pump because you spend more and the cost of consumption does not decrease much, if at all.”
— There clearly is a will. But when will the
government make a move to find a way?
Tinne: “The Electricity Law will be amended before the end of this year to include digitalization and the reduced rate. We are also considering ways to meet the targets for Fit for 55, the European Commission’s initiative in which the target is to reduce carbon emissions by 55% across all sectors by 2030.”
Kristof: “As entrepreneurs, we must keep exploring how we can make a difference. Some of our concrete projects are much further along than people think. For instance, we are already extracting heat from wastewater. We have two employees at ION who are dedicated solely to sustainable innovations.”
