{"id":138200,"date":"2026-10-22T14:20:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T11:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vidzeme.lv\/?p=138200"},"modified":"2026-10-22T14:42:25","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T11:42:25","slug":"how-can-industrial-waste-heat-be-used-in-urban-district-heating-systems-in-vidzeme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vidzeme.lv\/en\/how-can-industrial-waste-heat-be-used-in-urban-district-heating-systems-in-vidzeme\/","title":{"rendered":"How Can Industrial Waste Heat Be Used in Urban District Heating Systems in Vidzeme?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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District heating infrastructure has existed in municipalities across Vidzeme since the Soviet era, but making it more efficient and sustainable is becoming increasingly important. One possibility is to utilise waste heat generated by industrial companies. Waste heat is thermal energy generated during production processes that is not used beneficially. To explore practical solutions and assess their suitability for Vidzeme, representatives from the region took part in a Green4HEAT project study visit to Antwerp, Belgium, in September.<\/p>\n

The visit, which took place on 8\u20139 September 2026, was attended by Laura Dzelzkal\u0113ja<\/strong>, Lead Expert of the Green4HEAT project at Vidzeme Planning Region, and Arita Kr\u016bmi\u0146a<\/strong>, Energy Manager at SIA \u201cVidzeme Hospital\u201d. Together with project partners and stakeholder representatives, they visited several district heating facilities and explored different approaches to utilising waste heat.<\/p><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

Latvian and Belgian Experience \u2013 Different Stages of District Heating Development<\/h3><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

The visit to Antwerp enabled project participants to look at district heating development from a different perspective. Although improving the efficiency of district heating networks and using sustainable heat sources are relevant issues in both countries, their previous experience and stages of infrastructure development differ.<\/p>\n

These differences are especially evident in district heating network planning. Latvia’s experience may be useful to Belgian partners, while projects implemented in Antwerp provide examples of how new heat producers can be integrated into district heating systems and industrial waste heat can be utilised.<\/p><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

\u201cLatvia’s advantage lies in its existing district heating networks and the experience gained in operating them. We know what the actual heat consumption is and what capacities are required. In Belgium, however, where such systems are still being developed, determining the appropriate network capacities is one of the challenges, and the necessary experience is being gained through practice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura Dzelzkal\u0113ja<\/strong>, Green4HEAT Project Expert<\/p><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

Examples from Antwerp \u2013 From Industrial Waste Heat to Residential Heating<\/h3><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

Waste heat generated during Agfa-Gevaert’s<\/em> industrial processes is utilised through the Warmte Verzilverd<\/em> initiative in Mortsel. This project involves cooperation between the company, residents and cooperatives. Once the system is fully developed, the recovered waste heat is expected to be supplied through district heating networks to provide heating for approximately 340 households and four small and medium-sized enterprises.<\/p><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

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At the Indaver<\/em> facility in northern Antwerp, participants learned about recovering heat generated during waste treatment processes and transferring it to the district heating network.<\/p><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]

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Participants also explored residential heating solutions provided by Fluvius<\/em>. These examples enabled participants to compare industrial-scale systems with heat supply to residential buildings and assess opportunities to connect different heat sources.<\/p><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]