Why do we need to accelerate the energy transition?

Buildings have a significant impact on global greenhouse gas emissions and play a major role in contributing to climate change.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the building sector accounted for 39% of global CO₂ emissions in 2019.

Operational carbon is currently responsibly for the biggest impact of buildings. It refers to the greenhouse gas emissions produced by the energy used to power a building’s systems, including heating, cooling, lighting, and appliances.

To mitigate these emissions, we focus on decreasing the energy consumption and fossil-free energy systems.

While our new builds are already fossil-free, we see a significant opportunity to make a positive impact by renovating older buildings that tend to consume large amounts of energy.

This shift presents technical and economic challenges. We observe an increasing demand for more complex “behind the meter” energy systems.

This refers to energy systems that operate on the customer’s side of the electricity meter, such as on-site generation, storage, and energy management.

We see a trend toward collective systems, higher capital investments, specialized maintenance, and tailored optimization strategies.

Additionally, external factors such as grid congestion and the integration of renewable energy in the energy mix need to be taken into account.

Through our specialized as-a-service approach, we support customers in navigating and implementing these changes effectively.

Energy as a Service

C-energy supports customers in transitioning to green energy and electromobility by investing in the production and charging infrastructure on the customer’s site. Throughout the contract period, C-energy remains the owner of the assets and is responsible for the complete maintenance of the installed energy assets.

The customer pays a transparent energy price for the consumed electrical energy over a period of 15 years. After that period they become the owner of the energy infrastructure.

Our scope covers all aspects of the project: analysis, design, financing, permits, grid study, insurance, construction, maintenance, monitoring, administration, and billing during operation (“Asset Management”).

The following technologies are eligible for an Energy as a Service project:

Photovoltaic solar panels
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure
Batteries
Energy Management System (EMS)

Heat as a Service

C-energy provides you with peace of mind regarding the transition to low-emission heating networks for new construction and total renovation projects.

We achieve this by investing in all systems and installations related to the generation, storage, distribution, and measurement of heat on the customer’s site. A similar concept can be applied to cooling and ventilation.

Throughout the contract duration, C-energy retains ownership of the collective heating installation and substations. Similar to Energy as a Service, we remain responsible for the maintenance of the installed heat assets.

The customer pays a transparent fee for the installation and maintenance and a pre-determined price for the consumed heat over a period of 20 years and becomes owner of the energy infrastructure afterwards.

Possible technologies

Collective heat generation and distribution at low temperature
All forms of geothermal energy
Heat pumps: air-water / air-air
Backup heating installations
Cooling (active and passive) and ventilation
Energy Management System (EMS)

Additionally, we’re active in ESCO projects. An ESCO (Energy Service Company) project aims to make buildings more energy-efficient through large scale renovations, not only of energy systems but also of the building itself. We help reduce energy use, keep comfort levels high, and switch to more sustainable energy sources.

Battery energy storage systems (BESS)

Energy storage will play a vital role in any future-proof energy management strategy. Battery technology can help optimise the use of renewable energy sources by matching our customer’s energy consumption with their energy production.

C-battery’s BESS technology helps their customers tackling various challenges.

Boosting peak power on remote locations

Mobile BESS units provide temporary peak power capacity in remote areas where grid access is limited or insufficient, enabling uninterrupted operations without costly grid upgrades.

Improving the auto-consumption of locally produced renewable energy

BESS allows users to store surplus renewable energy generated onsite (e.g. solar or wind) and use it when production is low, increasing self-consumption and reducing reliance on carbon-intensive grid electricity.

Avoiding grid congestion issues

Grid congestion happens when the electricity network is overloaded and can’t deliver enough power to meet demand. This can prevent companies from getting the energy supply they need for their operations. A BESS helps by storing electricity when the grid is less busy and providing it during peak times, reducing dependence on the grid and improving energy availability.

Reducing energy costs

By storing electricity when prices are low and using it when prices are high, BESS enables users to optimize their energy consumption and lower overall energy expenses.

Balancing the grid

Due to the growing number of electric vehicles and decentralised power generation solutions being used, grid stabilisation is a key energy challenge. Energy storage solutions can aid in balancing energy production and consumption.

Risk mitigation

The production of renewable energy sources can be rather unpredictable. A well-engineered battery storage solution helps to get the most out of renewable energy sources and protects organisations against power spikes and eventual power outages.

Lithium-Ion batteries made in Belgium

Our subsidiary C-battery is an expert in engineering and assembling both mobile and stationary batteries using Lithium-Ion technology.

The main advantages of our Lithium-ion battery are:

Stationary and mobile solutions for indoor and outdoor usage
Small footprint and high energy density
Integrated fire protection
Designed to be environmentally responsible and to minimise waste across their entire lifecycle
Ideal for trading, auto-consumption, peak shaving, backup power

Capacity: from 70 kWh to 3 MWh

Find a video online: https://www.youtube.com/embed/o65U1URT3QE?&controls=1&mute=1

Installing energy-efficient techniques

Buildings are increasingly evolving into smart buildings. As a result, the demand for innovative technical installations is growing immensely.

Thanks to the various companies within the C-tech division, with a strong focus on integrated project management and customized solutions, we are able to meet this need. The companies within the C-tech division design and install the most complex multi-technical installations themselves.

From HVAC and electricity to plumbing and piping, to industrial automation, security systems, energy applications, and maintenance.

The main purpose of a HVAC system is to maintain a healthy indoor air quality through adequate ventilation with filtration whilst providing thermal comfort. However, HVAC systems are among the biggest energy consumers in a building.

To address this, we can implement efficient heating, ventilation and air-conditioning solutions that rely on renewable energy sources and low GWP (‘global warming potential’) air-conditioning systems. These measures can significantly reduce the operational carbon emissions of buildings. For instance, the new Imtech Naninne office building will be equipped with a CO₂-heat pump with a low GWP and low operational costs.

New headquarter CM Hasselt

Modular HVAC systems

The new headquarters of CM features energy-efficient HVAC systems that ensure efficient production of heating and cooling water with 4-pipe heat pumps.

The modular configured ventilation system provides hygienic ventilation with CO₂ control in specific zones such as meeting rooms.

For optimal comfort, climate ceilings are installed in the building and each zone is individually adjustable, allowing for personalized climate settings.

Due to the modular construction, it is possible to register energy consumption per block/floor/zone for both heating/cooling and water usage.

Multifunctional, energy-neutral building

Mobilis Anderlecht

Mobilis by D’Ieteren Immo in Anderlecht combines offices, coworking areas and sports facilities.

For this project, Imtech delivered the HVAC and sanitary systems, centred around a geothermal installation paired with an active activation system for concrete structural slabs.

This system uses the earth’s stable temperature for energy-efficient heating and cooling, while the activated slabs ensure even temperature distribution.

Zonal controls provide flexibility to meet the varying climate needs of offices, fitness areas, and other facilities within the building.

The project achieved a BREEAM Outstanding certification.

hier tekst

Maintenance

Imtech has dedicated maintenance technicians that are responsible for maintaining the technical installations under contract.

Regular maintenance plays a crucial role in promoting energy efficiency, extending the lifespan of equipment, facilitating upgrades and retrofits and curbing emissions. This is particularly important for air-conditioning systems, where leaks can have a significant impact on CO₂-emissions.

C-maintenance employs additional maintenance experts that are responsible for the general maintenance of the projects that we built under a “DBXM” formula. In the contract we committed to not only build, but also maintain the buildings over a defined time span.

Energy hills

Our patented Energy Hills are powerful hydro batteries that function as both energy assets and ecological landmarks.

This concept is highly versatile, suitable for developing open land plots, as well as (re)developing brownfields, (abandoned) industrial sites or historic landfill locations. A water-bound site is preferred to enable waterways for transport, minimising the need for trucking.

How does it work?

We construct a green hill with an altitude of up to 40 metres, with a water basin placed on top of that hill. The interconnected basins – on top of the hill and at the bottom – form a closed circuit to limit the impact on local surface water or groundwater dynamics.

Excessive renewable energy or imbalances on the electricity grid, are used to pump up water and store it in the basin on top of the hill as potential energy. This energy can be converted into hydroelectricity as needed.

The final design of each hill is adapted to fit in with the local fauna and flora, creating an integrated ecological habitat that blends in perfectly with its surroundings.

Currently, we build a pilot project in Temse, set to be finished by the end of 2025.

In May 2025 we received the permit for our energy hill in Zutendaal with a planned capacity of 1 MWh.

Electrification of industrial processes

Sustainable and fast heating technology

MEAM, which stands for ‘Microwave Energy Applications Management’, specialises in developing smart and low-carbon solutions for the electrification of various industrial processes such as heating, drying and pasteurisation. Industrial microwave technology can successfully heat suitable materials directly to the core without transfer losses or the need for heat transport mediums like air or steam.

This microwave technology aligns with our vision of the future, as it allows for the electrification of gas-driven heating processes, making energy transfer more efficient and faster while simultaneously reducing and even eliminating on-site emissions of CO₂, NO₂ and SO₂.

Moreover, the technology offers additional advantages such as the elimination of warm-up time and requiring less floor, making it more cost-effective to implement in terms of OPEX.

Stable energy supply

In 2022, C-energy acquired a stake in MEAM. Through our close partnership with MEAM, we are able to offer solutions that guarantee a dependable energy supply for their microwave installations and provide our clients with essential expertise and guidance during their transition period.

Find a video online: https://reports.cordeel.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/baros2a15_meam_def-1080p-1.mp4

Cordeel Reports

Accelerating the energy transition