On February 7th, the local partners of oPEN Living Lab Genk gathered to share insights and milestones of 2022, and look forward to the main challenges ahead for 2023. The event was attended by 30 people from 12 different partners who came together to discuss a range of topics related to sustainable living.
The day kicked off with a welcome speech at 10:00, followed by a presentation on communication and interaction with residents. Attendees were given an overview of the various initiatives that had taken place over the past year, highlighting the importance of engaging with the local community.
Next, the group delved into the technical side of sustainability, with presentations on building envelope renovation and technical installations. These included an explanation of the preliminary design, the design of prefabricated facade elements and LCA analysis, as well as an overview of the selection of techniques and design of renewable energy.
After a sandwich lunch, the group participated in an interactive, collective exercise on reflexive monitoring, which involved a review of previous realizations. The exercise was designed to encourage reflection and discussion on the progress made so far.
The afternoon sessions focused on plans for 2023, including an overview of the Positive Energy Neighbourhood (PEN) and simulation platform “digital energy twin.” Attendees were also given an explanation of pre-renovation monitoring and the post-renovation monitoring setup, as well as a presentation on the trajectory with private owners and link to the heritage framework for Waterschei.
Finally, the group discussed plans for the collective neighborhood infrastructure, including the approach for co-creation and technical design, and plans for developing business models – including ESCO models for owners and tenants – and energy sharing.
The event wrapped up with a Q&A session, providing an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and discuss the insights shared throughout the day. Overall, the event was a successful gathering of like-minded individuals, all committed to working towards a more sustainable future.
