WaterWarmth final conference

Unlocking aquathermal energy for sustainable heating & cooling: from potential to implementation About the event How can we harness the energy potential of our rivers, lakes and other water sources for sustainable heating and cooling? Join us in Brussels for the WaterWarmth final conference, bringing together policymakers, cities, energy experts and practitioners to explore how aquathermal energy can move from potential to implementation. Drawing on experiences from the WaterWarmth project and beyond, the afternoon will showcase real-life aquathermal projects and technologies, lessons from local implementation and community engagement, and the policy and planning conditions needed to accelerate deployment across Europe. The conference takes place alongside the Heat Pump Forum 2026, with shared networking opportunities throughout the day. Programme 12:00 | Registration & networking lunch 13:30–13:40 | Welcome Dirk Blom, Province of Fryslân & WaterWarmth Project Coordinator 13:40–14:00 | Keynote – The potential of aquathermal energy in Europe Sebastian Baes, Co-founder Extraqt 14:00–15:00 | Panel Session I – Unlocking the potential of aquathermal energy in practice Local experiences, technologies, societal acceptance and real-life implementation. With Tom van Zuuk (De Fryske Marren), Colette Van Loy (REScoop.eu), Toke Kjær Christensen (NIRAS) and further speakers to be announced. 15:00–15:30 | Networking coffee break 15:30–15:50 | Keynote – A fair, sustainable, and community-driven energy future built on aquathermal energy: the story of Kortrijk Maxime Veys, Deputy Mayor for Climate, City of Kortrijk & President of De Vlaamse Waterweg (TBC) 15:50–16:50 | Panel Session II – Enabling conditions for the roll-out of heat pumps and district heating & cooling systems with aquathermal energy in the EU Policy and planning, urban and heat plans, district heating & cooling, heat pump technology and smart integration. With Ighor Van de Vyver (City of Mechelen), Thijs Van Der Meeren (De Vlaamse Waterweg / CIW), Margot Pinault (DG ENER) and Remboud van Iddekinge De Fryske Marren (TBC). 16:50–17:05 | Closing reflections Interreg North Sea Region / CPMR 17:05–17:15 | Wrap-up Dirk Blom, Province of Fryslân & WaterWarmth Project Coordinator 17:15–18:30 | Networking drinks Together with Heat Pump Forum participants 18:30–22:00 | Optional networking dinner At participants’ own expense (€75 + Eventbrite booking fees). Advance booking required during registration. Practical information 📅 Tuesday, 1 December 2026 🕛 12:00–18:30 📍 SQUARE Brussels Convention Centre, Brussels / Entrance: 1–3 Coudenberg Please register using your work email address to ensure your registration can be processed.