Platform Energy Brokers
About this good practice
Energy Brokers (EB) are neutral intermediators for district heating projects. The methodology for this intermediator was set up in the Interreg Flanders – the Netherlands project DOEN (more info on the website). After the DOEN project, the networking platform (Platform EB – more info on the website) was founded. This platform provides a community where they can gather knowledge and exchange experiences as well as follow trainings and coaching. This way, EB become better at their job: active and expert mediation to speed up local energy transition. Based on their mediation mission, they can increase the chances of success for the exchange of residual flows.
The exchange of knowledge in organized in several ways. There are monthly online Q&A sessions handling specific project questions where the experience of other EB help them to tackle their issue. There are also study visits to gain in depth understanding about a project one of the EB is working on. Study material, background information and other relevant documentation is shared on an online platform. And last but not least, all EB have access to a whatsapp group where they can drop shorter, easy to answer questions.
The platform consists of a mix of professionals from the private and public sector. Beneficiaries are local governments and private companies.
Right now the platform has around 50 members and 400 followers on LinkedIn. The monthly Q&A sessions have about 20 members present.
Resources needed
Every EB who joins the Platform organisation commits to dedicate time to actively share knowledge and good practices. This requires a small budget from some of the members with a budget of around 3000€ per year. There are 5 board members, each with a working group. They all have monthly meetings.
Evidence of success
The platform is growing every day and more and more successful district heating projects are being implemented. The neutral position of the EB helps to take away barriers and increase the willingness to share information and cooperate. EB have an indirect influence on district heating projects and not all projects come into fruition, that is why CO2 isn't actively monitored yet. In 2023 a questionnaire showed that EB's were working on 34 different projects, representing 132 beneficiaries.
Potential for learning or transfer
Other regions can fairly easily transfer this way of working to their region, even though the number of energy brokers is still quite low. The focus lies on the transfer of experience and good practices. The benefits of doing this regionally is because the local environment can be specific (other laws might be in place for example). But from time to time or in projects international exchange can be extremely beneficial to exchange experiences.
Further information
Energy brokers introduction
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Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
