Cross_HEAT: a heating network for the Meuse–Rhine Euroregion
Cross_HEAT is a cross-border research project investigating whether residual heat from businesses and heat from the ground can be used to heat homes and businesses in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany in a sustainable manner.
Why are we investigating cross-border heat networks?
Heating homes and businesses with natural gas and oil is becoming increasingly expensive in the long term. Prices are dependent on international markets and developments over which we have little influence. This makes the energy supply less secure.
That is why we are looking at other ways to heat buildings that may be more stable and affordable in the long term. Heat is available in the region, such as residual heat from businesses and heat from the ground. By making better use of this heat, we can become less dependent on fossil fuels.
In addition, it is necessary to reduce the use of natural gas. That is why municipalities are working on an energy supply without natural gas. In the Cross_HEAT project, we are investigating whether cross-border heat networks are technically, financially, and organizationally feasible. We are looking at whether this method of heating can be a reliable and affordable alternative for homes and businesses.
What does Cross_HEAT mean for Kerkrade?
The municipality of Kerkrade is one of the municipalities participating in the project. We are working together with the municipality of Landgraaf, the city of Herzogenrath, and other partners. Together, we are making plans for cross-border cooperation and for a heat network. In the short term, nothing will change for residents; research and consultation will take place first. In the longer term, a heat network can provide sustainable and affordable heat.
What does Cross_HEAT investigate?
- The main technical, financial, legal, and social bottlenecks surrounding heat networks.
- Where and how much residual heat is available at companies.
- Whether heat from the ground (geothermal sources) can be used and whether it is possible to store heat in old mine shafts.
- Technical and financial scenarios for a heat network.
- Legal and organizational challenges in cross-border cooperation.
- We take residents' opinions into account and look at the level of support.
Duration and subsidy
The project will start in August 2025 and run for approximately three years (until mid-2028). Cross_HEAT is being carried out as part of the Interreg Meuse-Rhine (DE) program and is co-financed by the European Union with €1,193,669. The project has also received contributions from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization, and Energy of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (BE), the Ministry of Economic Affairs (NL), and the Province of Limburg (NL).
More information?
Would you like more information, or would you like to know which other partners we work with? Then go to the project page on the Interreg Meuse-Rhine website.
