Framework agreement with VUB and ULB in support of the energy transition

Framework agreement with VUB and ULB in support of the energy transition

Sibelga has concluded a framework agreement with the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) to strengthen research, stimulate innovation and attract talent that will help us meet the energy challenges that Brussels is facing.

Unity gives us strength

Faced with the growing challenges posed by the energy transition, cooperation between public, academic and industrial players is more essential than ever. It is with this in mind that Sibelga is strengthening its ties with the academic world through a structured partnership with VUB and ULB. This framework agreement reflects a shared desire to carry out practical innovation projects and unmask the talents that will help to shape the energy landscape of tomorrow.

A win-win partnership

This collaboration is based on two pillars:

  • Research & development: by pooling their expertise, the three partners are committed to working together to explore applied research topics, directly linked to the needs of the Brussels network and to the universities' areas of excellence.
  • Attracting talent: the partnership welcomes interns, encourages student exchanges and fosters the participation of Sibelga's exports in lessons and on panels, building sustainable bridges between academia and the realities of the outside world.

Initiatives already underway

This partnership is a continuation of programmes that have already been run in collaboration with the academic world. In particular, Sibelga has contributed to projects on electric mobility, energy data management and network flexibility, while regularly hosting interns and supporting students with their final theses.

With this agreement, we are strengthening our role as a partner to Brussels universities in shaping the energy of tomorrow. Our aim is not only to foster technological innovation, but also to build bridges between science and society, taking into account the concrete needs of the city and its inhabitants.

Inne Mertens, CEO Sibelga

New challenges to face together

For the next three years, our collaboration will focus on several strategic areas:

  • The development of heat networks, to optimise energy consumption and decarbonise urban heating.
  • The rise of smart grids, with a more refined management of energy flows and better integration of renewable energy.
  • The optimisation of infrastructure using artificial intelligence and advanced approaches to asset management.

This framework agreement marks a key step in our commitment to a successful energy transition in Brussels. By joining forces with VUB and ULB, we are laying the foundations for a sustainable collaboration that will drive innovation.
 

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