The energy and climate transition in Zeeland requires a sufficient number of well-trained professionals. In addition to greening the electricity system and developing a hydrogen infrastructure, a transition is needed in the sustainable use of heat: the heat transition.
In a network exploration with HZ University of Applied Sciences and Scalda, the training needs of companies and governments were investigated. The heat transition requires knowledge of sustainable technologies such as residual heat, sustainable steam, aquathermal energy, solar thermal energy, heat pump technology, cooling systems, and heat storage. Education must focus not only on theoretical knowledge but also on the practical application of these technologies, both in industry and in the built environment.
This can be achieved through a boost to the education program on the heat transition, including new teaching setups, as a complement to the facilities at Scalda’s pilot plant in Terneuzen, Technum, HZ’s facilities in Vlissingen, and the Joint Research Center Zeeland (JRCZ) in Middelburg. The goal is to contribute to a flexible and resilient workforce and to attract talent to the chemical and broader technical sectors.
Project
The core of the project is the sustainable heat education program at vocational (MBO) and applied higher education (HBO) levels. The aim is to educate over 200 students per year in the heat transition by offering education modules and/or submodules as part of the curriculum.
The education program is closely aligned with practice. There are network meetings, contributions of real-world problems, and guest lectures. In this way, practical questions from the business community are translated into a learning environment for students and research groups. New educational setups will be developed to make the material tangible for students at HZ and Scalda.
Examples include setups for the application of aquathermal or small-scale geothermal energy in Zeeland, the use of residual heat in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen and the port of Vlissingen, or making industrial heat demand more sustainable using an electric steam generator.
Through this project, Zeeland’s heat transition is optimally supported with education, research, and a knowledge infrastructure.
